MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Police Mode Update

I have taken some screenshots during Police Mode configuration using T4, as some dealers are still denying it exists!

You can print it off and take it to your dealer and show him how to do it ;-)

Take a peek at http://forums.mg-rover.org/viewtopic.php?TopicID=1049
Dave

So what's the benefit? Is it an approved modification by MGR? Does it affect warranty? Should an MGR franchise be messing around with ECU's?
Rock & A Hardplace

IT'S all in the archives......
David

(i) Torque appears to come in lower down (ii) It's there, so why not? (iii) No (iv) Yes, if they know what they are doing ;-)
Dave

Hi All,

I have just had a very surprising conversation with the supplier of my ZS180 re- police mode. I booked the car in with them yesterday for next week to have a couple of minor things sorted plus get the car set to Police mode. They had not heard of this. I told them I would bring in screen shots of what is required and suggested they might want to check it out with MGR.

Apparently they did just that. They (Arriva in High Wycombe) have just rung me and told me that according to MGR, police mode disables the immobiliser system (as the police don't want to have problems with this when setting off in hot persuit!) and has NO effect on performance.

Don't shoot the messenger here! I am as gobsmacked as you probably are. Has anyone on the BB spoken to MGR themselves and been told that the EMS is remapped etc.?

Confused,

Chris.
Chris

The perfect mod for a "Joy Rider" - "THIEF MODE" thanks for the tip!
Scumbag

Chris...my dealer told me same thing.

I have my ZR+120 in Police Mode (have had for few months now).

However, after the pre-determined time the immobiliser does start to flash and when I turn the key from 0 right through to 3 in one quick motion, there is the usual slight delay before the engine starts, suggesting the immobiliser is awaiting authorisation before releasing the engine.

Check yours too.
Findlay

Chris...on the subject of mappings, Roger Parker produced an excellent article not all that long ago but now in the BB archive. Search for "ZR160 Police Mode". I think you're queries will be answered there.

Findlay
Findlay

Although the link at the top seems to be broken i can't help thinking what will the insurance company thats underwriting the free insurance will think about the immobilizer being being deactivated?????
I really must question the logic of anyone having this questionable mod done to their car.If you want to drive faster have some driver tuition,it makes more sense than police mode.

Peter Hitchens
Peter Hitchens

So what's the gen Dave. Is it an improvement that Findlay and yourself insist it is?

Yours

Curious of Edinburgh!
Curious

Peter

I've just had a go at that link and it didn't work for me too? Is there a problem with that Forum at the moment?
Curious

curious,I recall roger parker mentioning that their were concerns with ZR security,maybe its police mode cars that get nicked-with DR Dave showing how to do it;O)
Peter Hitchens

The link works, but for some reason when you click on it on the buletin board it changes the "?" to its URL encoded %3F value. Click on the link and replace the %3F with a question mark (or type the link into your browser manually)
Richard

Two bits of feedback on this - one from "The Management" at the factory and one from my dealer "Kernahan of Witney."

Both say the same - it immobilises the "Imobiliser" - PERIOD.

Jerry Flint

More info can be found on the Forum!
Jerry Flint

well i tried my immobiliser on my "police mode" 160 and..............yep it had armed passively.
To try remove the fob from key ring as this has a built in transponder which sends a signal to the ignition. If the fob is off the key ring (leave it on the roof) the car will not start with just the key.
rob

Jerry...the evidence stacking up in us 'Police Moders' favour is growing.

Perhaps now is the time to consider that your sources are wrong. Either that or we're all just a bunch of crooks!

F
F

OK

Would like the chance to finally reply on this.

Martin Kernahan (MD of Kernahan of Witney). Researched this at Longbridge and was told that the ECU reprogamme gives nothing in performance (in fact only a problem with security). I believe him, furthermore in light of MG's endeavour to increase performance I know they would have reprogrammed more power on the line if they could.

POLICE MODE - is a security mode!

The Manager at MGR, Longbridge said exactly the same. Who am to believe? You KNOW the answer.

Finally, a thought (MGR) do trawl the Forums, what about insurance companies!
Jerry Flint

If what you say is true then the police moders have nothing to fear from insurance companies trawling thru this and other BBS boards. After all, you have it categorically stated that police mode turns off the immobiliser whereas rob, I and others can categorically confirm that our immobilisers still work! So using your angle, we're not in police mode and so no problem.

This means Roger Parker provided that lengthy article on police mode outlining the benefits (particularly to the VVC engine) for fun and he is in fact lying through his back teeth.

Although I don't know Rog in any shape or form, I have no information to suggest he's anything other than a very helpful resource. Secondly, I saw my dealer install police mode. Thirdly, my immobiliser still works.

Let's just agree to disagree and have done with it!

F
F

This means Roger Parker provided that lengthy article on police mode outlining the benefits (particularly to the VVC engine) for fun and he is in fact lying through his back teeth.

<<<<I don't think Roger would be doing it for fun. However, I do disagree on the benefits >>>>

Although I don't know Rog in any shape or form, I have no information to suggest he's anything other than a very helpful resource. Secondly, I saw my dealer install police mode. Thirdly, my immobiliser still works.

<<<<I never said you didn't have POLICE MODE installed - my point is that POLICE MODE, isn't a performance enhancement you suggest it is>>>>

Let's just agree to disagree and have done with it!

<<<<I agree on your last suggestion>>>>

Happy MGing.



Jerry

Just to throw a spanner in the works.
"Police mode" actually known as "UK Police" on the Diagnostic Tool, does not have any effect on the security settings on any of the MG Z's, nor does it have any performance enhancing properties.

Believe me...... I know!

Inthe Kno

So what does it do?
Chris

"Uk Police" does absolutely NOTHING!

The theory about the immobiliser deactivation comes from when 200/400s were used as Police vehicles. When the 200/400 were used, they did not have the "friendly Passive" feature on the alarm system as fitted currently on 25/45 and ZR/ZS. Have you noticed now that you do not have to waste time un-arming (pressing the flat button on your key plip) when trying to start your motor? This is why the immob is not deactivated by UK Police.
Inthe Kno

The immobiliser uses a transponder chip built into the remote fob which sends a signal to the ignition when it is in close proximity, this discards the need to press a button on the fob - unless both fobs are on the same keyring and this feature is cancelled and the smooth button has to be pressed to disarm.
This is in the owners handbook.
rob

This thread was discussed between 06/05/2002 and 20/05/2002

MG ZR ZS ZT Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG ZR ZS ZT Technical BBS now