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MG MGF Technical - Volumetric Alarm Thingy

Am I correct in believing the import F's don't have the volumetric interior protection sensor (no crime in the far east?) If so would I just be able to plug one in, or is it not plug and play???

Rich

This has cropped up before and I seem to remember that you can add it to the existing system but it requires Testbook so only an MGR dealer can do it.

Ted
Ted Newman

Cheers Ted... looks like more money for my local rip off MGR dealer then!
Rich

Yep

But look at the money you saved by buying an import! I assume this is a Japanese Import as I think they are the only ones without the full alarm.

Ted
Ted Newman

The sensor is missing from jap cars as it's illegal over there, i believe it costs about £35 as a part, and is easy to fit yourself, the wiring is there already, must do this myself actualy
Kingsley

Kingsley

The reason for the Testbook is because the system has been told the sensor is not there so the system need to be told you have fitted it - it is not (unfortunately) PnP.

Ted
Ted Newman

Just rang my local helpfull Mgr dealer and its £86.34 for the sensor and £17.94 for the harness... which apparently I need. Oh and thats not including the pleasure of giving her majesty some money as well.
Looks like it might be a trip to Midlands MGF then!
Rich

I know you still need testbook, but was saying fitting it's a diy job, i'm sure this part must easily be available from breakers, as there's little chance of it being damaged in a crash.
Kingsley

I am not an IT specialist BUT I get worried that fitting this thing without having Testbook to reprogram the alarm ECU will cause it to say 'B*****S' some one is trying to by pass the security - and then it just shuts down and you have to get it towed to the MG dealer.

I am sure people more qualified than me (Will) will (no pun intended) be able to say!

Ted
Ted Newman

I have fitted a vol sensor to my import - very easy.
The wiring is already in the car - the connector is tucked in behind the T Bar. The later sensors have different connectors to the early ones, so I got a 2nd hand later sensor with the connector from the later car, then just cut off the connector in my car and joined the wires.
The sensor worked straight away, but the sensitivity was too low, so a trip was needed to the dealers to get the sensitivity altered via testbook.
Jason H
Jason H

Rich,
forgot to say......I belive their have been at least 3 types of connectors for the sensor, hence if you buy a 2nd hand sensor you cannot be sure that the wiring harness adapter from Rover will b the right one for your sensor - the reason why I "adapted" the connector the way I did.
Jason H
Jason H

Interesting comments there guys...

Completely tangential - it is interesting to note that a large number of earlier cars are suffering from poor sensitivity of the volumetric sensor (you have to jump up and down in front of the sensor to get it to trigger the alarm in my car!

Is this something that can be sorted through Testbook? And does anyone have a tame dealership that doesn't charge the earth for the pleasure of resetting the sensitivity?
Rob Bell

Funny you should say that Rob.

If for example I had my top down and set the volumetric alarm, how quickly should the volumetric alarm sound if someone leant into the car to pick up something left on a seat (not that I would ever do this, just a hypothetical). Should the alarm sound immediately?

If it should then I guess the sensitivity on my early F is set too low, as is yours Rob.

Jim
Jim Hosking

As I understand it the sensor gets more sensitive the longer it is set and it certainly takes a minute or two to become active.

Also one should remember that on long term parking certain parts of the alarm shut themselves down - to minimise battery drain.

Ted
Ted Newman

Rob,
Testbook can set the sensitivity of the sensor - took my dealer anout 15 mins, but most of that was the time for the alarm to set and then test the sensor by reaching in through an open window - it was a bit of trial and error - cost me about £20 I think.
Jason H
Jason H

Thanks for that Jason - the cost isn't too crippling either. I guess I'll have to find some time to get over to a dealership and see when they can fit my car in.
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 07/11/2002 and 08/11/2002

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