Folks,

When I bought my bus I got an immobiliser fitted as a condition of the insurance. Since then a number of problems have come to light - all of which are covered in the archives. Firstly - I have the ignition key problem where the barrel is knackered allowing you to remove the key. Not too much of a problem (as long as you rember to push the key release button to turn the ignition all the way off, rather than leaving auxilliary power on all the time - which feeds, among other things, the clock). However, at the time I was unaware of that little quirk (hadn't discovered this site yet) and neither was the alarm fitter. He has wired the main power feed to the immobiliser from an auxilliary power feed, because he was turning the key as far as it could go an taking it out (not realising that he shouldn't have been able to remove the key if the barrel was working!). When I now turn off the electrics properly before removing the key, power to the immobiliser dies and it obviously stops working.

I also have the voltage drop problem to the starter (current thinking on the archives seems to suggest that immobilisers can cause this). I have rigged a by-pass so that I can use my rescue pack (small 12v car battery with jump leads attached, plus lights etc - a nifty gadget) to start the bus without having to get under the bus (or even open the 'bonnet').

Anyway - my question is, before I open up the ignition wiring the either fix or remove the Immobiliser, has anybody got any wiring diagrams of the bus for the ignition systems? Mine is a 1990 MasterAce Surf diesel turbo auto 4wd. Cheers,

- (#11565) John Tuck, 8 Nov 03 2:32

jhon get a new key cut i had the same thing happen with my ace new key wont come out until release button pressed sa for the immobiliser take it back to the fitter to sort. constant 12v on glow plug relay take from thire hope this helps
- (#11566) jason, 9 Nov 03 12:13

the 'acc lock' isn't peculiar to Townaces. It is a common feature on many Toyota cars. Despite your key being worn, the fitter should have identified a better power source than the one he did. Ok a simple mistake but the mistake is his and for him to fix. Thatcham rated immobilisers are supposed to be fitted to a standard so if he doesn't fix it then threaten to report him to the standard's board.

- (#11567) Ian Dunse, 10 Nov 03 2:25

Wiring diagrams? I've looked at many for Spacecruiser/Tarago, US Van, Europe spec 93+ Townace and even started drawing my own in the online Ace Handbook. I hope to provide Ace Handbook links to a lot more along that line soon.
I think the general conclusion is that general "wiring diagrams" is a lost cause - there are so many options among "Townaces" and even two nominally identical ones can have been made in different batches and have different wire colours.
With a diesel however there is no "ignition" wiring of course and I'm fascinated NEVER to have seen, in any schematic, reference to the crucial solenoid operated fuel-cut-off-disable on the fuel pump, which I presume is one component of immobilising - and perhaps why not much is published about it?

- (#11668) Dave Mason (Sussex), 10 Nov 03 3:54