Eddie Vanbitz

I only activate the non starter at home, when I leave the van at home and my keys are also at home.. When I’m away, I have the keys with me, so see no advantage in activating it.
 
When I’m away, I have the keys with me, so see no advantage in activating it.

Or more correctly, you hope you have the keys with you. What if some scrote has picked your pocket, or you drop the keys without knowing, or as the eddievanbitz blurb says, you leave them under your towel while you go swimming or have a shower onsite etc?

Perhaps belt and braces, but I set it every time I leave the van now, after all, it only takes moments to unblock the system.
 
Or more correctly, you hope you have the keys with you. What if some scrote has picked your pocket, or you drop the keys without knowing, or as the eddievanbitz blurb says, you leave them under your towel while you go swimming or have a shower onsite etc?

Perhaps belt and braces, but I set it every time I leave the van now, after all, it only takes moments to unblock the system.

I suppose, but highly unlikely IMO. Unless you keep the site and pitch number of your van on your keyring. or maybe someone chooses to follow you from your van and watch you all day till you decide to leave the keys under your towel. I agree that it’s easy to unblock, even easier with the new app. But security is always at odds with convenience. So when I have the keys with me I’ll not bother to block it.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I just click my keys 🔑 onto my cock ring


11E569C1-28E8-41FA-870A-BD62375BB640.jpeg
 
I have had quite a few issues with the non starter and this is a reflection on the product only not the aftersales from Vanbitz which has been exceptional as always. The issue for me is that it keeps randomly activating without me doing anything, the last time it did this was when i last drove my motorhome back to the dealers mid march to get some warranty work done. I pulled into a fuel station about 30mins away and filled as usual but then when i went to start it the same thing happens when you actually arm it ie nothing on the ignition. I had a backup fob which i then found out the battery was dead (that's my fault as forgot to set a reminder to replace the batteries), luckily i still had signal and even though the app said it was NOT Blocked of course it was as the same thing happened when i got stranded in Portugal a couple of years ago so this is now the first thing i check. Sending the unblock command then worked which didnt help at the time when drivers are queuing behind trying to get in and beaping etc, it was snowing to make things worse and tensions were high trying to get going as quickly as possible. You shouldn't need a fob to disarm something that you have not armed in the first place.

Metatrak on the other hand have been less than helpful with their replies saying it can happen as it's an electrical product so its to be expected that issue's arise. I don't accept that when it keeps on happening and from what I can see on the forums nobody else has had this issue. I've already had the unit swapped out so thats not going to help now. I haven't seen my motorhome for the last few months as its been at the dealers getting the warranty work sorted so not been able to see if its still happening but i can bet it is as nothing has changed.

I only ever arm the vehicle when it's at home as thats when i think it's more likely to be stolen, i never arm it when i am away in it but this seems to be when it's happening.

I have no idea how to fix this and nor does metatrak which in itself is a little worrying, but this is just from my personal experience. Metatrak have waved some of the subscriptions but i made it clear i would rather pay for it and have it working than not pay for it and it keeps failing.

It's far from a perfect product and if i had something else that protected my vehicle when it's parked at home for me this would be ripped out immediately but i don't and then there's the cost that has already been spent on purchasing it in the first place. When it works it's amazing but when it doesnt it will be at the worst time ever which is really when you need it to work most.
 
Last edited:
I have had quite a few issues with the non starter and this is a reflection on the product only not the aftersales from Vanbitz which has been exceptional as always. The issue for me is that it keeps randomly activating without me doing anything, the last time it did this was when i last drove my motorhome back to the dealers mid march to get some warranty work done. I pulled into a fuel station about 30mins away and filled as usual but then when i went to start it the same thing happens when you actually arm it ie nothing on the ignition. I had a backup fob which i then found out the battery was dead (that's my fault as forgot to set a reminder to replace the batteries), luckily i still had signal and even though the app said it was NOT Blocked of course it was as the same thing happened when i got stranded in Portugal a couple of years ago so this is now the first thing i check. Sending the unblock command then worked which didnt help at the time when drivers are queuing behind trying to get in and beaping etc, it was snowing to make things worse and tensions were high trying to get going as quickly as possible. You shouldn't need a fob to disarm something that you have not armed in the first place.

Metatrak on the other hand have been less than helpful with their replies saying it can happen as it's an electrical product so its to be expected that issue's arise. I don't accept that when it keeps on happening and from what I can see on the forums nobody else has had this issue. I've already had the unit swapped out so thats not going to help now. I haven't seen my motorhome for the last few months as its been at the dealers getting the warranty work sorted so not been able to see if its still happening but i can bet it is as nothing has changed.

I only ever arm the vehicle when it's at home as thats when i think it's more likely to be stolen, i never arm it when i am away in it but this seems to be when it's happening.

I have no idea how to fix this and nor does metatrak which in itself is a little worrying, but this is just from my personal experience. Metatrak have waved some of the subscriptions but i made it clear i would rather pay for it and have it working than not pay for it and it keeps failing.

It's far from a perfect product and if i had something else that protected my vehicle when it's parked at home for me this would be ripped out immediately but i don't and then there's the cost that has already been spent on purchasing it in the first place. When it works it's amazing but when it doesnt it will be at the worst time ever which is really when you need it to work most.
I too have had the engine blocker come on at least twice in fuel stations.

The first time it happens it can take a while to figure out what has happened, however as we are regular users of the engine blocker it was the first thing I looked at.

It has happened at least once since, I'm now ready for it.
But it does mean that you must travel with your mobile phone and know how to unblock the blocker.
 
I too have had the engine blocker come on at least twice in fuel stations.

The first time it happens it can take a while to figure out what has happened, however as we are regular users of the engine blocker it was the first thing I looked at.

It has happened at least once since, I'm now ready for it.
But it does mean that you must travel with your mobile phone and know how to unblock the blocker.
It seems as though this is more common than i was lead to believe, these devices should never arm when you've not done it yourself and to me that points to a bug in the software/hardware which should be addressed. As mentioned you shouldn't have to carry additional hardware to unblock something that you have not blocked in the first place. For me the most stressful was a couple of years ago when i was stranded in Portugal (there is a thread on here somewhere) which caused no end of troubles and high stress levels. All because it had armed it self when entering a site after turning off the ignition.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
  • Like
Reactions: Aji
I had an issue that happened a few times where the van wouldn't start after sending the unblock command, in the end this was found to be the chip in the key working intermittently, changed to the spare key and no more issues, it may be worth eliminating this as a possible cause.
 
I had an issue that happened a few times where the van wouldn't start after sending the unblock command, in the end this was found to be the chip in the key working intermittently, changed to the spare key and no more issues, it may be worth eliminating this as a possible cause.
I think you have misread, the van does start when sent the unblock command even though its not blocked to start with so changing the key will have no effect. I always carry both keys anyway just in case i lose one set but it doesnt help with this issue as thats down to the non starter itself.
 
It seems as though this is more common than i was lead to believe, these devices should never arm when you've not done it yourself and to me that points to a bug in the software/hardware which should be addressed. As mentioned you shouldn't have to carry additional hardware to unblock something that you have not blocked in the first place. For me the most stressful was a couple of years ago when i was stranded in Portugal (there is a thread on here somewhere) which caused no end of troubles and high stress levels. All because it had armed it self when entering a site after turning off the ignition.

My guess is it's basically a simple switch.
The way it will switch off and on will be a small electric pulse to a magnet that simply flips the switch.

If you drive over a metal strip in the road, of the type found in petrol stations and camp sites that alert the custodians to your arrival, or to open gates, then the signal sent to their bell or gate is simply flipping your blocker switch.

I cant think of an easy way around this, as it's a security device designed to be activated with very little input.

Now you know of the issue, it's very easy to resolve each time it happens.
 
Last edited:
My guess is it's basically a simple switch.
The way it will switch off and on will be a small electric pulse to a magnet that simply flips the switch.

If you drive over a metal strip in the road, of the type found in petrol stations and camp sites that alert the custodians to your arrival, or to open gates, then the signal sent to their bell or gate is simply flipping your blocker switch.

I cant think of an easy way around this, as it's a security device designed to be activated with very little input.

Know you know of the issue, it's very easy to resolve each time it happens.
Its only easy if you have a signal and or a fob with good batteries in, not heard of this explanation before but still interesting.
 
I've had a couple of problems with the non starter, drove onto the Eurotunnel train and switched off engine, train arrived at Folkestone and I was unable to restart the engine initially.
Went through thay system restart, unblock etc , no joy. Tried the key fob, no joy.
Vehicles were now having to reverse off the train.
Just before the Eurotunnel towing vehicle arrived the engine started, this was 20mins after the first vehicles drove off the train.
Two days later filled up with fuel, turned the key, nothing again.
Went through the system reset , key fob etc. 30mins later the engine started.
No further problems.
System was installed on a new van Aug 2021.
Van batteries all good, key fob battery good.
Meta Trak app installed on Samsung S21 phone.
When will it happen next?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
  • Informative
Reactions: zac
I've had a couple of problems with the non starter, drove onto the Eurotunnel train and switched off engine, train arrived at Folkestone and I was unable to restart the engine initially.
Went through thay system restart, unblock etc , no joy. Tried the key fob, no joy.
Vehicles were now having to reverse off the train.
Just before the Eurotunnel towing vehicle arrived the engine started, this was 20mins after the first vehicles drove off the train.
Two days later filled up with fuel, turned the key, nothing again.
Went through the system reset , key fob etc. 30mins later the engine started.
No further problems.
System was installed on a new van Aug 2021.
Van batteries all good, key fob battery good.
Meta Trak app installed on Samsung S21 phone.
When will it happen next?
This is very very similar to my experience, i have so far (before i knew what it was) called out 2 breakdowns in the UK and both times by the time they arrived the van started. At that time i had no idea it could have been the metatrak device as i assumed that if i had not armed it then it would not do it itself. As mentioned earlier this appears to be more wide spread than just my unit as i initially thought, i even took video's of the sequence to show what it was doing and checking battery volts etc etc. I was in Portugal when it happened a couple of years ago and i got stranded and after multiple mechanics the penny finally dropped when he said nothing was getting to the starter motor. At that time i had no way of disarming it so eventually i got hold of Eddie and managed to bypass it, as soon as that happened it started straight away but on this occasion unlike the others it was not starting no matter how long it was left for.
 
I am wondering if metatrak know about the issue which is why fobs are now being issued although I believe this is an additional cost which from the looks of it should be included. Although you mention you had a fob and that didnt work and if that is correct then that is a worry.
 
Well that's put me off a non starter!
But how many of us experience NO problems, sure I’ve had the same on a previous van, only once mind, I just unblocked it again and away it went, this non starter on the carthago is faultless up to now. I wouldn’t have a van without one👍
 
Well that's put me off a non starter!
It's not a problem, as long as you know it could potentially happen.

If it does happen it literally take 5 seconds to fix and all the tools you need are your mobile phone or a key fob.

From a security point of view they are an excellent investment.
 
But how many of us experience NO problems, sure I’ve had the same on a previous van, only once mind, I just unblocked it again and away it went, this non starter on the carthago is faultless up to now. I wouldn’t have a van without one👍
I think that comes down to choice as if you know what a product is and how its going to behave the good and the bad then its a personal choice. I don't recall anywhere reading that the device may enable randomly when you least expect it, as i said i only ever arm this when at home but getting stuck somewhere for the first time not knowing what it is can be a lot more stressful especially when leaving a train or boat as one user has already said. All mine have been either in fuel stations or campsites but if that happened when say getting of the Galicia ferry and there are 100's of cars/vans etc waiting to get off then it becomes a lot more real.
 
It's not a problem, as long as you know it could potentially happen.

If it does happen it literally take 5 seconds to fix and all the tools you need are your mobile phone or a key fob.

From a security point of view they are an excellent investment.
This is not strictly correct as my event in Portugal did not work no matter how many commands i sent to it, the only way to get the van started was to bypass it physically. This was before i had the option of the fob though so i dont know if that would have worked but if you read post 45 they also could not get their van started after sending the commands and using the fob.
 
I am wondering if metatrak know about the issue which is why fobs are now being issued although I believe this is an additional cost which from the looks of it should be included. Although you mention you had a fob and that didnt work and if that is correct then that is a worry.
I think Meta Trak have stopped issuing fobs, only App based control now.
 
I think Meta Trak have stopped issuing fobs, only App based control now.
Metatrak sent me a fob when i had the issues in Portugal when i got back to reassure me that if the app didnt work i could fall back on the fob

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
But how many of us experience NO problems, sure I’ve had the same on a previous van, only once mind, I just unblocked it again and away it went, this non starter on the carthago is faultless up to now. I wouldn’t have a van without one👍
Glad you have not had any problems.
I've lost a bit of confidence with this system.
 
The new App allows you to unblock using the app so very easily sorted. I've never had the system auto arm on me, but wouldn't be happy if it did. I hope Meta are working on it.
 
I think that comes down to choice as if you know what a product is and how its going to behave the good and the bad then its a personal choice. I don't recall anywhere reading that the device may enable randomly when you least expect it, as i said i only ever arm this when at home but getting stuck somewhere for the first time not knowing what it is can be a lot more stressful especially when leaving a train or boat as one user has already said. All mine have been either in fuel stations or campsites but if that happened when say getting of the Galicia ferry and there are 100's of cars/vans etc waiting to get off then it becomes a lot more real.
Try buying a £25k Harley Davidson and park anywhere near a mast, you cannot get the alarm or the immobiliser off! Once 18 of us went over to Zeebrugge all filled up with fuel except ONE guy so we had to stop at a fuel station in Belgium, anyway he filled up and 13 of the bikes wouldn’t start, we had to shove em down the road INTO someone’s private garage to shield them from the cop shops mast up behind the fuel station!! The guy said it isn’t the Fiat set of Harley’s in his garage!
I guess with that much tech being used now, one will cancel the other, be it alarms, immobilisers and even remotes. You just have to have plan B to get the things going again, my non starter will unlock via Bluetooth with my app on the phone nearby, but I haven’t had to use it yet, it’s flawless up to now (fitted in sept last year and I believe it’s the newer version, but I could be wrong).
 
The new App allows you to unblock using the app so very easily sorted. I've never had the system auto arm on me, but wouldn't be happy if it did. I hope Meta are working on it.
The app that i have had has always allowed block and unblock, i have the latest app and it doesnt look any different unless i am looking in the wrong place which i certainly could be.
 
The new App allows you to unblock using the app so very easily sorted. I've never had the system auto arm on me, but wouldn't be happy if it did. I hope Meta are working on it.
I believe you can call meta and have it turned off from auto arm, to self arm. They sort it remotely👍
I’m using the latest meta trak plus app.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top