Ghost Technical Support
If you're looking for Autowatch Ghost technical support - Car Theft Solutions can help. Below you'll find official advice by Autowatch themselves on how to deal with common problems you may run into with a Ghost Immobiliser. If you're still experiencing any issues with one of our installations, please head over to our contact page to let us know how we can help!
Changing Your Disarm Sequence / PIN Code
Changing your PIN code / disarm sequence can be done whenever you wish, but please keep this information in mind as you will need to know this before being able to change your disarm sequence successfully.
- What buttons are available on your vehicle - this information should have been provided to you by your installer because vehicle models and specs vary.
- Check the list under the "Having Trouble?" section to see if your car is possibly using an alternative to the accelerator input.
- What is your indicator signal and how quickly does it respond - Some vehicles feature slow indicator lights that are fine with normal operation but might be confusing while in sequence change mode; see the "Having Trouble?" section for more examples.
- Each button click must be within 2 seconds of the preceding one, or the Ghost will consider the sequence completed.
- Certain buttons are only active for the first 5 seconds after the ignition is turned on.
- Some buttons require a long press (half a second) before they will work; a short push will not work.
- The disarm sequence can consist of 4 to 20 presses of any of the functional buttons, and the sequence can be repeated.
- The service/valet button, on the other hand, can only be used up to four times during the disarm sequence.
- Before you begin - make sure you know what you wish for your new sequence to be!
To begin, you must have either the usual disarm sequence or the emergency override code (on the card).
If you have forgotten your disarm sequence or it's not working as expected, you can use the emergency code included on the black card that came with your Ghost. The 4 digit number under the scratch off area is the one you're looking for. To utilise this, follow the instructions in the Emergency Code help section.
If you're having unexpected problems or are looking for some more information in relation to technical support for your Autowatch Ghost:
- To enter the right mode on a new BMW (G chassis), swiftly press the start button three times until diagnostic mode is enabled and the instrument lamps turn on.
- If the procedure fails, you should always be able to utilise the old disarm sequence, which will not be erased at any point.
- Alternative inputs for accelerators include:
- Porsche vehicles prior to 2018: push and hold the hazard switch to simulate pressing and holding the accelerator.
- For some Audi / VW / SEAT / Skoda / Bentley - use the high-beam flasher if the accelerator does not function (pull towards the driver).
- Certain Range Rover / Land Rover / Jaguar models after 2017 - if the accelerator does not work, use the high-beam flasher (pull towards the driver).
- Step 3 (push and hold accelerator) must be moved to the end of the disarm code repeat on vehicles that employ the accelerator as part of the disarm sequence.
- Ignition is defined as when all of the instrument lamps turn on and off and the car is completely operational. On some vehicles, this may need two clicks of the start button without your foot on the clutch or brake.
Autowatch Ghost "Service / Valet" Mode
Service / valet mode allows you to hand over the keys to your car to someone without having to give them your disarm sequence. They will learn that your vehicle is guarded by the Ghost in this manner. Employ this option when you take your car in for service or valet parking. Here are a few crucial points concerning service mode:
- Provides for an unlimited number of starts and drives without the need of the disarm sequence.
- Switches off all key learning protection (this remains active even after the Ghost has been disarmed!)
- You can manually exit or your Ghost Immobiliser will automatically exit when driven for a reasonable amount of time.
- Use your disarm sequence or the mobile app to disable the system.
- Drive to and park at the dealership, airport, valet, or other location, and while the engine is still running, turn off the app and push your service button 5 times.
- The indicator lamp will flash five times to confirm that service / valet mode has been selected.
- Simply follow your standard disarm procedure (must have an ignition cycle since service mode was entered)
- Your normal 2 flash confirmation on regular disarms should take effect.
- Next time your ignition is powered off, the Autowatch Ghost will rearm itself as normal.
- Driving up to 31mph (50km/h).
- Continous driving at any speed for a consecutive 15 minutes.
- Once time has elapsed, you will notice the 2 flashes to indicate your service / valet mode is no longer active.
Please note - if you switch your ignition off before the 15 minute time frame has elapsed, your Autowatch Ghost will stay in service / valet mode.
If you're unsure what your service button is, please contact us.
Problems Entering Your Disarm Sequence
These suggestions are useful if you are attempting to input your disarm sequence, and you're not receiving your two flash confirmation that the Ghost has been disarmed:
- Is there anything that needs to be in a specific position before entering the code? (mirror adjustment, cruise control on, fan on etc.)
- Are you waiting for the two flash confirmations before proceeding?
- Wait 5 seconds before attempting to enter the disarm sequence; if that does not work, wait 10 seconds after turning on the ignition before attempting the disarm sequence.
- Check that you have full ignition turned on, not just accessory power. The dash lights should all illuminate before turning out for the most part.
Lastly, if none of the above are functioning, try the following:
- Use the four-digit emergency code located behind the scratch-off area on the reverse of the emergency code (check card for details).
- Remove the vehicle battery for 2 minutes and repeat the procedure.
Problems With Your Start / Stop
Modern cars' stop/start eco mode is an extremely intricate and sensitive mechanism that requires only the right inputs to function properly. They include battery voltage, engine temperature, outside temperature, which electrical systems are operational, and many more factors. When the system does not function as planned, it might be difficult to determine what is causing the problem.
In virtually many circumstances, the problem is not caused by Ghost, but here are a few things you can try if you are having a problem and suspect it is caused by Ghost. Alternatively, if your engine does not restart when the stop/start button is depressed, you can do a separate test, as detailed below.
When you engage service / valet mode, your Ghost is effectively unplugged from the vehicle. This will help you to determine whether the Ghost is interfering with the stop/start capabilities. Follow these measures to ensure that the vehicle is ready for the test.
- Without entering service mode, start and drive normally. Check that the vehicle is warm (20 minutes) and that the battery is fully charged. If your car hasn't been driven much recently or the battery is old, make sure it's fully charged before attempting this test.
- Check that the stop/start function is not operating as planned. In many cars, the infotainment system has a menu that will provide some insight into why the system is not working.
- Place the Ghost in service / valet mode by pressing the service button 5 times. Make sure you get the 5 flashes to ensure that this worked.
- Switch off the ignition and lock the car, wait 60 seconds.
- Start without entering the disarm sequence (PIN code)
- Test the stop/start operation again. If it is still not working, it is most likely not a Ghost issue.
If the stop/start function is intermittently working but the engine will not restart, try the following:
- Before you begin, wait for the two flashes of disarm confirmation.
- If it does not resolve the issue, repeat the steps above to see whether the issue is caused by Ghost by running the service / valet mode test.
- If you notice intermittent flashes of the indicator whilst you're driving, please contact Car Theft Solutions if it was installed by us.
- If your Ghost Immobiliser was not installed by us, please contact your installation company as there may be a physical problem with either the installation or the Ghost unit itself.
Problems After Entering Disarm Sequence / PIN
If you are having trouble beginning after entering your disarm sequence (PIN code) and receiving your two flash confirmations, try the following methods.
Symptoms include continual cranking without starting or the ignition going off before beginning. This is occasionally required for newer VAG vehicles such as the S3, SQ5, Golf mk7.5 GTI, and so on.
Process 1:
- Switch on your ignition.
- Enter the disarm sequence / PIN code.
- Wait for the two flash confirmation(s).
- Press the "Service" button five times to place the vehicle into service / valet mode.
- Wait for the five flash confirmation(s).
- Turn off your ignition.
- Toggle the ignition on and off (without attempting to start it) five times.
- Start your engine.
- If working as expected - you can now enter the disarm sequence / PIN code to exit service / valet mode.
Process 2:
- Switch on your ignition.
- Enter the disarm sequence / PIN code.
- Wait for the two flash confirmation(s).
- Do not start your engine, and siwtch off the ignition.
- Wait for roughly one minute.
- Switch your ignition back on.
- Enter the disarm sequence / PIN code again.
- Wait for the two flash confirmation(s).
- Start your engine.
