Lifeline 2000 issue

[carsreunited]

Has anyone else directly experienced the following problem.

I have the above plumbed in electrical system in my car. At Brands Hatch on Sunday just before going out to qualify, I set the control box to the 'armed' position. The red light displayed, my attention then turned to going out on track. Approximately 60 secs later, I could feel my right foot getting wet and could hear a hissing noise. I looked down and was greeted with the sight of foam being squirted all over my foot. I then noticed the engine bay was experiencing the same treatment and rapidly turned the engine off.

At all times, my hands were on the steering wheel and none of the buttons to activate the system had been touched.

My system was purchased in Feb 2004 and was serviced last month. After performing a continuity test, the control box seems to be at fault. It won't give a green light when in 'system isolated' and any activation button pressed.

I will be contacting lifeline to find out what they are going to do but just wanted to find out if this has happened elsewhere. One other competitor had experienced the same thing so there must be others out there.

Had it not been for assistance in the paddock and friendly scrutineers, my £220 entry, £120 tow car fuel and weekend would have been completely lost.

Scott

[greenamex2]

I have a manual extinguisher and has now leaked all by itself for the third time. This all seems to have started after it's first major service and I suspect it is due to an incorrect part being fitted as the activation pin seems a bit long.

I'll let you know what Lifeline say about my issue.

Pity I didn't know about a possible problem with the electric extinguishers, I've just bought a zero 360 system for the kit car on the basis is would be more reliable in a vehicle that is kept outside!

[Tainan]

Originally Posted by carsreunited

Has anyone else directly experienced the following problem.


My system was purchased in Feb 2004 and was serviced last month. After performing a continuity test, the control box seems to be at fault. It won't give a green light when in 'system isolated' and any activation button pressed.

Scott

I had this fault earlier this year and found a wire had dis-connected from the control box socket. Fortunately my extinguishant stayed in its bottle though!

[greenamex2]

Just got my extinguisher back from Lifeline.

They found the fault (a faulty washer under the firing head) and rectified FOC.

No attempt to cover my postage though.

Sort of happy at the moment but if it fails again I'll be seriously considering moving to another make. If it hadn't been for a classic thunder runner (Cheers Ashley) lending me his extinguisher I would either have missed a race at the cost of 170 pounds and more effort than you can possibly imagine or lost a days wages taking it to Lifeline.

[carsreunited]

Lifeline have told me that there is nothing wrong with my control box or Bottle. I've yet to see if I'm going to be charged anything.

A staff member initially intimated that water can get into the external activation button and cause it to go off. Not too sure if that happened to mine as it was bone dry but you have to ask yourself, what is the point of an external button that can't get wet?

[carsreunited]

I have got it back and been relieved of £120 for a refill.

I was told that there was nothing wrong with the control box or the bottle. I was also told that the control box shouldn't be placed near any power feeds or other electrical bits. (Mine was placed on a pedestal that has the main ignition switch etc) The reason being that the proximity to these things can cause the system to set off.

Now, I'm not sure if that is in the installation instructions as I don't have them to hand but if you have a lifeline electrical system, I would call them to clarify. Mines going to be fitted to the floor now away from the pedestal and hopefully that won't cause a problem.

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt but if it goes off again then I'll be looking for a full refund.

[carsreunited]

You are going to love this. I've just fitted the bottle and programming box (which is away from anything electrical), put it into the armed position and it immediately discharged itself. I'm mega ****ed off as I'm supposed to be racing at Rockingham tomorrow. I will be taking the car to Lifeline on Monday and they can tell me why their system is ruining my season.

[Al Weyman]

Spare packed in the car Scott, good luck.

[Eddy V]

I guess it is not only a Lifeline problem, we had this happen some time ago with some Sparco stuff.
It seems that when they state "armed" it really means armed.

The same for us, nothing done wrong and still it went off.

[carsreunited]

That's interesting to know. I'm tempted to revert to a manual sytem.

[Al Weyman]

I would Craig, cheaper and less fuss the way I look at it and if all else fails as you see today if the scruts are generous you can still use it as a manual jobbie.

[carsreunited]

I think you are right. I'll invite them to fit one to my car FOC.

[greenamex2]

Originally Posted by Eddy V

I guess it is not only a Lifeline problem, we had this happen some time ago with some Sparco stuff.
It seems that when they state "armed" it really means armed.

The same for us, nothing done wrong and still it went off.

I thought Sparco was just a rebadged Lifeline system?

[dtype38]

Originally Posted by Denis Bassom

I thought Sparco was just a rebadged Lifeline system?

Ditto... I didn't think Sparco actually make anything (bit like Tesco). Certainly my Sparco harness came with Sabelt FIA labels on it

[Eddy V]

You are right. Sparco buys most of it's materials elsewhere.
Anyhow, the bottle that went off wasn't Lifeline, or maybe even Sparco. I've forgotten really .

But the point is: it went off when it shouldn't have.