Atom Immobilizer Information

**Terry Kennedy** · April 27, 2011, 03:26 AM

[I believe this unit is used on TMI and UK Atoms as well as the Brammo ones.]

The device is a "Sterling Excel" unit, and the manufacturer seems to change their name regularly. The latest is "Sterling - Part of the TOAD group of companies, now part of 21st Century Technology PLC" (which seems to be mainly in the video surveillance business, according to their web site).

This is the brochure:

STERLINGEXCEL.pdf

Note that the brochure says you can have up to 4 fobs active at any one time on one immobilizer (it comes with 2). If you buy a complete new kit, you'll have an extra fob (you need to keep one associated with the particular unit it came with, or you will be unable to program additional fobs without paying TOAD for a specially-coded fob for your particular unit).

The going rate for these in the UK seems to be between £39.99 and £59.99 at discounters and eBay UK - a bit of a saving compared to the £89.99 list price.

**bolus** · April 27, 2011, 09:19 AM

Any Idea on how I could get an additional fob made? I misplaced one of mine

**DarthChicken** · April 27, 2011, 10:29 AM

You just buy one, and you program it via the other fob. If you only have one fob, you NEED to get the second one, otherwise if you lose the remaining fob, you can't program a replacement without the special one alluded it above.

**Gage** · April 27, 2011, 10:38 AM

I need to buy another one as well.

**Terry Kennedy** · April 27, 2011, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by bolus

Any Idea on how I could get an additional fob made? I misplaced one of mine

You'll probably need to order one from the UK. I don't believe that either TMI or Ariel UK have spare fobs available for sale.

A quick look on eBay UK shows this listing from a dealer selling the fobs for £19.99 (around $33.25 at today's rates).

They're a registered dealer, though, and may do quantity discounts if you can coordinate a buy for a bunch of them. I expect there's a fair amount of profit built in as they are selling the complete system for £49.99 on eBay UK.

Each of those lists "more than 10 available" and the listing have been up since at least 2009, so they're probably not going to sell out anytime soon.

If you purchase just a fob, be sure to have them send you the instructions to "introduce" the fob to your immobilizer.

**bolus** · April 27, 2011, 04:01 PM

ACE hardware does RFID keys. I figured I could get one done there

Just looks like this inside the fob

**Terry Kennedy** · April 27, 2011, 09:19 PM

Here is a scan of the immobilizer user manual which was provided with my Atom. It discusses general operation as well as how to "introduce" new keyfobs to the immobilizer. Note that it does not cover installation or other maintenance procedures - if you need further information, you should contact the apropriate Atom factory for your region or ask a senior member here for advice.

sterling.pdf

**rijowysock** · November 12, 2012, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

[I believe this unit is used on TMI and UK Atoms as well as the Brammo ones.]

The device is a "Sterling Excel" unit, and the manufacturer seems to change their name regularly. The latest is "Sterling - Part of the TOAD group of companies, now part of 21st Century Technology PLC" (which seems to be mainly in the video surveillance business, according to their web site).

This is the brochure:

STERLINGEXCEL.pdf

Note that the brochure says you can have up to 4 fobs active at any one time on one immobilizer (it comes with 2). If you buy a complete new kit, you'll have an extra fob (you need to keep one associated with the particular unit it came with, or you will be unable to program additional fobs without paying TOAD for a specially-coded fob for your particular unit).

The going rate for these in the UK seems to be between £39.99 and £59.99 at discounters and eBay UK - a bit of a saving compared to the £89.99 list price.

have you attempted to move the ring at all? i assume zip tied up in dash and could possibly 3M double side it to the bottom of the plastic cluster surround? doesn't look like any open circuits to short out if ever wet

**Terry Kennedy** · November 12, 2012, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by rijowysock

have you attempted to move the ring at all? i assume zip tied up in dash and could possibly 3M double side it to the bottom of the plastic cluster surround? doesn't look like any open circuits to short out if ever wet

Yes, I've experimented with it in a variety of places. What I find works the best (which may be different for your Atom) is to tie the antenna loop to the underside of one of the metal frame tubes behind the dash, at the point where the loop is at the end of the antenna cable. So, you'll have the loop and its cable loosely tied to the frame tube, with the loop hanging down.

Be careful with the loop and where it connects to the main antenna cable - the loop itself is some fragile windings under spiral wrap, and the solder connection between it and the main antenna cable lives up to the reputation of British automotive wiring.

**rijowysock** · November 12, 2012, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

Yes, I've experimented with it in a variety of places. What I find works the best (which may be different for your Atom) is to tie the antenna loop to the underside of one of the metal frame tubes behind the dash, at the point where the loop is at the end of the antenna cable. So, you'll have the loop and its cable loosely tied to the frame tube, with the loop hanging down.

Be careful with the loop and where it connects to the main antenna cable - the loop itself is some fragile windings under spiral wrap, and the solder connection between it and the main antenna cable lives up to the reputation of British automotive wiring.

sounds tedious... also sounds like just hanging there the solder joint would come loose over time=useless car.

i'll def bring it up at the factory when i visit and hear their thoughts... i was super excited about the "fob" because i love the idea of not removing keys from pocket... but i am against most "keyless start" vehicles... the saving grace of the atom is in the multi step process to start the car up... i loved my exige how you had 60 seconds to start and the key is totally useless, literally useless (i'll show you how it's cut. and you'll laugh... it's just a blank)... the only thing that starts/opens an exige is the clicker fob.. a click disengages the immobilizer and the allows the car to be started... needless to say the day my clicker died was a very sad day, luckily i was able to break into my car (cannot open doors w/ key, only with clicker)... and you have to be inside the car to program the clicker once you replace battery.