Alarm setting question

[FlyingPanda]

Probably the first of many daft questions, but here goes:

If I go to lock my car using the remote fob (98 Chimaera with Meta 99T alarm) immediately after getting out, it won't lock, however......if I wait until the interior light has gone out (approx 30 secs delay) it locks fine!

Is this
A) Normal
B) A coincidence
C) A sign of something amiss elsewhere
D) None of the above

Any thoughts gratefully received!

[s p a c e m a n]

Not normal, can't help further than that though sorry.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Have you tried switching the light off & trying again? Don't know what that would prove, but just a thought (I always leave mine off..don't really know why )

[s p a c e m a n]

I think that even if you have the bulb switched off it's still drawing a load of current because the relay is still being triggered, so I never switch mine off in case the door switches bugger up and I get a flat battery because I didn't know the light was on

Still doesn't help with the alarm though

Try pulling the interior light relay out and see what happens?

[FlyingPanda]

Thanks for the suggestions, will have a fiddle in daylight. Interesting that HF's website mentions some issues causing the alarm to bleep-when-setting if you have an interior light delay fitted.

There's obviously some sort of a link, I guess it thinks the door's open or something.

I might put it down to 'quirkiness' (that seems to cover most issues)

[s p a c e m a n]

Does it click locked and open again straight away? Mine does that when a door is open. Try the buttons on the bottom of the door openings, they have to be earthed through the screw that attaches them to the body so take them off and give them a good clean up.

[FlyingPanda]

Just as an update on this, in case it helps anyone else.

After a weekend of stripping and cleaning the door and boot pin switches, I found I had one under the bonnet as well! It was hidden under a plastic cowling that covered the bonnet catch mechanism, and I have to say, it's a pretty ropey design! Basically as the bonnet is closed, a very small (4mm square) tin plate which retains the spring for the catch mechanism moves closer to the end of the pin switch once the bonnet is closed and the catch engaged. This is such a narrow tolerance though, the chances of it hitting spot on every time are not great to begin with, but with a bit of wear and tear the striker plate bends very easily out of alignment.

So, cleaned up the switch, played around with its positioning to try and get a more positive fit, and lo and behold, it's all fine now. The bizarre thing is this is clearly nothing to do with the interior light switch, however, if that was turned off, the system worked anyway! I guess there was something to do with some current being drawn, Or something. Haven't a clue, but anyway, it all works now!

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Result! That is a non standard fitment