Alarm won't stop! Please HELP!!!

[will.naylor]

Last night the alarm went off on my 1995 (N) Chimp and just wouldn't stop (at 3AM !!) - even with the car running. I disconnected the battery (i don't know if this was the right thing to do) but the alarm carried on going off (a bit quieter). I then moved the radiator slightly forward and disconnected the siren. This seems to have worked as a temp fix. I quickly checked all the lights etc and found the passenger's side front indicator wasn't working causing the left indicator to flash twice as fast. I'm not really bothered about the alarm (the immob seems to still work) but would like to get the indicator working.

Is this linked to the siren?

What was wrong in the first place?

Can anyone help please?

Thanks

[sgrimshaw]

Carl Baker's your man.

www.tvruk.tv/contactus.cfm

Just give him a call.

Simon

[will.naylor]

Thanks. Unfortunatly he's away for a few days. Any ideas I could try in the mean time?

[chassis 33]

Have you checked the wiring to the indicator, it sound like you could of dislodged a wire while disconnecting the siren. The rest of the alarm should work as normal with the siren disconnected.

Regards
Iain

[griffter]

If one indicator bulb blows, the other side will flash twice as fast. It's because of the mechanical flasher, and serves to alert you to the fact that a bulb's gone. Don't know about the alarm though.

[Big Al.]

If you know where the horn is situated, it joins to the loom via a plug that comes out the back of the horn via a wire. This plug connection has caused me problems in the past. Take out the horn clean the plug and socket. Wrap back up this with a good amalgamating tape.

Hope that helps and cures your problem.

[Ribol]

Chances are the siren has "gone off" due to water getting into it, driven it in the rain recently? If that is the case dry it out indoors and then refit facing downwards, if you catch it early enough you might not need to replace it. Some sirens have a round keyswitch on the back to cut of the backup battery inside it, they tend to be used with the early Foxguard Alarm system(two buttons on remote).
The indicator problem will be either the bulb has gone gone or a bad earth on that lamp.
The alarm is wired into the indicator circuit but will not cause the problem you describe with your indicators.

HTH

[tvrjohn]

Sounds more like your siren which is self powered , has detected its integral battery is failing.
Cannot replace battery Meta type, new siren req'd

[will.naylor]

Thanks for all your advice. I got home last night and the indicators were working

Probably the wet. I'll try moving the siren slightly.

Thanks again

[FlipFlopGriff]

Once you replace the siren best to put a plastic bag over it and feed an elastic band over to hold the bag on (replace bag periodically (and the elastic band).
Haven't had any problems since.
FFG

[will.naylor]

Nice idea!

Thanks

[Ribol]

Sirens only get water in them when they are mounted incorrectly. Some fitters point them horizontal thinking they will sound louder, no good. Some even point them upwards, perfect for storing water in a water shortage but not much good for the siren. They must point downwards(vertical) to allow the water to drain out quickly if it does get in and more importantly dry out.
Not quite understood the bag thing but trust me it's not needed.

[will.naylor]

Mine is definatly pointing sideways. Thanks, I'll try both - can't go wrong then!!

[PeterC]

Do not disregard the alarm, it needs to be fully operational at all times as per the declarations made to your insurance company.

If your alarm is not working correctly and your car is stolen, your insurers may very well void any subsequent claim. This may mean that any damage would not be coveerd and any third party claims would fall to you?

[will.naylor]

PeterC said:

Do not disregard the alarm, it needs to be fully operational at all times as per the declarations made to your insurance company. If your alarm is not working correctly and your car is stolen, your insurers may very well void any subsequent claim. This may mean that any damage would not be coveerd and any third party claims would fall to you?

Appreciated. The alarm now all works now its dried out. Going to move it and bag it so this doesn't happen again. Bloody annoying when it goes off at 3am

[FlipFlopGriff]

Ours went off at 3am also and also when we were in Edinburgh castle - not good when the car is in B'ham and trying to explain to my dad and the next door neighbour how to get in the car, open bonnet, where alarm is , etc etc - especially as we'd only had the car a month or so and didn't really know ourselves.
FFG