volvo s40 sensitive alarm problem
Discussion
anyone else on here (you can remain anonymous if you don't want to admit to owning a volvo 
) have an s40 with a sensitive alarm? The alarm gets set off by vehicles passing with loud exhausts, especially as there is a dreaded speed hump outside my house. (Surprisingly the TVR does not set it off). Volvo have (unhelpfully) suggested we close the airvents and remove any metal objects from the centre console. This does not work, and the alarm is going off almost on a daily basis now. Is there any way I can desensitise it or will it be a replacement needed from volvo to fix it? I really do not want to pay for a new alarm (the car is out of warranty now) as I would consider it a design fault. Volvo have admitted to me on the phone that this is a problem a lot of other customers have complained about, and I did tell them about it when the car was still under warranty, although they did nothing about it at that time.
Any comments/suggestions will be much appreciated ......
) have an s40 with a sensitive alarm? The alarm gets set off by vehicles passing with loud exhausts, especially as there is a dreaded speed hump outside my house. (Surprisingly the TVR does not set it off). Volvo have (unhelpfully) suggested we close the airvents and remove any metal objects from the centre console. This does not work, and the alarm is going off almost on a daily basis now. Is there any way I can desensitise it or will it be a replacement needed from volvo to fix it? I really do not want to pay for a new alarm (the car is out of warranty now) as I would consider it a design fault. Volvo have admitted to me on the phone that this is a problem a lot of other customers have complained about, and I did tell them about it when the car was still under warranty, although they did nothing about it at that time. Any comments/suggestions will be much appreciated ......
/speaksquietlymodeon
I have a friend who knows a chap who lives next door to a bloke with a Volvo V40. He ..err.. suggests that you have a stiff word with your dealer, and in the meantime disable the internal sensors if you have the same button that he does on the dash.
He says his alarm has gone off a couple of times but that was due to windows not being completely shut correctly.
/speaksquietlymodeoff
I have a friend who knows a chap who lives next door to a bloke with a Volvo V40. He ..err.. suggests that you have a stiff word with your dealer, and in the meantime disable the internal sensors if you have the same button that he does on the dash.
He says his alarm has gone off a couple of times but that was due to windows not being completely shut correctly.
/speaksquietlymodeoff
I can't speak for your car specifically (although my parents have an S40 T4 and they havent had any problems with the alarm in 5 years) but most car alarms have a way of adjusting the sensitivity, might be worth taking it to an alarm specialist? It could be going off due to interference from a nearby source, does it always happen in the same place? Things like microwave ovens and TVs can affect car alarms. Try parking it differently this can sometimes help.
T4R said:
/speaksquietlymodeon
I have a friend who knows a chap who lives next door to a bloke with a Volvo V40. He ..err.. suggests that you have a stiff word with your dealer, and in the meantime disable the internal sensors if you have the same button that he does on the dash.
He says his alarm has gone off a couple of times but that was due to windows not being completely shut correctly.
/speaksquietlymodeoff
Good idea, I never thought about disabling the sensors. This sounds like the best thing to do.
NeilH, it goes off everytime a heavy lorry/bus/beancan exhaust drives past. I could park it outside the neighbours house, but then I might not hear it and be able to reset it as quickly, and that would not be popular.
Theres a recall for the alarm boxes on these. Its a 5 minute job to replace the box, but the sensors also get replaced. All in about 2 hours messing.
If the cars under warranty, go to the dealers and tell them the problem. Ive personally replaced loadsa these for being oversensitive. Like i said, its a recall.
If the cars under warranty, go to the dealers and tell them the problem. Ive personally replaced loadsa these for being oversensitive. Like i said, its a recall.
I have a 2009 S40 Sport (UK spec). I had a
Similar problem with the alarm going off 1 minute after locking the car. I’d just returned home from a 1 hour drive but the car had been standing in heavy rain for a few days before that (it doesn’t get used much these days). Have a look at the bonnet catch. There is a wire connector located underneath that can get wet after a downpour. It’s not often water gets in that far, but when it does it can cause problems. Give that a wiggle/wipe and that might sort things.
Considering the S40 is essentially a Volvo shaped Ford Focus with lots of French mechanical bits it’s a good solid car.
Similar problem with the alarm going off 1 minute after locking the car. I’d just returned home from a 1 hour drive but the car had been standing in heavy rain for a few days before that (it doesn’t get used much these days). Have a look at the bonnet catch. There is a wire connector located underneath that can get wet after a downpour. It’s not often water gets in that far, but when it does it can cause problems. Give that a wiggle/wipe and that might sort things.
Considering the S40 is essentially a Volvo shaped Ford Focus with lots of French mechanical bits it’s a good solid car.
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