Alarm / locking problem

[The Surveyor]

Just taken my 1997 Chimaera out for a run into town and the alarm is playing up. I don't tend to use the central locking / alarm when the car is in the garage as the wind sometimes sets it off (yes even in the garage!), but the car wont lock without setting the alarm off.

When i lock the car, it pips once as it locks the doors, then the alarm goes off. Happens every time and i have checked the door contacts, and checked the boot and bonnet are closed properly (not sure if there is a senson on these but thought it was worth checking) and the problem is still there.

Does anybody have any ideas on what to try first?

Thanks

Paul

[Ribol]

You say it goes off as you lock the doors, is there a delay before it goes off (say 15 seconds) or is it straight away?

[wolosp]

When the alarm goes off, do the indicators flash as well or is it just the siren. If only the siren squawksm then it's most likely a duff siren.
It'll cost around £80.

[The Surveyor]

Sorry for not getting back sooner, but the alarm does go off immediately, No delay, it just cheeps, then the alarm sounds with the indicators flashing.

I shall be removing the door contacts, but they both appear to be working as i can hear a relay clicking within the door shut when this is pressed.

If its a sounder, are these easily fitted, or is it a specialist job ££££.?

Thanks

[Ribol]

The Surveyor said:

If its a sounder, are these easily fitted, or is it a specialist job ££££.? Thanks

But did you not say the siren goes off, in which case it must be working?
If you suspect the siren is causing the problem then just disconnect it and try the alarm without it. It should all work properly apart from lack of noise.

[PeterC]

There are usually a couple of trimmers fitted to the alarm and hidden in the car. These allow the sensitivity of certain features of the alarm to be adjusted. Have you tried making any adjustments of this sort? Do you know where they are?

[The Surveyor]

Thanks for the responces

I'm not sure about the sounder Ribol, but as wolosp suggested that the sounder could be faulty, then it's worth a look at.

Peter C, not got a clue where the 'trimmers' are for the alarm, as it would be useful to lower the sensitivity of the interior sensor to avoid the nighttime false alarms. Befor the current fault, the slightest movement of the dust cover, or even opening the garage door used to set off the alarm.

I will try the door contacts again (remove and clean) and ditto to the sounder.

[wolosp]

The Surveyor said:

Thanks for the responces I'm not sure about the sounder Ribol, but as wolosp suggested that the sounder could be faulty, then it's worth a look at.

If the indicators flash as well as the siren going off, then it's not a faulty siren. I'd either look at faulty/over-sensitive sensors or a faulty alarm itself.
Try Carl Baker (not had any dealings myself though) www.tvruk.tv/dyncat.cfm?catid=7 - he's often mentioned on here.

[david beer]

Have you tried reseting the alarm ? Mine went mad after the xmas break when the battery drained a "tad".The car started ok but the alarm did all sorts, going off while driving, chirping after locking and then going off as soon as set. I just disconnected the battery,fine since.I'm sure you can pop a fuse out to do the same.

[jp234]

Might be worth checking the bonnet contact (had similar problem recently). you might have to remove the black plastic covering to see it clearly but on mine the contact was the same as the door ones- ie plastic & was only held closed by a small metal part of the bonnet catch & it had worn edge of plastic away. a bit of persuading to set it at a better angle solved it

[The Surveyor]

John

Sorry to sound like an idiot, but where is the bonnet sensor for the alarm. Is it part of the catch, or should there be a pin type switch somewhere like the ones in the door sills?

Also, where is the unit that can adjust the microwave sensor. (please Email if its one of those trade secrets, not to be placed on a public forum:- [e-mail])

Thanks
Paul

[The Surveyor]

Big Al

Many thnaks for the Email.

Paul