Car returned with knackered alarm
Discussion
Last week I took my Polo in for a routine service at the garage I brought it from and instructed them to change the cambelt. I collected the car and discovered when I got home the alarm and remote central locking wasn't working. Gave them a ring and was told to bring it back in the next day.
Next day (Saturday) they then tried for nearly an hour to fix the problem but with no luck so asked if I could bring it back in on Monday for an auto-electrician (who they'll bring in) to look at.
So, I took it back yesterday and left it with them. Later, got a call from the service manager to say the VW alarm control unit is knackered and as VW don't make them any more (car made in 1998) it can't be fixed. Only solution is to fit a whole new third party alarm.
Now here's the rub. They claim that during the cambelt service they had to disconnect the battery (fair enough) but doing this has caused the alarm control unit to fail. They claim that as they've done nothing wrong, they're not willing to pay for a replacement system. My argument is I took the car in for the initial service fully working and it was returned to me broken.
Anyone know where I stand? The service manager has mentioned that he's sure we can come to an agreement if they can source a new control unit, but they're not willing to foot the bill for a whole new alarm system.
Next day (Saturday) they then tried for nearly an hour to fix the problem but with no luck so asked if I could bring it back in on Monday for an auto-electrician (who they'll bring in) to look at.
So, I took it back yesterday and left it with them. Later, got a call from the service manager to say the VW alarm control unit is knackered and as VW don't make them any more (car made in 1998) it can't be fixed. Only solution is to fit a whole new third party alarm.
Now here's the rub. They claim that during the cambelt service they had to disconnect the battery (fair enough) but doing this has caused the alarm control unit to fail. They claim that as they've done nothing wrong, they're not willing to pay for a replacement system. My argument is I took the car in for the initial service fully working and it was returned to me broken.
Anyone know where I stand? The service manager has mentioned that he's sure we can come to an agreement if they can source a new control unit, but they're not willing to foot the bill for a whole new alarm system.
The alarm itself still works. The problem is the fobs are no longer synchronised to the control unit and it's not possible to re-sync them. I did have a go myself, as according the the user manual you have to hold down the button for 10s and it should re-sync. If it doesn't, the manual suggests taking it to a VW dealer.
The auto-electrician says he's seen it before on this alarm and the only solution is to replace the control unit. He's removed the control unit and siren so I can use the car without it going off every time I open a door.
I think a call the a VW garage might be in order to confirm/deny this problem.
The auto-electrician says he's seen it before on this alarm and the only solution is to replace the control unit. He's removed the control unit and siren so I can use the car without it going off every time I open a door.
I think a call the a VW garage might be in order to confirm/deny this problem.
streaky said:
Disconnecting the battery should not 'break' the alarm. It is possible that it would cause the alarm to sound and it is possible that they have 'broken' the alarm to shut it up.
Worth checking with VW on this point.
Streaky
(as an electronic design engineer) I agree. If what was said is correct, then the unit is not 'fit for purpose'.
Take it back to VW and explain it to them. They may go out of their way to placate you if it's a known problem.
Talk to Tom at AES ( http://autoes.co.uk/ ).
From personal experiance, I would put money on him being able to help you, or if he's to far away point you at someone who can.
Cheers
>> Edited by Pistol Pete on Tuesday 26th April 12:39
From personal experiance, I would put money on him being able to help you, or if he's to far away point you at someone who can.
Cheers
>> Edited by Pistol Pete on Tuesday 26th April 12:39
Great, managed to contact another local VW dealership and spoke to their service department. He's confirmed what the other garage have said, it's not uncommon for this alarm (apparently a VW branded Scorpion model) to stop working and refuse to re-sync following a battery disconnection 
So where does that leave me? It appears the garage haven't done anything wrong and were just unlucky that it packed up on their premises. Can I get them to replace it or am I on my own?
So where does that leave me? It appears the garage haven't done anything wrong and were just unlucky that it packed up on their premises. Can I get them to replace it or am I on my own?
streaky said:Phone that number and politely argue that the unit is not 'fit for purpose' (back up with dealer's comment).
Anyone got a phone number for VW UK? The local dealership is useless and just rings and rings
0800 333666 (VW UK in MK. Ask to speak to Paul Willis (Head)- Streaky
Other than that, if the unit is out of warranty, IMO you're on your own
KITT said:I'm not sure of your official (legal) position, but if it's a VW dealer, and a VW car, they should have known better.
Great, managed to contact another local VW dealership and spoke to their service department. He's confirmed what the other garage have said, it's not uncommon for this alarm (apparently a VW branded Scorpion model) to stop working and refuse to re-sync following a battery disconnection
So where does that leave me? It appears the garage haven't done anything wrong and were just unlucky that it packed up on their premises. Can I get them to replace it or am I on my own?
However, this is slightly besides the point. I'd put the facts clearly and politely to the chap you dealt with, and work your way up the food chain there until you have the answer you need (i.e. they will replace the unit/system. Watch for insurance implications while it is out of action, BTW.) If/when they don't play ball, talk to VW centrally and then Trading Standards.
You may well find that they cough up just to make life simple, well before you have exhausted the last line of complaint.
Oli.
supraman2954 said:
Phone that number and politely argue that the unit is not 'fit for purpose' (back up with dealer's comment).
Other than that, if the unit is out of warranty, IMO you're on your own
Trouble is the alarm, although VW branded, was fitted by the dealership the car was originally purchased from (I'm the second owner). I doubt VW will care much as it's not "factory fit".
I think I'll wait until the garage have got back to me incase they're willing to do a deal. I've brought 2 cars from them and both were always serviced/MOTed there so I like to think I'm a valued customer. Fingers crossed!
Edit: I should mention the garage I took the car to is not a VW garage but is a main dealership for another lesser VAG product
>> Edited by KITT on Tuesday 26th April 14:36
What about finding out the cost of a replacement aftermarket system and approaching the dealer and suggesting you have a credit for that amount given to you (which can cover your next service/s)?
We used to have some kind of clip on device we used when welding to save having to disconnect the battery (we used to get lots of people losing radio codes and we had to pay for a re-code) - maybe suggest that this might have be prudent to use. Of course of the battery was disconnected for another reason, than a power surge then my comments are poinless babble
We used to have some kind of clip on device we used when welding to save having to disconnect the battery (we used to get lots of people losing radio codes and we had to pay for a re-code) - maybe suggest that this might have be prudent to use. Of course of the battery was disconnected for another reason, than a power surge then my comments are poinless babble
Good news 
After a couple of hours Googling I found, via a Corrado forum, that Scorpion Alarms went bust not long ago However, the forum also mentioned the contact details for the company that have taken Scorpion over who are called Electro Systems Ltd. Contacted them and told them my problem. A chap there said it's quite common for a spike to reset the control module when you reconnect the battery.
Solution is to send the control module, with the fobs to them with a cheque for £29.37 and they'll reprogram it all.
Contacted the garage with this new information and they're happy to send it off and pay for the repair, which is nice, as it really does appear they've not done anything wrong.
Hopefully I'll have a working alarm again in the next week or two
>> Edited by KITT on Wednesday 27th April 12:32
After a couple of hours Googling I found, via a Corrado forum, that Scorpion Alarms went bust not long ago
However, the forum also mentioned the contact details for the company that have taken Scorpion over who are called Electro Systems Ltd. Contacted them and told them my problem. A chap there said it's quite common for a spike to reset the control module when you reconnect the battery. Solution is to send the control module, with the fobs to them with a cheque for £29.37 and they'll reprogram it all.
Contacted the garage with this new information and they're happy to send it off and pay for the repair, which is nice, as it really does appear they've not done anything wrong.
Hopefully I'll have a working alarm again in the next week or two
>> Edited by KITT on Wednesday 27th April 12:32
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