Is a 25-yr old Alarm Past its Sell-by-Date?

[WD40]

Hi,

In the 15 yrs (I got the car with 26K and it’s now got 62K) that I’ve owned a 172 / Ph1, I can’t recall ever leaving it open and forgetting to lock it (I live in the inner city and am way too paranoid not to check it’s locked). The last time it went out, the missus and youngster were with me, who would've surely reminded me to lock up.

On account of an impending holiday, I had to work late and ended up returning home around 11pm. On approaching the car, I noticed both doors were ajar, i.e. half closed. I then saw that someone had been through the contents of the glove, leaving them on the passenger seat. Although it’s dark outside, I can’t detect any signs of forced entry (unlike when they smashed the glass a few years back, all for the sake of a power bank that I’d left in the footwell...). The only thing of ‘value’ in the car would be the emergency starter pack in the boot, which was still there. Having left both doors ajar, I can only assume that they didn’t want to make noise by closing the doors properly. Maybe they didn’t go into the boot?

Is it possible that someone got into the car using electronic means? I presume that the key sends an ultrasonic chirp. Maybe it’s easy to crack a 25-year old car’s alarm?

Is it time to upgrade the security? How would I do that?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Louis]

Hi,

In the 15 yrs (I got the car with 26K and it’s now got 62K) that I’ve owned a 172 / Ph1, I can’t recall ever leaving it open and forgetting to lock it (I live in the inner city and am way too paranoid not to check it’s locked). The last time it went out, the missus and youngster were with me, who would've surely reminded me to lock up.

On account of an impending holiday, I had to work late and ended up returning home around 11pm. On approaching the car, I noticed both doors were ajar, i.e. half closed. I then saw that someone had been through the contents of the glove, leaving them on the passenger seat. Although it’s dark outside, I can’t detect any signs of forced entry (unlike when they smashed the glass a few years back, all for the sake of a power bank that I’d left in the footwell...). The only thing of ‘value’ in the car would be the emergency starter pack in the boot, which was still there. Having left both doors ajar, I can only assume that they didn’t want to make noise by closing the doors properly. Maybe they didn’t go into the boot?

Is it possible that someone got into the car using electronic means? I presume that the key sends an ultrasonic chirp. Maybe it’s easy to crack a 25-year old car’s alarm?

Is it time to upgrade the security? How would I do that?

Thanks in advance.

No. You didn't lock it.

 

[davo172]

No. You didn't lock it.

This 😀

 

[WD40]

I hope you are right! My initial feeling is that the toerag who went into it walked along the street trying handles, as I've seen this happen in front of me. Thing is, I don't recall ever leaving any car unlocked in my life. It seems to be a bit of a coincidence that the one time I forget to lock it, this happens. I started to wonder if the elderly alarm could be hacked (I watched a program where they nicked a modern Range Rove...took seconds)

 

[Louis]

I hope you are right! My initial feeling is that the toerag who went into it walked along the street trying handles, as I've seen this happen in front of me. Thing is, I don't recall ever leaving any car unlocked in my life. It seems to be a bit of a coincidence that the one time I forget to lock it, this happens. I started to wonder if the elderly alarm could be hacked (I watched a program where they nicked a modern Range Rove...took seconds)

Noone is using anything to open an old clio mate. You were probably just distracted by your wife and kid.

It's probably not the first time you've left it unlocked.

Don't stress it.

 

[Marky_]

Back when i lived at home with my parents, i left mine unlocked on the driveway overnight by accident. By the morning someone had been in took the Kenwood HU and a pair of oakleys. This was on a very quiet cul de sac in the suburbs. People roaming around trying door handles happens more than we realise.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Yeah very much sounds like you just left it open on this occasion. Easily done. I left my keys in the ignition overnight once, but thankfully I lived in a village in the arse end of nowhere

 

[Mr Trailer Man]

Yeah you've just left it unlocked.

Easily done.

I left the Megane's passenger window open overnight a few weeks ago, thankfully it was during the hot weather and we didn't have any rain

Still don't know how the alarm didn't go off because it usually does.

 

[Digsey]

Is it possible you sat on the keys and unlocked it? i know it should lock again if nothing is opened but i've done this before, even came out once to the electric boot on my audi open as i'd sat on the key inside, i'm more careful these days but it probably still happens