Car Alarm Woes

[S-JM]

Hi all,
Firstly apologies, this isn't a Clio issue but hopefully as it's more of a general issue I could still get some support, don't really go on any other forums.

Been having some issues with the alarm system on the Civic for the past 5-6 days. Last Friday it started going off for about 10 seconds before shutting up by itself, then again and again about 3-4 times in a row. Eventually I just disconnected the battery to shut it up.

Since then, I've driven the car about 3 times and it's not done it at all for about 24 hours after using it before blaring away again. Admittedly, it's not really had much use since I started working from home, maybe 1-2 times a week tops.

First thought was the battery just doesnt have enough charge due to lack of use, I took it to Halfords today for a quick test and it came back at 13.4V which is considered healthy, however that could well have been because I had to drive it to get there (hence charging the battery). They agreed it may just need more use to prevent the alarm issues.

When I got home this morning, I locked the car but the indicators didn't flash and the alarm (plus blinking red light on the dash) didnt activate, but the car still locked.

Any ideas? I'm starting to wonder whether it might actually just be the key fob battery (fingers crossed) and not an issue with the alarm itself.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Darren S]

I'd do the cheap option first - who knows how old that fob battery maybe?

It certainly wouldn't do you any harm for a couple of £ to swap it either.

 

[S-JM]

Tried it, car now locks and alarm sets just fine. Also checked the battery with a multimeter and it reads healthy voltage, fired the car up and it increased which suggests the alternator is fine.
However, about 20 seconds after locking the car and arming the alarm, it started going off but without the audible siren, just the indicators going mad on their own, so no audible sound. I only drove it two hours ago and the battery has enough charge, so I'm starting the believe the alarm itself is on the blink?

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

RTFM.

On most cars since the 90s, there's a signal somewhere that tells you what triggered it rather than guessing.

If the cars not done a lot for a few months, it's possible that it's main battery is on its way out. And then you've started it and stopped without any driving, so a chunk of charge will have gone then..

Older cars just struggled to start and you knew it was dying/dead. These days they have limits set so maybe it's close to that limit before it just won't start hence the alarm. Or maybe the bonnet sensor is busted. Or maybe there's a spider inside the cabin.

Got a trickle charger ? Know anyone who does ?

Not going to hurt regardless...

 

[leeds2592]

Needs scrapping HTH.

 

[leeds2592]

RTFM.

On most cars since the 90s, there's a signal somewhere that tells you what triggered it rather than guessing.

If the cars not done a lot for a few months, it's possible that it's main battery is on its way out. And then you've started it and stopped without any driving, so a chunk of charge will have gone then..

Older cars just struggled to start and you knew it was dying/dead. These days they have limits set so maybe it's close to that limit before it just won't start hence the alarm. Or maybe the bonnet sensor is busted. Or maybe there's a spider inside the cabin.

Got a trickle charger ? Know anyone who does ?

Not going to hurt regardless...

Thing is, when we checked the battery with the multimeter, it was reading 12.7V then shot up to over 14V when the engine was on, which is obviously normal.

Be interesting to see what the battery reading is after a few days of not being driven though. Suppose that will show whether its losing charge or not.

 

[Louis]

I'd say its @leeds2592 shaking it whilst walking the dog to piss you off