Astra power sounder going off when connecting battery

[Alexj800]

Hi all,

The battery in my Astra went flat because it wasnt driven for a while. I took it out and charged it, but when I try to reconnect, the power sounder goes off constantly.

I read about switching the ignition on and off, and disconnecting the battery within 15 seconds of doing so, then reconnecting. This didnt work.

The moment I connect the battery the alarm sounds and doesnt stop until I disconnect it again. The key fob is working ok, because it will let me lock and unlock the doors with it.

Help please! It's driving me potty and has half-deafened me!

It's a coupe turbo of the previous shape.

Edited by Alexj800 on Friday 6th March 12:56

[Yanayaya]

Is there not a reset routine in the manual for the alarm? Usually there is a procedure to reset the system?

[oakdale]

The power sounder is meant to go off if the battery is disconnected unless you follow the procedure of turning the ignition on and then off before disconnecting.
If it now goes off when the battery is connected, it is most likely that the internal battery is u/s which means the power sounder is u/s as you can't replace the batteries, you have to buy a new power sounder.
You should be able to just disconnect or remove it without causing problems with the alarm.

[p4cks]

Are you connecting the + or - first?

[oakdale]

p4cks said:

Are you connecting the + or - first?

I'm interested in knowing what difference you think that will make.

[p4cks]

On rare occasions if the - is connected first then the alarm may sound as soon as the + is connected

I'd always recommend connecting the + first then the -. If the problem has not been solved, try doing the same although leaving around 2 minutes between the + and - connections.

[Alexj800]

I always connect the positive first. I'm not sure why, I think I read it somewhere many years ago.

It looks like the powersounder may be at fault. Is there an easy way to disconnect it? It sounds like more trouble replacing it, than it's worth.

Ta

[oakdale]

As far as I can remember, you have to remove the n/s wheel arch inner liner to disconnect or remove it, it's not a big job.

Connecting the positive lead first is good practise, because if you accidentally earth the neg when doing it, nothing happens, but if you connect the neg first, then earth the positive with a spanner or something, it shorts the battery.

It will not make any difference to your alarm though, which ever way you connect it.

[brucie16v]

When carrying out a battery disconnection at work we always start by turning ignition on and leaving it like that til reconnected, never had a prob with this routine. paul