Problem with my alarm

[crb1]

I'm trying to have a quiet evening; me, a cup of tea, my two dogs and pistonheads. What more can a man ask in the C21. And then my alarm goes off on my Red 3R. Like it did at 2.20am this morning and a number of other times. Is it possibly next doors cat trying to warm up its ars*. Or is it more fundamental. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks Chris.

[joust]

Check the following

Clam open sensors - check there isn't any crud in them (they are the little poky up sensors at the front and back)

Try disabling the motion sensor. See the Autowatch manual that came with the car on how to do that (email me if you haven't got it). If that stops it give Autowatch a ring (www.autowatch.co.uk/) and ask them for the code to turn down the sensitivity of the motion sensor.

Also - the alarm will tell you why it triggered it - after it goes of - again contact Autowatch and ask them to tell you how to read the codes after an alarm.

Hope that helps!

J

[crb1]

Justin,
I never cease to be amazed by your knowledge of this car and all the technical stuff you write about. Many thanks.
Hope to meet you in due course.
Chris.

[m12_nathan]

I had a problem with the alarm - is your car left outside? My siren got water in it and kept on going off...

[amg merc]

Another thing could be the in-dash motion sensors - maybe if a window or a side vent is left slightly open on a windy day/night this could set it off?!

[speedfreak]

had the same problem with my z3m coupe, alarm kept going off about 5 times a day, took it into bmw and turned out is was the motion sensor

[Micknall]

Chris,

If the problem persists, lift the front section and look for the only three-pin plug near the master cylinder. Providing the alarm is NOT sounding, disconnecting this plug will stop it going off again (if you disconnect it while it's sounding, it won't stop because it will continue to use its own emergency battery).

If the alarm is at fault, the unit can be replaced in a matter of minutes at your dealers (it's mounted next to the fuse box in the passenger footwell).

Both our press cars' alarms have succumbed to water ingress, one after being jetwashed, the other after being driven in torrential rain. But they've both only done it once, to my knowledge.

[misterx]

Micknall said:

Chris, If the problem persists, lift the front section and look for the only three-pin plug near the master cylinder. Providing the alarm is NOT sounding, disconnecting this plug will stop it going off again (if you disconnect it while it's sounding, it won't stop because it will continue to use its own emergency battery). If the alarm is at fault, the unit can be replaced in a matter of minutes at your dealers (it's mounted next to the fuse box in the passenger footwell).

There are just SO MANY useful tips like this hidden away in the different threads. Would be REALLY useful if someone with time to spare could pull them all together into some sort of 'emergency guide' for us owners. FAR more useful than the manual.....

[crb1]

Got the car back yesterday after fixing the alarm.
Hmmmm.
Not good

Well my neighbours have a right to be.
Would be a great time for a drive.
Dammit. Too much last night. Red wine that is.
Chris

[amg merc]

crb1 said:

Got the car back yesterday after fixing the alarm. Hmmmm. Not good Well my neighbours have a right to be. Would be a great time for a drive. Dammit. Too much last night. Red wine that is. Chris

Chris, are you saying that your alarm is still going off, or that you were too drunk to notice?!

>> Edited by amg merc on Friday 23 April 08:35

[crb1]

Fair play.
I think frustration set in on the early am post. I've logged 11 times the alarm went off between 11.40pm and 4.10am. Hasn't gone off since then. No I wasn't too drunk to notice! I'm gonna call the garage now.