Scooby Alarm

[andy43]

Hi, I've recently got a Forester Turbo, and have had problems with the Cat 1 alarm - apparently when you park it close to a radio mast or mobile phone transmitter the key fob signal is blocked out so you can't turn the immobiliser off without the code for the key pad in the glove box (which of course I don't have) RUN FOREST, RUN!! Its a Sigma alarm on a 2001 car, it's only screwed up once so far, my question is, is the key fob signal being blocked out a regular occurance, or shouldn't I worry about it too much?
Ta in advance if someones had this sort of trouble before.

[Supersonic]

We had a similar incident in the Impreza, when we returned to the car and tried to start it the alarm sounded and we couldn't turn it off. We had only owned the car for a short period so we didn't have the 'keypad' code at hand, we didn't have a clue what to do so we rang Subaru and they asked if it was parked close to a Police station or radio mast. It eventually stopped after what seemed like bl**dy ages(honestly can't remember what we did), very embarrassing though.

But I have never had this problem since and we always carry the 'keypad' code with us just in case.

[andy43]

Thanks for that - sounds like it's not going to happen that often, even so, I'm now booked into a Subaru dealer for them to inspect the car before they contact Subaru UK for the original code. Just hope the first owner didn't change it!

[scoobybloke]

Andy

Couple of things:

1) Your dealer can reset the alarm code to one of your choice.

2) On the Impreza, there has been a number of these problems with alarms. Many have cured the problem by having a revised alarm cover put in place, which stops the problem of the interference with certain radio frequencies. I think this should be available as a warranty job, so no cost.

Chris

[andy43]

Thanks for the info, the alarm keypad is now usable, quite funny booking the car in though - on the phone they're all 'we need your logbook, religion, passport and National Insurance number', then when you turn up they check the V5 and VIN plates and play with the car for no more than 2 minutes, changing the code for me without even having time to contact Subaru UK - makes me think these Cat1 alarms aren't quite as thief proof as you'd think if you've got the right equipment Apart from the alarm niggle, I absolutely love this car!! Maybe not a 'real' Scooby, but far more fun being a bit of a Q-car at the lights