3 replies to this topic

[finalfurlong]

Hi all, can someone help. I have a 87 mayfair running its original 998 however it has been fitted with an aftermarket cat 1 alarm / immobiliser. Living in Cornwall is great but the really bad weather recently has upset my beloved mini. Just last night my alarm started going off for no reason, not happened before. I tried to dis-arm from the fob but no joy. Couldn't even re-arm either and the led light is not flashing. I left it for a while and returned to the car and it all worked as normal. A few hours later same problem again but this time I can hear crackling coming from the alarm sounder, I did some wire jiggling and did the usual open all doors, boot and bonnet but no help so in the end had to disconnect battery. I am thinking maybe corroded earth due to wet weather, I don't expect it to be battery dieting as it had a new one in march and it starts fine. Can anyone help as I have my mot due in the next two weeks and don't want added electrical expenses! Thankyou

[sledgehammer]

some earlier alarms (after market) have a battery backup - maybe worth a look

otherwise pull a few connectors & spray with wd40 - check main feeds as well

door / bonnet / boot switches are a favorite for corrosion also in-line fuse's

also remember the old car thief trick - trigger the alarm at 2:00 am , then every 1/2 hour

until the alarm is disarmed by the owner

Edited by sledgehammer, 01 January 2013 - 11:13 PM.

[finalfurlong]

Not so much of an issue on the later as I live in a quiet village and my car lives on my drive secluded from the road. Will have a look at all those points, thanks.

[finalfurlong]

So cleaned all points and earths but still had issue. Decided to take dash out to investigate wiring and disconnect if possible to bypass alarm, found fob sensor which was fine then found alarm unit itself. Disconnected and hey presto no cracking and car starts fine. Boom job done, or so I thought as I was walking away from the car and it seems to arm itself. Hmmm car now won't start great cannot rely on disconnection with intermittent arming so had a look at sealed unit itself and saw some water dripping from lower cable access so think it may have got moisture in at some point and shorting the system. I sprayed a bit of the trusty wd40 in to it and gave it a little shake and hey presto alarm is working partially as advertised. Fine when disarmed but temperamental when armed so will do for short term but thing a new alarm system is required, can anyone suggest a good one?