Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Terry_Seyforth on 16 November 2007, 11:48:44
-
Hi just lately the alarm goes off without reason, not sure why, it seems to be late in the everning/morning, I did remove the cd and did notice when the alarm went off the light near the cd changer was flashing red, which I prosume is a indication that there is a theft, but the problem is that it went off on a couple of nights before I removed the cd changer/tape, are these cars prone for the alarms going off, I have had this car for about 6 weeks now, it only seems to have been playing up recently ?
:'( any ideas thanks.
-
Hi just lately the alarm goes off without reason, not sure why, it seems to be late in the everning/morning, I did remove the cd and did notice when the alarm went off the light near the cd changer was flashing red, which I prosume is a indication that there is a theft, but the problem is that it went off on a couple of nights before I removed the cd changer/tape, are these cars prone for the alarms going off, I have had this car for about 6 weeks now, it only seems to have been playing up recently ?
:'( any ideas thanks.
The common cause is the bonnet switch, the mounting gets bent by hand fisted mechanics.....so my first steps would be.
1) Inspect the switch mount and make sure its vertical (its back right of the engine bay mounted by the passenger suspension turret), you can simply un-plug it to prove its this.
2) If with the bonnet sensor disconnected the alarm still sounds, try pressing the alarm button before locking the car, this disables the ultrasonic sensors.....which then helps to eliminate these from the investigation.
I suspect it will be the bonnet sensor though which as said can go off if the switch is not vertical because the bonnet expands and contracts with the changes in temperature.
Other possibles are
a) Failing power sounder battery
b) Failing main car battery
But lets start with the simple stuff first.
-
There are a couple of common causes to look into:
1) Bonnet switch. Sometimes the bonnet warps as it heats / cools and this can set it off if the switch is a bit sensitive. If you simply unplug the switch and try it for a few days- if it doesn't go off this is your problem.
2) Power sounder. This is located under the plastic scuttle cover and provides backup if the vehicle's battery is disconnected. It's a siren module with internal batteries that degrade with time and can leak over the circuit, causing false triggers. Do a search on here and you will find information on how to locate and disconnect it.
3) Internal sensors. Try pressing the button on the dash before setting to disable the ultrasonic and movement sensors.
4) There is, IIRC, a wire from the alarm to the radio to detect radio removal. This needs to be grounded if you change the radio, for example by connecting it to the radio chassis using a tag.
Kevin
-
:'( well this is getting technical....... I have had a cam belt changed so there has been a machanic under the bonet, I will look at this first, and unplug it, to see if this remedies the problem. if it does do i buy a new one ?
I will try this first.
I am working away today but my partner said it went off today when she got out and left it for a minute to go in the shops.
I am home tomorrow and will try the first step.
You know I spoke to my partner today and she said she loves this car, which I do love driving too, I do to all be it that its very firsty.
I am although getting a bit concerned as I have only had the car a short while and finding many niggley things, that do cost a lot of money to buy.
oh well I suppose when you have a classy car you pay the price.
Will let you know step by step of progress.
What would i do without your knowledge, scream most prob.
Thanks a lot. speak to you soon.
-
Just a update, dont think its the bonnet alarm.
What I have noticed though is there seems to be two types of alarm on this car, you got the normal horn alarm and a high pitch alarm, its the high pitch alarm thats going off, I went to the shops yesturday, didnt put the alarm on as I left the car it just started going off, the high pitch, I tried the key to switch the car alarm off, although I didnt put it on, but it just continued, it goes off when it feels like it, 3.30 am, or maybe 15.30 pm not predictable ?
So can we ID the high pitch alarm, does this link to anything in particular ?
Thanks all
-
Well it just wont stop going off now, i have disconnected the bonnet and it still went off, i have had to take the fuse from the battery to stop it.
si after the bonnet what sensor should i try next please.
Thanks :'(
-
I have now disconnected the light above my head to the front center, I think this has a sensor in it ? am I right, I will see how this goes. :'(
-
3) Internal sensors. Try pressing the button on the dash before setting to disable the ultrasonic and movement sensors.
could you explain step by step please ? :-/
-
3) Internal sensors. Try pressing the button on the dash before setting to disable the ultrasonic and movement sensors.
could you explain step by step please ? :-/
The button on the dash with a man running away from the 3 curved lines ;) is used to temporarily disable the ultrasonics so that you can leave your dog/sleeping child etc in the car without upsetting the alarm. If you press this button before you leave the car & before you enable the car alrm ie lock it you're checking whether or not it's the interior ultrasonics that's setting off your alarm. I would think that when you unplug the centre courtesy lamp (later car with ultrasonics inbuilt? ) you'll upset the alarm further cos it won't be able to see the 'sonics.
-
how many sensors are there inside the car, ultrasonics ?
I removed the sensor because i was advised to remove the supply to the bonnet sensor, it still went off, so wasnt that, but you are saying removing the light ultrasonic will disrupt the curcit. Well I put the fuses back in and removed the light sensor, not gone off yet, but it does seem to wait till hours in the morning, its quite regular time in the morning, about 3.30 am :'(
I will try the button as you suggested, I will press it and then get out and then put alarm on, this will leave the sensors off, but the only problem is there is no visual sign saying the sensors are off, just push button once then, try I shall.
someone mentioned the power sounder ? I think I may have ruled this one out as when the fuses are pulled the alarm doesnt go off, and the power sounder has its own battery ? Am i right ?
Can you for the thick person, thats me, the key has boot, and two more uses, one to open doors, and the other locks, but does this one once pressed again enable something else. I was told to press once to lock and then again to enable alarm ?
-
Is it estate? Then try to disconnect back window sensors (brown lines on the window with 2 connectors). Mine was going off because of that, and as TheBoy checked it wasn't the sensor, but problem on the line (connection, broken wire.). Same symptoms, alarm was going off at night, 3-5 am. I don't know where exactly problem is, and have more important thing to fix in my car at the moment, so these sensors are disconnected now.
-
No not estate thanks.
The person who said lets start here, can I have some more help please :'(.
I disconnected the light sensor, didnt go off till 1.30 am this morning, so it isnt the BONNET or the LIGHT sensor, helllllllllllllllllp what next. :-/
My friend said last night that sometimes the air can come through the vents and the sensor can pick it up, but the sensor was removed so that rules this out I suppose :-/
-
Ok....other possibles are.
1) Failing power sounder.
2) A sudden power drain.
Air through the vents is VERY much a long shot, this will only cause trouble if it actualy casues something to move i.e. a childs sun shade etc.
So, next step.
a) Unplug the pwoer sounder which is under the drivers side scuttle area (large ish black item).
The ideal would be to get the fault codes read.
-
Hi I have heard about disconnecting the power sounder, but what will this prevent working in the future, I read somewhere that they have replaced the power sounder battery, this is the link what they said you could use but feel a bit unsure, http://www.cellpacksolutions.com/Search_Data_Sheet.asp?ID=UO120364
So next step is remove power sounder. I await your reply.
Is this not just stopping the alarm and not finding what the problem is ?
-
Where can I get these read, fault codes, vauxhall I suppose. Arm and a leg :'(
-
Next stage in the diagnosis.....is to disconnect the sounder.
You dont fix anything until you know what to fix...... :y
-
Sorry for so many questions but.
If you disconnect the power sounder what is this proving ? does this not rule out other sensors ? are you just taking the sorce away ?
Thanks.
I will although do as you say, I am going to start now, cant handle any more sleepless nights, the thing is when I am going through the prcess of elimination so far to find out if it has cured the problem, I have to get up all hours of the night to turn the bloody thing off :'(
I going ....
-
It simply removes the power sounder from the equation.....the actual clever bit is in the central locking ecu......
There are two sirens on the system, one is a horn and the other a battery backed sounder....so your only removing one of the warning devices.
-
I have removed the power sounder. its a square black thingy with a bell shape front, 10mm retaining bolt on the top.
What next sir....
Do I just wait ?
-
Now monitor it.....the internal sensors are ruled out and the bonnet switch, next most likely culprit is this.....
-
I gather it has its own internal rechargable battery. which I gather could be loosing its charge, am I getting close.
So if the alarm goes off now, prob 3.30 in the morning, all be it the horn sound now, we know its not the power sounder ?
Are the sensors still armed ? :-?
-
The sensors are still armed......but the horn is removed....it might be that the batteries are failing in the sounder and that a fault is being caused as they get very cold at night.....
-
Sorry being thick, so we removed the power sounder, the bonnet and the sensors wont work, so how do we know which it is, bonnet,sensor,power sounder, or are you just deciding between what sets what off, like horn or power sounder, doors or sensors ? :-/
-
As stated, there are two sounders.....horn and power.....the power sounder is now not connected but the horn one is......rhe bonnet switch we know is good and the ultrasonics have been shown not to be at fault (they rarely are but are easy to disable using the switch)
-
I mean it does sound more theasable that it would be the battery loosing its charge in the power sounder, but what confuses me is that yes, when driving the car in the day, over night it drains when getting cold, but what confuses me is that I drove it to the shops, all be it only 1/2 mile away, got out, and the alarm went straight off ?
I will stop asking questions or you will get frustrated with me, and not help, i dont want that, I just think to much :question
-
So its a waiting game, if the alarm doesnt go off, it most prob this black thingy I have in front of me. :-*
-
Yep its a waiting game for you now to see if the alarm still triggers
What Mark is saying is the omega has two alarm horns, a power sounder which has a backup battery for if someone trys to remove your main car battery to stop the alarm going off.
The second Alarm Horn sounds like a car horn to gos off if any of the alarm sensors are activated or been tampered with.
What happenes with the power sounder is the back up batterys in it fails and and it will not hold charge any more or the batterys in it leak shorting out the circuts in the power sounder, and the ecu thinks the power sounder is being tampered with so sets off the alarm.
If the alarm is triggered and both the normal alarm horn and the power sounder are in good working order they will both sound
-
Thanks you, very clear, me not to bright.... :P
What does worry me is though, I just phoned my local vauxhall rip off merchants >:( .
I asked them about the power sounder, they didnt know what I ment, till I explained, I told them it might be just the lingo ?
Siren they called it.
he said about £57 to replace, oh and sir we will have to reset the codes, ah I said how much, er about £60, is he for real, I am so bloody annoyed with this car right now, vauxhalls are a bloody rip off, I know that the reset will take seconds, I had a friend take my car to vauxhalls to check fault for oxygen sensor ( he knows the guy), it took him no time at all. The prob is that I dont want to keep asking him.
There doesnt seem a way round this, if I get a second hand one or even refit this one will I have to reset the codes ? grrrrrrrr :'( :'( :'(
Or shall I just leave the bloody thing off, if they really want to take the main battery, which removes the other alarm so be it.
Sorry for this, but I am sitting here , and I can hear the alarm going off, all be it,it isnt, its just ringing in my head, where I have been up all night.
If I leave this off, will I have to bridge the connections ?
Will the other alarm sense this is missing.
I know Im jumping the gun as we said we would wait to see if it goes off.
sorry waiting :-/ :'(
-
Sorry they both sound when the alarm goes off.
-
i think the next thing for you is patience!
so many questions when mark dtm has told you the way forward. one thing at a time!
i too have an alarm that randomly goes off whether armed or not, whether driving or not! i haven't yet removed the powersounder due to various weather/work/light issues but will do soon.
As there seem to be loads of alarm threads going round at the moment you've probably had all your answers now. but in future, i'd play the waiting game more!
Basically you don't need a powersounder anwyay, especially if the rest of your system is fine (which i think the tests have showed so far?), but also especially if, like me, not a single person has queried why the alarm is going off!
nobody takes any notice of a car alarm any more. The only ones worth having are trackers or those that SMS text you to say it's going off. no passers-by cares about a noisy one!
good luck with your sleep tonight. i think you'll have plenty :)
-
I had the same in my last astra.
Alarm would go off when alarmed, unlocked, or even driving!
swapped powersounders under warrenty.
Vaux said 'Dont think of it as the alarm going off, think of it as just the (faulty) sounder going off' which made sense to me, probably wrong though ;D
-
Well power sounder removed, I did get a night sleep. So could this be the problem then, or is there anything else that is linked to this power sounder that would cause the problem ?
I spoke to the guy up the corner and he thinks he can get it trade. prob about £37 he said.
Thanks.
For The guy that said I should be more patient I agree, but when you seem to get one thing after another it is very taxing :'(
-
or you could save £37 and not have a powersounder ;)
with the extra bonus of the fact it cannot happen again ;D
-
Tempting ::)
The thought is with this car there are so many gadgets, if I keep removing them I will have a load of cable ends with no purpose :-?
I will see what the outcome is first , whether you guys think it is the power sounder :-/
Cheers
-
whether you guys think it is the power sounder undecided
It sounds like it's the power sounder, all right!
There is the option of replacing the batteries in your existing power sounder. Depends if it has been badly mullered by batteries leaking over the circuit board. It's not an easy task, though. Case needs to be cut open, batteries soldered in and then case glued back together. An option though. I'd be happy to take a look at it if you like. To be honest, though, it is probably just as well to remove it. It's only there as a backup to the main alarm if someone disconnects the vehicle battery.
Kevin
-
Do we know what type batteries to put in, rechargable brand, will it have them stamped on the side of the batteries what brand, I have a soldering iron, im quite dab handed with repairing once I know what the problem is, I will take apart today and see if it has leaked over the curcuit board.
Thanks
-
They're little 3.6 volt PCB mounted batteries. Two of them in my one. If they haven't leaked all over the place then a DIY change would be fine.
Problem is, the paste that leaks from them is quite conductive and on mine it has got under a load of surface mount components and shorted them out so I haven't bothered to try and repair it yet.
Have a look inside and see what's happened :y
Kevin
-
I will thanks........... :-*
-
Firstly I would like to say thank you to those that have directed me in the right direction with my alarm on my 2001 elite estate. It had a mind of its own going off when ever it felt like it at work and at home, which was p*?%ing off work colleagues and neighbours. A quick search revealed numerous threads on the power sounder and how they fail. £57 lighter today and now having fitted it, it is silenced and it appears that the range of the remote has also increased ????? Is this my imagination I wonder.
To fit the new power sounder, remove both windscreen wipers. If they are corroded to the the spindles, having removed the nut, pour boiling water over the wiper arms near the spindle and the soak in penetrating oil. Dont pour water over the windscreen, incase it cracks!! A firm wiggle and they freed off easily. Remove the scuttle panel and then turn the ignition onto stage two (all ignition/ dashboard lights lit). Remove the 10mm bolt and unplug the sounder. Wrap it in a blanket to deaden the sound or wear ear plugs. Plug new sounder in, turn ignition off and as a Haynes manual would say reassembly the the reverse of removal. Test the alarm by locking the car with the fob and then wait until the LED on the dash slows then unlock the car using the key in the door. Both the horn and the siren should sound.
Any way I have now dismantled my old power sounder with a view replacing the old rechargable batteries.
So for a 2001 Omega Elite Estate 3.2 the part number for the siren is GM 9194455
The replacement batteries for the sounder are Varta batteries part number 3/V150H with pins, you will require 2 costing you about £10
Follow this link [url][http://www.budgetbatteries.co.uk/20940/3-v150h-size-mempac-nimh-3-6v-150mah-varta-rechargeable-memory-protection-battery-pcb-mount//url]
To replace them carfully cut round the plastic join and separate the front and the back of the power sounder. Having got your batteries then desolder the old ones and solder in the new. The Printed Circuit Board is held in by four clips which can be released with ease. Having soldered in the new batteries reseal the unit using some instant gasket and insulation tape.
I now have a spare Power Sounder that I am keeping for when my new one decides to go belly up.
-
Well done on the repair and welcome to the forum :y
Kevin
-
Thanks what would I do without this forum, :'( :'( :'( :'(
I will try the repair, if not it is being left off :)
Thanks :y