Zafira alarm problems

Discussion in 'Zafira' started by Mike J, Aug 14, 2004.

  1. Mike J

    Mike J Guest

    The alarm is going off at random - at night only!

    It had the siren replaced a month ago because it kept giving out the 4 beeps
    when the keys were removed from the ignition. I ripped apart the old siren
    and found the problem was caused by corrosion - a cheap cure if you can
    split the unit without destroying it.

    Anyway, the hazard led shows no errors.

    Does the tech2 unit show why alarms went off, or only errors in the system?

    My dealer says it maybe the rear window sensors - replacement will be very
    expensive.

    Any ideas?

    TIA,
    Mike.
     
    Mike J, Aug 14, 2004
    #1
  2. Mike J

    Tim Colston Guest

    If its anything like the problem i had recently it could be the back up
    section of the alarm.
    The alarm on my Zafira was going off at random but it was only the backup
    section(high pitched part, not the horn or the hazzard lights) no matter
    wether the alarm was on or not or if the car was open, it even went off a
    couple of times while the engine was running!! as it was not the 'alarm'
    being triggered it showed no faults on the led.
    Luckily, it was replaced under warranty after a couple of trips to the vx
    dealer after they found no fault.

    Since they replaced the powersounder its been fine.

    Hope that helps

    Tim

    Tim
     
    Tim Colston, Aug 14, 2004
    #2
  3. Mike J

    mike Guest

    yes tech2 will tell you the reason.
    what do you mean by the rear window sensors?
    another known problem is the internal movement sensors.
    have you tried hitting the disable button (left dog inside) before you leave
    it?

    mike
     
    mike, Aug 15, 2004
    #3
  4. Mike J

    Mike J Guest

    Tim,

    Thanks for the info, but in my situation, every item was 'working' - lights,
    horn and siren. Another 'option' was that the air vents (heater system) were
    open and wind was getting into the car activating the ultrasonics, at least
    that is what the dealer said could happen.

    Mike.
     
    Mike J, Aug 15, 2004
    #4
  5. Mike J

    Mike J Guest

    Mike,
    How long does the alarm reason hold?
    The dealer said these sensors fail and have to be manually checked by an
    electrician - lots of trim removed and new windows - sounds like they need
    some work on their books. I don't think I will pursue that route!

    BTW, as my car has the multifunction display, which can show some faults
    controlled by the ECU (oil level), why isn't there a user interrogation
    mode? It would be relatively simple for the system to display the last alarm
    reason, and any ECU errors that are occurring. Isn't user access to ECU info
    mandatory in the US nowadays?

    Mike.
     
    Mike J, Aug 15, 2004
    #5
  6. Mike J

    mike Guest

    AFAIK it stores all recorded faults until reset.

    i would go with the sensors (ultrasonic) being crap.

    my sintra always did it, now i just leave the siren until disconnect. sorted
    (though i live in te sticks!!)

    if alan is around he will tell you about these units, they fail 10/10
    times..

    have you the disable button?

    u didn't ans that one.

    mike
     
    mike, Aug 15, 2004
    #6
  7. Mike J

    Me2 Guest

    Get a tech test done and it will show the last 9 causes of alarm activation.
    If it comes up as "pane break" it means the thin electronic strip around
    your rear side windows has gone open circuit so the alarm thinks the window
    has been smashed. Easy to check with a multi meter.
     
    Me2, Aug 16, 2004
    #7
  8. Mike J

    Mike J Guest

    I haven't used the ultrasonic disable buttons recently, but they are there
    and seem to work.

    I have had no problems recently. I have also noticed that the alarm has only
    gone off when the car is in a certain place - near the road. Perhaps
    something is setting it off. It is possible that there is extra exposure to
    wind in that position.
     
    Mike J, Aug 23, 2004
    #8
  9. Mike J

    mike Guest

    if you disable the movement sensors, does the car still have random alrms?
    might be sunlight, wind, rocking loose toys, air freshener etc etc.
    mike
     
    mike, Aug 23, 2004
    #9
  10. Mike J

    Bilko130 Guest

    "mike"
    My advice is, Look at your rear window's. The last windows on
    the N/S/ & O/S/R of the vehicle.
    If indeed, you have "Pane break sensors" you will see an
    "Element" similar to a heated rear screen element. An easy way to tell
    is, look for 2 connectors (they look like press-hoods) at the bottom,
    center of the glass.(You may have to remove some interior panneling to
    see them)
    A very common fault is vandal damage. After a break-in, someone
    replaces the glass without a pane break element. Your alarm is then
    simply doing it's job as, It continually looks for resistance. No
    connection, No resistance. Log's a fault.
    If you have elements In BOTH windows, check connections
    themselves. Corrosion, loose, "green crap" increases resistance. Your
    alarm has a preset min-max resistance value stored to refer to. Any
    higher/lower, log's a fault. Not unusual to find loose connections...
    If above is O.K. get a multimeter, set on Ohm's value, and
    measure resistance of both window elements. If one is open circuit,
    Get some heated rear element repair paint to try to repair. Look at
    the glass carefully, you will find a break in the element. Follow the
    instructions to repair the element in the paint pack. This is a "suck
    it and see repair"
    If you DON'T have sensors fitted, (And no wiring to the
    windows. Check for it first...) You most likley have an alarm E.C.U.
    fault. MUST go to a Vx dealer, no option. Alarm is tie'd into your
    Immobiliser and will need programming to your car. Scrapyard option is
    not available to you as, they are linked to your chassis number and
    immobiliser code and are not(AFAIK)re-programable.
    As an ex Vx tech, who has seen this fault many times, I once
    saw a "fix" involving a resistor soldered in-line. However, this
    defeat's the reason for pane break sensors and, cannot be a sensible
    option.
    Hope this helps
    Bilko130
     
    Bilko130, Aug 24, 2004
    #10
  11. Mike J

    mike Guest

    nice info as always, i hope the originator finds it useful.

    mike
    ps pete says tnx for sorting the disks
     
    mike, Aug 24, 2004
    #11
  12. Mike J

    Mike J Guest

    if you disable the movement sensors, does the car still have random alrms?
    The alarm has not gone off for the past week or so, so it is probably due to
    wind entering through the air vents and setting off the ultrasonics. If the
    alarm goes off with the car in the 'wind free zone', then I will check the
    ultrasonic disable route.

    Thanks for the assistance.
     
    Mike J, Aug 25, 2004
    #12
  13. Mike J

    Mike J Guest

    My advice is, Look at your rear window's. The last windows on
    The car has the alarm sensors in both rear side windows and they seem the
    original items. As the alarm has only sounded in a 'windy' area, I will park
    in the usual area near the house. If this doesn't cure the problem, I will
    start testing the window continuity.

    Thanks for the assistance.
     
    Mike J, Aug 25, 2004
    #13
  14. I work for a vauxhall dealership down in Lincolnshire and am I fleet ops
    manager the problem you are desribing to me sounds very like a power sounder
    if you are getting four beeps when taking keys out the ignition etc and the
    alarm is going of randomly then you need i would say to thw power sounder
    changed. If i can be of any help feel free to email me
     
    Martin Pratley, Sep 6, 2004
    #14
  15. Mike J

    Mike J Guest

    Hi,

    If you were refering to me, the 4 bleep problem was cured by a new sounder.
    The old one had contact corrosion - I guess it was the voltage sense wire,
    as the sounder operated OK.

    Since the work was carried out, the alarm was going off once or twice a week
    at night, at random - 1am, 5am, 6am. Then again it was OK for a week.

    A guy at work said it was a moth in the car (it has ultrasonics) and sure
    enough, last week a spider descended down from the passenger visor area
    right in front of the sensor. The wee beasty has been ejected and so far no
    more alarms (6 days).

    HTHs,
    Mike


    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "Martin Pratley" <>
    Newsgroups: free.uk.cars.vauxhall
    Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 6:22 PM
    Subject: Re: Zafira alarm problems
     
    Mike J, Sep 9, 2004
    #15
  16. Mike J

    Mike J Guest

    If you were refering to me, the 4 bleep problem was cured by a new
    Alarms have come back with a vengance and so I guess I hadn't cured it after
    all. I managed to get a Tech2 check and it came up with multiple pane
    breaks!!

    It seems bilko130 is 130% correct :)

    The question now is, how to remove the rear trim - do you have to follow the
    TIS info and remove almost half the interior trim, or can you get away with
    a few clips and reach 'in' to clean up some contacts.

    As the alarms happened when I got a new sounder (and a software update)
    could the problem be caused by a sounder wiring fault (alarm loom to rear
    goes via sounder loom?) or could the ECU alarm parameters have be changed
    with the software upgrade?

    I have pressed against the appropriate windows, but have not got the alarm
    to go off - is this proof that the windows are OK and the problem is wiring?

    TIA
     
    Mike J, Oct 25, 2004
    #16
  17. Mike J

    mike Guest

    i would suspect it's the contacts, there were a few posts a while ago on
    these.
    they just tarnish esp in this colder damper weather now.

    you might get away with a good squirt of switch cleaner (not WD40) which
    will remove the tarnish & leave a residue to protect against further
    contamination, but if you can get to the contact just a wiggle normally
    sorts it, but you still need to protect against it happening again.

    as i say, look back in the alarm threads, i think it's there, if not, bilko
    i'm sure will help whwn he is around next

    mike
     
    mike, Oct 25, 2004
    #17
  18. Mike J

    RoyBhoy8

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2020
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    Hi Martin, hope you are still here? My issue is that my LED indicates a fault, flashing light when locking the car with the FOB, have disconnected the Power Sounder, to confirm that its not that (No "bleeps" coming from it before the disconnect) and check rear sensors in the break 1/4 window's all looks good but alarm still goes off but a least its the horn sounding, any ideas what to check next? All doors seem ok, locking and unlocking.
     
    RoyBhoy8, Mar 8, 2021
    #18
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