Unsolvable alarm problem
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Unsolvable alarm problem
2007 Acura RDX, 132,000 miles
I was wondering if I could ping you guys for a little feedback on how to proceed with a car issue I'm having. The car has a problem where the alarm goes off in the rain. Last year the dealer "fixed" it by plugging a hole in the roof where the roof rack connects. However, the problem came back in the summer briefly and they couldn't figure it out (after 5 days with the car). Now, during the east coast rainy season, it started going off all the time and I had to disconnect the battery. The dealer says they can't just disconnect the alarm completely because it's integrated into the entire electrical system. Thus I'm at a crossroads.
1) Trade car in - although I don't think I'd get much if I told a dealer the car has this problem that can't seem to be fixed.
2) See if an alarm specialist can figure it out - I'm skeptical of this because it seems to be related to moisture and if the dealer can't figure it out, it seems unlikely they would be able to.
3) I paid $1000 for them to fix it last year (no parts all labor trying to find the leak). This was 8 months ago, part of me feels like they should be responsible to figuring it out. I don't know much about cars but my sense is that there is a million places moisture could get to the alarm sensors and perhaps it is "unsolvable".
4) Try another garage, although I'm starting from scratch here and can't really afford to pay another garage for multiple hours/days of diagnostics. And, would they really be any better than the dealer?
Caveat: the battery has been replaced, it's not one of the door sensors or hood sensor, etc. seems solely related to a seepage or crack somewhere that allows moisture in after 12-24 hours of continuous rain
Thoughts?
I was wondering if I could ping you guys for a little feedback on how to proceed with a car issue I'm having. The car has a problem where the alarm goes off in the rain. Last year the dealer "fixed" it by plugging a hole in the roof where the roof rack connects. However, the problem came back in the summer briefly and they couldn't figure it out (after 5 days with the car). Now, during the east coast rainy season, it started going off all the time and I had to disconnect the battery. The dealer says they can't just disconnect the alarm completely because it's integrated into the entire electrical system. Thus I'm at a crossroads.
1) Trade car in - although I don't think I'd get much if I told a dealer the car has this problem that can't seem to be fixed.
2) See if an alarm specialist can figure it out - I'm skeptical of this because it seems to be related to moisture and if the dealer can't figure it out, it seems unlikely they would be able to.
3) I paid $1000 for them to fix it last year (no parts all labor trying to find the leak). This was 8 months ago, part of me feels like they should be responsible to figuring it out. I don't know much about cars but my sense is that there is a million places moisture could get to the alarm sensors and perhaps it is "unsolvable".
4) Try another garage, although I'm starting from scratch here and can't really afford to pay another garage for multiple hours/days of diagnostics. And, would they really be any better than the dealer?
Caveat: the battery has been replaced, it's not one of the door sensors or hood sensor, etc. seems solely related to a seepage or crack somewhere that allows moisture in after 12-24 hours of continuous rain
Thoughts?
mrgold35
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,016
Likes: 1,660
From: ABQ, NM
I find the factory alarm about as useful as just locking your doors. It might not be worth spending $100-$300 to fix for minimal amount of protection.
When I installed an aftermarket alarm and remote start for my TSX, the audio shop bypassed the factory alarm. I couldn't use the TSX key fob, only the Viper alarm fob. I'm not 100% sure if the alarm was bypassed or just wasn't armed when the door was locked with Viper fob? Either way, an alarm/audio install place in town might be a resource on how it might works and if they will bypass when installing an aftermarket brand.
When I installed an aftermarket alarm and remote start for my TSX, the audio shop bypassed the factory alarm. I couldn't use the TSX key fob, only the Viper alarm fob. I'm not 100% sure if the alarm was bypassed or just wasn't armed when the door was locked with Viper fob? Either way, an alarm/audio install place in town might be a resource on how it might works and if they will bypass when installing an aftermarket brand.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I find the factory alarm about as useful as just locking your doors. It might not be worth spending $100-$300 to fix for minimal amount of protection.
When I installed an aftermarket alarm and remote start for my TSX, the audio shop bypassed the factory alarm. I couldn't use the TSX key fob, only the Viper alarm fob. I'm not 100% sure if the alarm was bypassed or just wasn't armed when the door was locked with Viper fob? Either way, an alarm/audio install place in town might be a resource on how it might works and if they will bypass when installing an aftermarket brand.
When I installed an aftermarket alarm and remote start for my TSX, the audio shop bypassed the factory alarm. I couldn't use the TSX key fob, only the Viper alarm fob. I'm not 100% sure if the alarm was bypassed or just wasn't armed when the door was locked with Viper fob? Either way, an alarm/audio install place in town might be a resource on how it might works and if they will bypass when installing an aftermarket brand.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 483
From: NorCal
Are there any other issue with the car like cruise control/stereo/door locks?
To eliminate the doors/hood/gate switches disconnect all of them so they cannot accidentally ground under any circumstances. If the alarm still sounds then replace the drivers door lock actuator. If the alarm still sounds after that then probably the MICU.
To eliminate the doors/hood/gate switches disconnect all of them so they cannot accidentally ground under any circumstances. If the alarm still sounds then replace the drivers door lock actuator. If the alarm still sounds after that then probably the MICU.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Are there any other issue with the car like cruise control/stereo/door locks?
To eliminate the doors/hood/gate switches disconnect all of them so they cannot accidentally ground under any circumstances. If the alarm still sounds then replace the drivers door lock actuator. If the alarm still sounds after that then probably the MICU.
To eliminate the doors/hood/gate switches disconnect all of them so they cannot accidentally ground under any circumstances. If the alarm still sounds then replace the drivers door lock actuator. If the alarm still sounds after that then probably the MICU.