CoreyToronto

Hello, I have a 2001 Acura TL and my alarm randomly sounds at all hours of the day. I live in the city and my neighbors aren't exactly stoked. Has this been a problem for anyone else? Based on online inquiries, I've deduced the problem is probably related to my hood switch. The problem is: I am incredibly ill-literate under a car-hood. If possible, can I have step-by-step instructions (with pictures) that can help me disable / rig the alarm system to thinking that the hood is permanently unlatched. Would adding lube to the hood latch area make any difference? Would a possible last resort be to just cut the horn wire? Sorry for the confusion.

01tl4tl

welcome- try our DIY list first, its at the top of the master gen2 list- where you posted this 3rd item down list OFFICIAL diy
use the search feature for alarm or hood switch and 2nd gen
don't cut any wires!!! fix the problem

TLer trash

Something you can try as a temporary, or diagnostic step, would be to disconnect the two wire connector at the hood latch. With it disconnected, you'll be able to lock the car, but the alarm won't work. If you jumper across the the connector, everything works as normal, except the hood won't set off the alarm if tampered with. As I recall,(and this gets sketchier by the day) it can be difficult to release the locking connector, but any decent mechanic should be able to do it for a minimal charge.

NBP04TL4ME

If it helps - the 3G TL has 8 alarm triggers as folllow -

4 doors
Hood
Trunk
Ignition
Radio

ErickUa5

The most common solution:
Just disconnect the hood latch electrical connection, its a gray 2 wire plug near the latch.

Confirm on the dash next to the "OUTSIDE TEMP" that all doors and trunk are not showing that they are open.

When I couldn't find out what was setting it off I just disconnected the negative battery post until I resolved it. It sucks to have an alarm messing up your sleep.
Have the radio code handy if you end up at this point.

CoreyToronto

Hi All:
Thank you for the responses. I thought I successfully disconnected the hood latch sensor connection. After the (supposed) removal, I'd hit the 'lock' button on my keyless entry and neither the lights flashed or horn sounded - to indicate armed. Moreover, the 'security' light next to the lock level would not flash. However, my partner drove the car yesterday and the alarm randomly sounded twice. We're trying to figure out why. Is there a way to check to see if I successfully disconnected the hood sensor? If hit, would the panic button on my keyless entry still work (despite disconnecting the hood latch)? Sorry for the confusion.

TLer trash

^^That's what I meant by locking the car, but the alarm won't work. The lack of lights flashing, the chirp, and the security light indicate that the system is not arming. How can it go off randomly when it's not armed? Does the car have an aftermarket security system or remote starter? If you bought the car used, you might not know for sure.