Battery disconnection problem

[Maydose]

Trying to remove the negative terminal on my battery and cannot take it off without the alarm sounding! It is not armed when I try.
Need to disconnect to replace headlight stalk on column.......

[Joe B]

Uh, doesn't the alarm have to stop sounding once the battery's disconnected? Then when you reconnect it, you can turn the alarm off.

[jdraupp]

Yeah if your alarm sounds with the battery disconnected your car is possessed.

[JFP in PA]

Actually, it isn't possessed, it is a European model that has a separate battery and alarm annunciator from the factory, which is programmed to alarm if the main battery is disconnected.

To prevent the alarm from sounding, either disconnect the alarm horn or the alarm system battery before disconnecting the main battery.

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Actually, it isn't possessed, it is a European model that has a separate battery and alarm annunciator from the factory, which is programmed to alarm if the main battery is disconnected.

To prevent the alarm from sounding, either disconnect the alarm horn or the alarm system battery before disconnecting the main battery.

Learned something new today. Wonder why the US models don't have the same setup?

[Maydose]

he solution to the alarm sounding when disconnecting the battery is simple.......when you know how!
Turn on the ignition key to accessory position 1 then disconnect.
Blissful silence.....
Now on to the next hurdle.....how to unscrew the 2 bolts on the steering wheel air-bag.....they are very tight.....difficult to get at and need a 4mm allen key

[Meir]

Originally Posted by jdraupp

Learned something new today. Wonder why the US models don't have the same setup?

Because nobody is stilling these cars in the US.
When was the last time you heard of a stolen Boxster (or any other car for that matter)?

[Paul]

Car jacking happens most every day in Milwaukee usually by kids.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/after-years-of-decline-auto-thefts-soar-in-milwaukee-b99326624z1-270497021.html

[Meir]

Originally Posted by Paul

Car jacking happens most every day in Milwaukee usually by kids.

After years of decline, auto thefts soar in Milwaukee

That is exactly my point.
Kids.
In Europe and South America it's an industry.
A stolen car is taken apart in 10 minutes and being sold as part at the flee markets the same day.
Insurance companies in the US are more concern about collusion.
In Europe you can get a significant redection on insurance primume if you have an alarm or tracking device.
In the US you get $3 reduction per month for having a GPS device in your car.

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by Meir

Because nobody is stilling these cars in the US.
When was the last time you heard of a stolen Boxster (or any other car for that matter)?

Well they still have alarms...I was just wondering why the second alarm battery? If mine had that then the alarm wouldn't drain the battery like it does on these cars. That and the immobilizer on the boxster makes it pretty difficult to steal.

There was a semi recent episode of COPS I happened to see where a boxster was stolen in Vegas. Right out of someone's garage. So a second alarm battery is kind of irrelevant as a theft device.

[Paul]

An alarm does not help in car jacking situations. You are "encouraged" to get out of your car and they drive it away with your keys. Just happened to one of our 70 year old friends while she was sitting in a public parking lot in a good side of the city.