Alarm Problem Keeps going off randomly - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

kingdoz · 03-10-2006, 10:05 AM

Hi Guys,

Im in the UK and own a Porsche Boxter 1999, 2.5 and as far as i know has standard alarm fitted.

It sometimes seems to go off for no reason randomly. Sometimes 5 mins or sometimes even 2 hours after i lock the car (by pressing my top button on key and the car light up twice then hear a beep), and sometimes after 2 hours. Most times alarm is fine, but as its random im to a loss as to why its happens. Sometime it goes off so i open and lock car, then it does it again a few mins later and after a few times of unlocking and unlocking prob goes away for a while until next time...

The previous owner actually warned me to lock the compartment properly behind the hand break as it sometimes happened to him, so i always check that after alarm goes off and it seemed well and truly locked.

Is it the wind? Is it something inside my car? Am i locking it worng? Ive already spend lots of money on repairs to the car so I really dont want to spend lots more taking it into Porsche who will probably not be able to recreate the problem as it happens random and will waste my money.

This is getting to be a serious problem. Im actually considering disabling the alarm altogether as its so annoying...

Any ideas?

Thanks
Doz

denverpete · 03-10-2006, 10:31 AM

It sounds like you are describing two different problems - but your post isn't entirely clear.

Does it tend to "flash twice" and then immediately beep at you? If so, the car is telling you that you have something "open". This is usually the center console box. Make sure it's secure and then try it again.

If after everything is properly closed it still beeps at you (after hitting remote) - then I'd guess that one of the sensors isn't operating properly and is reading "open" when it's actually "closed".

If it randomly beeps at you hours after you've locked it (without using the remote) - then I'm at a loss.

kingdoz · 03-10-2006, 10:37 AM

Hiya - thankf for answer. (ive edited my orginal post since you replied about the storage box).

What i meant was when i lock car, the car lights flash twice and it it beeps quickly and immediately once (which i think is the cars message to tell me its locked), then randomly after 1 hour or after 5 mins the alarm can suddenly go off

TriGem2k · 03-10-2006, 10:46 AM

Any time the alarm beeps with only one click of the key it means there is a "shot" somewhere in your car. Could be an open door, center consle, hood, trunk, radio that isnt installed right...etc. The only time it should beep is if you press the key twice quickly, the lights will turn on pause then turn off with a beep.

kingdoz · 03-10-2006, 10:59 AM

Jeez.

I was so sure that 2 flashes of car lights with quick beep means car is safely locked...

Just to confirm, when i click the big button on key once, to lock car, having 2 flashes of cars sidelights and on the second lightflash a quick beep happens, thats means something wrong? Its alwayd done that since i bought the car a couple of months ago. Surely if that was the case, my alarm would always go off, not just every few days randomly etc... Only thing i can think of is car has a different radio than standard, but would that cause the random alarms?

TriGem2k · 03-10-2006, 11:04 AM

Yes it would, the alarm is looking for the factory radio unit

kingdoz · 03-10-2006, 11:14 AM

If it is indeed the radio, then thats weird then, as still doesnt solve problem as why alarm can randomly go off a few times in 1 day and why after a few opening and locking sometimes could go off again and could not not anymore, and why some days alarm never goes off.

MNBoxster · 03-10-2006, 11:18 AM

Hi,

FYI, the ROW Alarm System differs from the one in the US Model Cars.

For one thing, the IR Sensor is not deactivated with the Top down - no need for the Red Clip. There are some other differences as well. I'm not sure any of this effects your problem/cure, that's why I label it FYI...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

kingdoz · 03-10-2006, 11:55 AM

i still have a feeling its not the radio - maybe the beep is because of the radio when i lock door, but alarm going off randomly is the real problem...

TriGem2k · 03-10-2006, 11:58 AM

I am almost certain the beep is because of the radio....But why your alarm goes off I have no idea sorry

98Boxster98 · 03-10-2006, 02:18 PM

I've read that it might be a faulty alarm control unit may cause random alarms and that a PST2 can display reasons for the alarm.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5655&hl=#

TriGem2k · 03-10-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98Boxster98

I've read that it might be a faulty alarm control unit may cause random alarms and that a PST2 can display reasons for the alarm.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5655&hl=#

King...98Boxster98 makes a good point. Just have the alarm fault read and that will point you in the right directions....

kingdoz · 03-10-2006, 02:29 PM

hi -

thx for your help guys - how do i get my alarm fault read?
sorry to sound stupid...

TriGem2k · 03-10-2006, 04:19 PM

Dealer plugs it into their computer....

kingdoz · 03-11-2006, 02:44 AM

Hi,

One last question.

Reading through posts i heard that if you click the lock button twice in quick succession it switches off the alarm. Is that correct, or does it just switch off the inside sensors? You see, what im confused about is if the inside sensors switch off, is the car still alarmed if someone tries to break in or steal the car.

Thanks for all your help