Alarm Help

Kiwirover · 18th May 2007, 09:44

Help… My alarm doesn’t seem to be working and it would appear that this has been the case for some time. I had just assumed that the dash indicator wasn’t working and it wasn’t until I read some posts on this board and did some tests that I realised all was not well.
The central locking is functioning correctly and the indicators flash three times. But the dash board indicator does not illuminate flash or do anything.
I have tried locking myself in the car and opening the bonnet but no alarm activates.
I have tried locking the car with the drivers door partially closed but no warning beep is sounded.

I understand that the alarm and central locking is controlled via the BCU. Could the alarm have been disabled via the T4 diagnostic gear by a previous owner? Is this even possible – I wouldn't have thought so. This is just a perimeter alarm as I do not have the volumetric type.
I have checked all fuses both in the cabin and in the engine bay but they are all ok. I have also disconnected the battery for an hour to "reset" the BCU etc.

I don’t relish visiting the “friendly” (and expensive) agents.
I just had a second key ordered from them at a cost of NZ$750 (that’s about 250 quid!) plus they want the car for an hour to sync it. On top of that there’s a six week turnaround ex UK.

I hope there’s something I have missed?

Can anyone advise? I understand that it may not be appropriate to discuss this topic on the board, please feel free to email me direct.

Thanks in advance.

driverjgp · 18th May 2007, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwirover

Help… My alarm doesn’t seem to be working and it would appear that this has been the case for some time. I had just assumed that the dash indicator wasn’t working and it wasn’t until I read some posts on this board and did some tests that I realised all was not well.
The central locking is functioning correctly and the indicators flash three times. But the dash board indicator does not illuminate flash or do anything.
I have tried locking myself in the car and opening the bonnet but no alarm activates.
I have tried locking the car with the drivers door partially closed but no warning beep is sounded.

I understand alarms and central locking is controlled via the BCU. Could the alarm have been disabled via the T4 diagnostic gear by a previous owner? Is this even possible – I didn’t think so. This is just a perimeter alarm as I do not have the volumetric type.
I have checked all fuses both in the cabin and in the engine bay but they are all ok. I have also disconnected the battery for an hour to "reset" the BCU etc.

I don’t relish visiting the “friendly” (and expensive) agents.
I just had a second key ordered from them at a cost of NZ$750 (that’s about 250 quid!) plus they want the car for an hour to sync it. On top of that there’s a six week turnaround ex UK.

I hope there’s something I have missed?

Can anyone advise? I understand that it may not be appropriate to discuss this topic on the board, please feel free to email me direct.

Thanks in advance.

Mmmm never heard that one before.....I'm sure someone will be along soon to assist you in this matter.

Moonstone · 18th May 2007, 13:46

The only reason I can think a user would disconnect the alarm would be spurious triggering due to faulty boot/bonnet/door sensors, but you would be seeing a dash warning if that was the case and it would be easier to just "fix" the sensor.

Maybe you just have a faulty BCU. I'm sure T4 diagnostic system can talk to this. I've seen an icon for the alarm on a screen dump.

Here's a similar thread, also with a NZ poster:
http://forums.mg-rover.org/showpost....91&postcount=8

shifter · 18th May 2007, 13:48

though i cant help, mine has just lost the ability to give a siren-If i 'break in'
the hazards flash but no sound at all!

Cuda-uk · 18th May 2007, 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifter

though i cant help, mine has just lost the ability to give a siren-If i 'break in'
the hazards flash but no sound at all!

Have a look where the pollen filter/ecu are kept, as it is possible that the wiring may have been dislodged, as mine didn't work after replacing the filter. A two minute fix.

Kiwirover · 18th May 2007, 16:14

Thanks for the ideas and other thoughts chaps. I will have a look around the engine bay ECU for anything amiss in the morning (well it’s already morning here - 4:14am actually) so I am off to bed now and will get back to you on the morrow.
At least I have something else to go on...

Thanks
Graham

Kiwirover · 19th May 2007, 02:45

Ok. I’ve taken the ECU out, checked the connecting block for corrosion (all clean) and can find nothing else in the area apart from a very grungy looking pollen filter (to be changed).

There are two other plugs next to the ECU which are not connected to anything.
One plug has four pins – two orange and two black wires
The other plug has two pins – one black and a red/white wire
Any idea what these are for?

Thanks again for your responses

Christopher · 19th May 2007, 09:01

Kia ora!

One of the plugs there is for the battery back up for the alarm - don't know about the other ...

Kiwirover · 20th May 2007, 01:53

Thanks for all the responses chaps.

Well it would appear that the alarm has been disabled by the previous owner and will need a visit to the local highway robbers and their T4 to reactivate and of course pay their fee.

I suppose I can take some comfort in the knowledge that throughout the process I have learnt a lot more about the 75 and that I don’t have a battery backup or the secondary siren. On the other hand I do have two "now I know what they are for" plugs in the plenum…

Thanks again,
Graham

webteb · 20th May 2007, 07:08

Hi Kiwi Rover,
I'm over in Blenheim an have exactly the same problem. I tried the Rover dealers in CHCH and they thought the alarm wasn't fitted and said it was a market (mine's imported from Singapore) option. I lost faith at that point.

I'm afraid I think the only option is to have access to an actual T4 with someone who is actually trained on the 75.

If you have decent Rover support over in Wellington, ask them if they heve full T4 diagnostic capabiltiy with market option settings.

Sorry this is not a fix, but after a great deal of DIY car disassembly and checking, it's the only advise I have.

18th May 2007, 09:44	#1
Kiwirover Loves to post 1999 75 Con SE 2.5 Auto Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lower Hutt Posts: 326 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Alarm Help Help… My alarm doesn’t seem to be working and it would appear that this has been the case for some time. I had just assumed that the dash indicator wasn’t working and it wasn’t until I read some posts on this board and did some tests that I realised all was not well. The central locking is functioning correctly and the indicators flash three times. But the dash board indicator does not illuminate flash or do anything. I have tried locking myself in the car and opening the bonnet but no alarm activates. I have tried locking the car with the drivers door partially closed but no warning beep is sounded. I understand that the alarm and central locking is controlled via the BCU. Could the alarm have been disabled via the T4 diagnostic gear by a previous owner? Is this even possible – I wouldn't have thought so. This is just a perimeter alarm as I do not have the volumetric type. I have checked all fuses both in the cabin and in the engine bay but they are all ok. I have also disconnected the battery for an hour to "reset" the BCU etc. I don’t relish visiting the “friendly” (and expensive) agents. I just had a second key ordered from them at a cost of NZ$750 (that’s about 250 quid!) plus they want the car for an hour to sync it. On top of that there’s a six week turnaround ex UK. I hope there’s something I have missed? Can anyone advise? I understand that it may not be appropriate to discuss this topic on the board, please feel free to email me direct. Thanks in advance. Last edited by Kiwirover; 3rd June 2007 at 09:12..

18th May 2007, 13:48	#4
shifter Avid contributor Mg Ztt Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maidenhead Posts: 137 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	though i cant help, mine has just lost the ability to give a siren-If i 'break in' the hazards flash but no sound at all! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Commision number ZT-11730

18th May 2007, 16:14	#6
Kiwirover Loves to post 1999 75 Con SE 2.5 Auto Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lower Hutt Posts: 326 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the ideas and other thoughts chaps. I will have a look around the engine bay ECU for anything amiss in the morning (well it’s already morning here - 4:14am actually) so I am off to bed now and will get back to you on the morrow. At least I have something else to go on... Thanks Graham Last edited by Kiwirover; 18th May 2007 at 16:21..

19th May 2007, 02:45	#7
Kiwirover Loves to post 1999 75 Con SE 2.5 Auto Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lower Hutt Posts: 326 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Ok. I’ve taken the ECU out, checked the connecting block for corrosion (all clean) and can find nothing else in the area apart from a very grungy looking pollen filter (to be changed). There are two other plugs next to the ECU which are not connected to anything. One plug has four pins – two orange and two black wires The other plug has two pins – one black and a red/white wire Any idea what these are for? Thanks again for your responses Last edited by Kiwirover; 19th May 2007 at 02:55..

19th May 2007, 09:01	#8
Christopher Owners Club Director Rover 75 V6 Copperleaf Red, MG ZTT 190+ Lagoon & Early MGF Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Rugby Posts: 9,287 Thanks: 105 Thanked 343 Times in 81 Posts	Kia ora! One of the plugs there is for the battery back up for the alarm - don't know about the other ... __________________ Christopher in banana veritas

18th May 2007, 13:46	#3
Moonstone Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 412 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The only reason I can think a user would disconnect the alarm would be spurious triggering due to faulty boot/bonnet/door sensors, but you would be seeing a dash warning if that was the case and it would be easier to just "fix" the sensor. Maybe you just have a faulty BCU. I'm sure T4 diagnostic system can talk to this. I've seen an icon for the alarm on a screen dump. Here's a similar thread, also with a NZ poster: http://forums.mg-rover.org/showpost....91&postcount=8

20th May 2007, 01:53	#9
Kiwirover Loves to post 1999 75 Con SE 2.5 Auto Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lower Hutt Posts: 326 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for all the responses chaps. Well it would appear that the alarm has been disabled by the previous owner and will need a visit to the local highway robbers and their T4 to reactivate and of course pay their fee. I suppose I can take some comfort in the knowledge that throughout the process I have learnt a lot more about the 75 and that I don’t have a battery backup or the secondary siren. On the other hand I do have two "now I know what they are for" plugs in the plenum… Thanks again, Graham __________________ Regards, Gillian

20th May 2007, 07:08	#10
webteb Newbie Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Kiwi Rover, I'm over in Blenheim an have exactly the same problem. I tried the Rover dealers in CHCH and they thought the alarm wasn't fitted and said it was a market (mine's imported from Singapore) option. I lost faith at that point. I'm afraid I think the only option is to have access to an actual T4 with someone who is actually trained on the 75. If you have decent Rover support over in Wellington, ask them if they heve full T4 diagnostic capabiltiy with market option settings. Sorry this is not a fix, but after a great deal of DIY car disassembly and checking, it's the only advise I have.