XC60 Alarm going off for no apparent reason

Essex Norm · Oct 19th, 2023, 19:45

I have tried the obvious things such as checking the bonnet and all the windows and doors are fully closed. It is parked outside but fairly sheltered from the wind and there is no passing traffic. No sign of a cat or something jumping on it.
I've read somewhere that a low battery could cause it. The stop/start one was down to 12.01 volts so clearly not very happy. Does anyone know if the alarm circuit is supplied from this battery or does it come from the main start battery. ie the one under the boot floor? This one seems fine at 12.7v
Any other ideas welcome. Thanks.

sk546 · Oct 19th, 2023, 20:13

The only times I've had my alarm go off for no apparent reason, I ended up finding an insect (im my cases, big moths) inside the car that once they started flying around, they set the alarm off.

Otl1uk · Oct 19th, 2023, 20:24

Had it with my S60, turned out it was the alarm module battery that was going flat, needed a new alarm module, no problem after that.

Essex Norm · Oct 19th, 2023, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otl1uk

Had it with my S60, turned out it was the alarm module battery that was going flat, needed a new alarm module, no problem after that.

Ah OK. Thanks. Yes maybe. Is that a diy job?

chrisrixy · Oct 19th, 2023, 22:07

Hi,

I had this issue on a MY17 XC90. As mentioned above it was the battery in the alarm module. I was told it was non-replaceable battery and the whole unit (siren) was replaced.

Also told that it was not covered under the Volvo extended warranty as the fault was a battery - which are excluded from cover. This applied even though it was the whole unit that had to be replaced.

No problems since - but it wasn't cheap...

Clan · Oct 19th, 2023, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Essex Norm

Ah OK. Thanks. Yes maybe. Is that a diy job?

you need to get it diagnosed first to find out what the fault is.. the many alarm causes are stored and can be read out by Volvo as can a lot of data about the 12 volt main battery operation and history .

Essex Norm · Oct 20th, 2023, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

you need to get it diagnosed first to find out what the fault is.. the many alarm causes are stored and can be read out by Volvo as can a lot of data about the 12 volt main battery operation and history .

Just an update. I tried to get the car in to the local main dealers but they are booked up for weeks. They did offer to contact Volvo Assist and a guy came to the house today. He was from a local garage and, although very sympathetic, he was unable to diagnose any alarm fault history as he didn't have the Volvo gear.

I've booked it in anyway and the service department advised me that in the meantime I should lock the car manually by using the detachable key blade so the alarm isn't set.

I'm tempted to change the alarm module batteries myself. They are on ebay for about £24.

Phil Croxley · Oct 21st, 2023, 08:14

If you're planning to keep the car for some time it won't do any harm to replace the battery, at least you'll know it should be ok for some years. I took my V70 module out some years ago and it seems a bit brutal having to cut it open but it can be done.

Essex Norm · Oct 21st, 2023, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Croxley

If you're planning to keep the car for some time it won't do any harm to replace the battery, at least you'll know it should be ok for some years. I took my V70 module out some years ago and it seems a bit brutal having to cut it open but it can be done.

Yes. That's what I was thinking. I've seen a couple of Youtube videos and will have a go. I couldn't find anything specific to a UK XC60 although one from the USA shows the module to be under the left wing. Looks like I'll need the Dremel to dismantle it!

Essex Norm · Oct 21st, 2023, 18:02

Not a very successful afternoon. I thought it might be a good idea to take the module apart before ordering the batteries so I could double check the dimensions, voltage etc.

I took off the nearside wheel and inner wing plastic shield. Guess what ..... no sign of the alarm module. It is definitely not there.
Before doing anything else I deliberately set off the alarm to try and identify its location. I did this by leaving a window open then locking the car. After a minute I waved a bit of cloth around inside and the alarm went off instantly.

But, here's the thing, the alarm was a high pitched chirp sound. Very ear splitting but not the same as the original problem alarm. That is just a horn sound. And I still couldn't make out where on the car it is coming from.

Oct 19th, 2023, 19:45	#1
Essex Norm Junior Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:07 Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Colchester	XC60 Alarm going off for no apparent reason I have tried the obvious things such as checking the bonnet and all the windows and doors are fully closed. It is parked outside but fairly sheltered from the wind and there is no passing traffic. No sign of a cat or something jumping on it. I've read somewhere that a low battery could cause it. The stop/start one was down to 12.01 volts so clearly not very happy. Does anyone know if the alarm circuit is supplied from this battery or does it come from the main start battery. ie the one under the boot floor? This one seems fine at 12.7v Any other ideas welcome. Thanks. __________________ XC60 D5 Inscription Pro MY2018

Oct 19th, 2023, 20:13	#2
sk546 Master Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 22:27 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Norwich	The only times I've had my alarm go off for no apparent reason, I ended up finding an insect (im my cases, big moths) inside the car that once they started flying around, they set the alarm off. __________________ MY22.5 XC60 Polestar Engineered (455) - Thunder Grey - AAOS [360 Camera\|Tow Bar\|Ohlins\|Akebono] Previous - MY20 XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered - Onyx Black - Sensus

Oct 21st, 2023, 08:14	#8
Phil Croxley Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 17:51 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Worthing	If you're planning to keep the car for some time it won't do any harm to replace the battery, at least you'll know it should be ok for some years. I took my V70 module out some years ago and it seems a bit brutal having to cut it open but it can be done. __________________ 2011 XC60 SE Lux premium

Oct 21st, 2023, 18:02	#10
Essex Norm Junior Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:07 Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Colchester	Not a very successful afternoon. I thought it might be a good idea to take the module apart before ordering the batteries so I could double check the dimensions, voltage etc. I took off the nearside wheel and inner wing plastic shield. Guess what ..... no sign of the alarm module. It is definitely not there. Before doing anything else I deliberately set off the alarm to try and identify its location. I did this by leaving a window open then locking the car. After a minute I waved a bit of cloth around inside and the alarm went off instantly. But, here's the thing, the alarm was a high pitched chirp sound. Very ear splitting but not the same as the original problem alarm. That is just a horn sound. And I still couldn't make out where on the car it is coming from. __________________ XC60 D5 Inscription Pro MY2018

Oct 19th, 2023, 20:24	#3
Otl1uk Junior Member Last Online: Today 06:44 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Halifax	Had it with my S60, turned out it was the alarm module battery that was going flat, needed a new alarm module, no problem after that.

Oct 19th, 2023, 22:07	#5
chrisrixy Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 22:42 Join Date: May 2010 Location: inverness	Hi, I had this issue on a MY17 XC90. As mentioned above it was the battery in the alarm module. I was told it was non-replaceable battery and the whole unit (siren) was replaced. Also told that it was not covered under the Volvo extended warranty as the fault was a battery - which are excluded from cover. This applied even though it was the whole unit that had to be replaced. No problems since - but it wasn't cheap...

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