Yet another alarm issue

azzledazzle · Apr 26th, 2022, 10:07

Greetings fellow volvo owners,

I have an issue with my alarm on my XC90, I know there are countless threads on this subject already but there aren't enough days left on this earth for me to scour through them all.

My alarm often triggers for no apparent reason ( I share a vida with my buddy so I will get that plugged in over the next few days to identify the trigger) however, there is no sound from the siren, just flashing hazard lights. Also, there is no 'Alarm service required' message on the dash.

My immediate thought is that the battery inside the module is failing so I purchased a replacement battery and fitted that the other day, the existing battery was in excellent condition, still sealed and not leaking, still pumping out a healthy 7.2v, the circuit board looks pristine too with no obvious signs of failure or broken components.

Whilst I had the module apart, I bench tested the siren and it was loud and functioning just fine. I reassembled the module and fitted it back to the car. I sat in the car for a good few minutes with it locked and triggered the alarm, the siren sounded as expected, however subsequent attempts to repeat this failed, and only hazard lights flash with no siren sound.

This is where my confusion begins, I know the siren works, I know the battery is good, but they aren't working together in unison, I suspect maybe the module is faulty but I wouldn't like to spend £200 on a replacement and have the same issue.

Does anyone have any advice on further testing I could do? Or other methods I could try before taking the plunge on buying a new siren module?

On a side note, I don't know if this is related or not, but worth mentioning, the fuel flap lock doesn't always release when unlocking the car, a few times I was caught short trying to get diesel only for me to be unable to open the fuel flap so I manually unlocked it and disconnected the harness thus rendering it always unlocked. I suspect the locking actuator /motor but haven't got round to fixing that yet.

Anyway, apologies for the long post, I appreciate any and all advice you may be able to offer.

Thanks.

Spike56 · Apr 26th, 2022, 13:17

I know that you cannot set the alarm with a door or boot/bonnet unlocked ( not fully closed/latched) not sure whether the fuel flap is part of the system, but if it reports being open that might throw the alarm into chaos!

On a side note. I lifted my bonnet to check something.....shut it and started the car only to get a dstc and abs warning light! Went away the following day! Volvo checked it... No fault found!

Gotta love computers!

azzledazzle · Apr 26th, 2022, 14:32

Hopefully vida will tell me if it's the fuel flap. My concern isn't so much the random triggering of the alarm but more the fact it doesn't make any noise.

I miss the old days when electronics didn't dominate every aspect of life. It was a simpler time 😁

azzledazzle · Apr 27th, 2022, 16:45

So, I had vida plugged in today, the last 3 alarm trips were mass movement sensor front and rear. This is likely to be me purposefully triggering it to test the siren, I also programmed the siren to the car as if it was a new replacement unit but it made no difference.

Also fixed my fuel flap lock. A good strip down and cleanup of the shaft and cogs, along with some fresh lube is allowing a nice, smooth and fluid movement in and out of the flap, so hopefully this will prevent anyone from stealing my juice 😉

Still non the wiser on the siren though. Might take a gamble on a 2nd hand module. I can't justify the expenditure on a new module without knowing for certain that's the culprit. The car is well secured without it anyway. It just upsets my inner OCD having something not work as intended.

Simmy · Apr 27th, 2022, 20:18

buying sh sirens can be a mine field i obtained more than six over the years cut them all open and only found one in anything like repairable condition . a new battery fixed the good one i found but it took years but i like a chalenge . to test the siren open a window and lock the car with the fob after a few mins lean in and move your arms this should trip the alarm siren .

azzledazzle · Apr 28th, 2022, 08:20

6 units and only 1 was good? Crikey! Maybe it's just something I ought to live without then.

With the money I'd save on not buying a new module, I could purchase one of these kits instead, it's volvo compatible:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk9WcXbkjaI&t=64

😂 😂 😂

Apr 26th, 2022, 10:07	#1
azzledazzle Certified Bodger Last Online: Today 07:07 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Lancashire	Yet another alarm issue Greetings fellow volvo owners, I have an issue with my alarm on my XC90, I know there are countless threads on this subject already but there aren't enough days left on this earth for me to scour through them all. My alarm often triggers for no apparent reason ( I share a vida with my buddy so I will get that plugged in over the next few days to identify the trigger) however, there is no sound from the siren, just flashing hazard lights. Also, there is no 'Alarm service required' message on the dash. My immediate thought is that the battery inside the module is failing so I purchased a replacement battery and fitted that the other day, the existing battery was in excellent condition, still sealed and not leaking, still pumping out a healthy 7.2v, the circuit board looks pristine too with no obvious signs of failure or broken components. Whilst I had the module apart, I bench tested the siren and it was loud and functioning just fine. I reassembled the module and fitted it back to the car. I sat in the car for a good few minutes with it locked and triggered the alarm, the siren sounded as expected, however subsequent attempts to repeat this failed, and only hazard lights flash with no siren sound. This is where my confusion begins, I know the siren works, I know the battery is good, but they aren't working together in unison, I suspect maybe the module is faulty but I wouldn't like to spend £200 on a replacement and have the same issue. Does anyone have any advice on further testing I could do? Or other methods I could try before taking the plunge on buying a new siren module? On a side note, I don't know if this is related or not, but worth mentioning, the fuel flap lock doesn't always release when unlocking the car, a few times I was caught short trying to get diesel only for me to be unable to open the fuel flap so I manually unlocked it and disconnected the harness thus rendering it always unlocked. I suspect the locking actuator /motor but haven't got round to fixing that yet. Anyway, apologies for the long post, I appreciate any and all advice you may be able to offer. Thanks.

Apr 26th, 2022, 13:17	#2
Spike56 Master Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 15:44 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Orpington	I know that you cannot set the alarm with a door or boot/bonnet unlocked ( not fully closed/latched) not sure whether the fuel flap is part of the system, but if it reports being open that might throw the alarm into chaos! On a side note. I lifted my bonnet to check something.....shut it and started the car only to get a dstc and abs warning light! Went away the following day! Volvo checked it... No fault found! Gotta love computers!

Apr 26th, 2022, 14:32	#3
azzledazzle Certified Bodger Last Online: Today 07:07 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Lancashire	Hopefully vida will tell me if it's the fuel flap. My concern isn't so much the random triggering of the alarm but more the fact it doesn't make any noise. I miss the old days when electronics didn't dominate every aspect of life. It was a simpler time 😁

Apr 27th, 2022, 16:45	#4
azzledazzle Certified Bodger Last Online: Today 07:07 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Lancashire	So, I had vida plugged in today, the last 3 alarm trips were mass movement sensor front and rear. This is likely to be me purposefully triggering it to test the siren, I also programmed the siren to the car as if it was a new replacement unit but it made no difference. Also fixed my fuel flap lock. A good strip down and cleanup of the shaft and cogs, along with some fresh lube is allowing a nice, smooth and fluid movement in and out of the flap, so hopefully this will prevent anyone from stealing my juice 😉 Still non the wiser on the siren though. Might take a gamble on a 2nd hand module. I can't justify the expenditure on a new module without knowing for certain that's the culprit. The car is well secured without it anyway. It just upsets my inner OCD having something not work as intended.

Apr 27th, 2022, 20:18	#5
Simmy Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:23 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Manchester	buying sh sirens can be a mine field i obtained more than six over the years cut them all open and only found one in anything like repairable condition . a new battery fixed the good one i found but it took years but i like a chalenge . to test the siren open a window and lock the car with the fob after a few mins lean in and move your arms this should trip the alarm siren .

Apr 28th, 2022, 08:20	#6
azzledazzle Certified Bodger Last Online: Today 07:07 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Lancashire	6 units and only 1 was good? Crikey! Maybe it's just something I ought to live without then. With the money I'd save on not buying a new module, I could purchase one of these kits instead, it's volvo compatible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk9WcXbkjaI&t=64 😂 😂 😂

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