Alarm on '96 activated with no contact?

[Russ Bergen]

The alarm on my '96 is activated for no apparent reason? Battery is fully charged and no one has tried to enter car or bumped car? Alarm will go off randomly - no particular time of day or after any particular event in driving? What can I check? Battery is 3 years old and car gets driven every week?
What can I check? Battery gauge reads between 14.7 & 14.3 volts on operation?

 

[Tuna]

I'd check the door ajar switches first.

If one of those switches go bad or get out of adjustment, the wind can cause the car to think the door is open and set off the alarm. Been there, done that. Not good for the battery as the alarm will run the battery down.

Do your interior lights flash on every now and then?

 

[Russ Bergen]

Mystery alarm

Thanks for your quick reply. Can i easily adjust these door switches?

 

[Tuna]

The center of the switch on the door extends - it has an small center pin that can be extended to increase the amount of travel. Using a small blade, you can pull the center pin out some. It is supposed to be self adjusting - pull the pin out and close the door (gently). The center pin should push back into the switch only as far as it needs to.

The problem is this center pin looses some of the friction that it needs over time to keep it extended so it may slide back in causing the door ajar issues again. If this happens, the switch can be replaced easy enough - there is a trick there, or you can used a very small o-ring around the pin to hold it out. This is what I did to the one on my right door a couple of years ago and it is still working.

Later,

 

[Russ Bergen]

Thanks, I'll give it a try!

 

[JEFNLSA]

Is there a way to do a "test" on the alarm? The keys to my 96 have the 2 buttons....door & rear hatch. Also every time I get in the car I have to unlock the passenger side w/ the button so my girl can get in. Is there any way to reset it so both doors unlock when you approach the car?

 

[Rabbit]

Is there a way to do a "test" on the alarm? The keys to my 96 have the 2 buttons....door & rear hatch. Also every time I get in the car I have to unlock the passenger side w/ the button so my girl can get in. Is there any way to reset it so both doors unlock when you approach the car?

Key in ignition, donot turn "on". Hold down the door button on your FOB till both door locks open. They will cycle thru drivers door only & then both doors, if memory serves me.

To check the alarm, lock doors with the power lock, leave window down. The alarm shud set after a few seconds. Reach in & open the door, alarm shud sound. You can shut it off by using the door key in the door or putting the key in the ignition, again, if memory serves me.?