Service Theft Alarm (Siren Box removed)

[nine-fiver]

Do the batteries, at least.

Problem will go away. CR123A batteries from your supermarket shelves and 2 hours on a Sunday arvo. I have done two 9-5 2002 cars and the job was easy enough if you can wield a soldering iron.

Lots o' fun but a great fix, nonetheless.

[Drac]

I've done mine. The most difficult part is finding the battery that has terminals - or finding someone who have and can weld the terminals to the CR123 or CR17355. The CR17355 is the expensive battery at about 6 pounds each (you need 2).

I would strongly advice to replace the electrolytic capacitors as well - if I remember correctly 3 of them. The cost of caps is probably around a quid for the lot. The max voltage of the electrolytic capacitorss doesn't matter that much - as long as you get 25V, 35V, 50V or 63V. The difference is the size, but all of these will easily fit.

If anyone is interested I can have a look and provide the capacitance values...
 
The mechanical problem I had was that my siren was sealed and had no screws, so I had to "break into it" by force and drill. Dremmel tool and good glue would be a perfect solution.

[Steve440]

Did mine a week or so back but I am still getting occasional ''service theft alarm'' warnings.

Sometimes it even happens while I am driving along.

A few weeks ago my alarm went off a few times in the night and the following day it told me service theft alarm for the first time.

It only showed it the first time in the day and I ordered a battery and capacitor kit.

Fitted it and for the first few days it was fine and now I am getting occasional warnings,some when I go to start it and some while I am driving.

Any ideas? Could the battery in the key be going? How easy are they to change?

Steve

[Audax]

You need to get the alarm fault codes read with Tech-II it won't be the keyfob batteries but they are easy enough to change.

[Steve440]

Thanks.

Anybody recommend somebody in Oxfordshire to read my car with a Tech 2?

My local stealer wants £120 and the only indy I know of wants £80.

I know these machines cost £££ but pressing a clear button is a lot cheaper when times are hard.

Thanks

Steve

[nine-fiver]

Steve440,

Did you read the voltage at all, of both batteries? Needs to be well over 6.5V. The alarms starts to chirp a bit when the volts start to go under 6V. They may not be fully charged and could be older than you might think. Was there a build date on the batteries?

Also the plug may have dirt in it.

Keyfob batt won't be the cause, but change it anyway.

Reset the car by disconnecting the main battery. Leave for an hour to let things settle.

Tech 2 after that if it doesn't help out.

[TomPaine]

Anybody recommend somebody in Oxfordshire to read my car with a Tech 2?

My local stealer wants £120 and the only indy I know of wants £80.

Is that Oxford Saab? Surprised if so as they've always done any diagnostics for me for nothing.

There's an indie called Belsyre in Oxford: not sure what they charge for this -

http://www.saaboxford.co.uk/

Nr Henley there's also the highly recommended ex-Reading Saab Clive @ CJ Saab:

http://www.cjsaabservices.com/

[Steve440]

Thanks Tom

Maybe I will go in and ask. On the phone they were very unhelpful. Matt in parts is always willing to try and help.

Yes Belsyre quoted £80 and I would have to leave the car for the morning

I have heard good things about the guy in Henley but that is over an hours drive for me.

There is an indy near Bicester but they dont have Tech2.

I will try disconnecting the battery, its worth a try and costs nothing. Its funny how it does it as I am driving along sometimes.

Steve

[TomPaine]

Maybe I will go in and ask. On the phone they were very unhelpful. Matt in parts is always willing to try and help.

[Try asking for Richard - I've always found him very helpful.]