How do I disconnect a malfunctioning car alarm on a 2002 Prius?

May 6, 2009 11:20 AM

How do I disconnect a malfunctioning car alarm on a 2002 Prius?

My mom's Prius has a built-in alarm, and it just randomly turned itself on yesterday and went off for four hours and drained the battery. It has done this in the garage by itself, so I know that it's the alarm's problem, not outside forces. She'd like to disconnect the alarm, but the dealership wants over a hundred dollars to do it. Anyone have any idea how to?

posted by Slinga to Technology (2 answers total)

Here's some info on a Prius with a malfunctioning alarm.

But honestly, if you're asking this question you should probably have the dealer disable it or fix it. Alarms are fairly complicated and depending on the model can be integrated with a lot of the car's circuitry (lights, horn, maybe even the computer and ignition). This likely makes removing the alarm more involved than something like cut the red and white wire or pull such-and-such fuse.

One approach would be the purchase the Chilton or Haines manual for your car, or check it out from the library, and start tracing through the alarm circuitry. Modern cars have a lot of wires, though.
posted by 6550 at 12:29 PM on May 6, 2009

Does it have a sunglasses compartment?
posted by Sys Rq at 8:26 PM on May 6, 2009