How to stop car alarm
December 7, 2014 8:28 AM Subscribe
Asking for a neighbor: On ~10 year old Honda Accord, door lock broke so neighbor crawled in through the trunk. Upon starting engine, alarm activated (horn) and she couldn't get it to stop. I disconnected the battery & gave her a ride to an appointment. What next?
Is it possible that when battery is reconnected all will be back to normal; i.e., will the alarm have reset itself? How about the fuse, could I pull a fuse for the alarm. I'm thinking the forgoing are unlikely as otherwise it wouldn't be much of a theft deterrant. Any other ideas before it is towed back to dealer? It will be a few hours before she is back so I can't try anything for now.
Is it possible that when battery is reconnected all will be back to normal; i.e., will the alarm have reset itself? How about the fuse, could I pull a fuse for the alarm. I'm thinking the forgoing are unlikely as otherwise it wouldn't be much of a theft deterrant. Any other ideas before it is towed back to dealer? It will be a few hours before she is back so I can't try anything for now.
Response by poster: Driver's door lock is mechanically broken and in some indeterminate state. I'm pretty sure she tried all the obvious maneuvers. Thx
posted by Kevin S at 8:47 AM on December 7, 2014
posted by Kevin S at 8:47 AM on December 7, 2014
I'm pretty sure she tried all the obvious maneuvers.
Never assume the obvious has been tried in these circumstances. Always go back to first principles and start from there. Did she try locking and unlocking the passenger door? Locking and unlocking the boot while the alarm was sounding? Can she get the drivers door open, just no unlocked from the outside? Or is the lock AND latch ineffective?
The alarm may well be reset by the battery being disconnected, but most likely not. She needs to arm and disarm the system either with the button on the fob (if it has one) or by locking and unlocking the car again.
posted by Brockles at 8:58 AM on December 7, 2014
Never assume the obvious has been tried in these circumstances. Always go back to first principles and start from there. Did she try locking and unlocking the passenger door? Locking and unlocking the boot while the alarm was sounding? Can she get the drivers door open, just no unlocked from the outside? Or is the lock AND latch ineffective?
The alarm may well be reset by the battery being disconnected, but most likely not. She needs to arm and disarm the system either with the button on the fob (if it has one) or by locking and unlocking the car again.
posted by Brockles at 8:58 AM on December 7, 2014
Best answer: On my old Honda Accord there was also a small "alarm reset" button down by the drivers left foot under the dash. I had my alarm stuck going off after I installed a new battery. Couldn't get it to turn off through the normal means of locking/unlocking the door. I finally got it to turn off by holding down the button at the same time I turned the key in the ignition. I'd check if her car has a reset button.
posted by Arbac at 9:54 AM on December 7, 2014
posted by Arbac at 9:54 AM on December 7, 2014
Best answer: Similar to Arbac, on my Honda Civic there was a very narrow unlabeled reset button for the alarm on the dashboard between two of the radio control buttons. Holding this down while turning the key in the ignition turned of the alarm.
posted by The Architect at 10:41 AM on December 7, 2014
posted by The Architect at 10:41 AM on December 7, 2014
« Older Fun/funny/quirky/cool "Of The Month" Club for a... | Any advantage to paying off a garnishment early? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 8:44 AM on December 7, 2014