How to disconnect a car alarm that keeps going off? [Must Read Master Guide]
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When car alarms function correctly, they can be a useful way to prevent potential threats to the safety of your car. However, when the car alarm doesn’t perform as intended, this could be quite a nuisance to the car’s owner and the neighborhood at large.
That’s why, there are some ways of disconnecting your car alarm, if it goes off. You may use any of these methods to shut it off or reset the entire alarm using the computer that controls it.
Hence, we start with what might be the quickest and easiest method and work our way up to some of the multiple options of disconnecting your car alarm.
Here is how to disconnect a car alarm that keeps going off.
How to disconnect a car alarm that keeps going off?
1. You can use your keys to unlock the car doors.
You can use your car keys to lock or unlock the driver side of the door which may at times solves this issue. Some car manufacturers sell their cars with alarms that designed to go off when near the appropriate car key.
Thus, if you can allow you to shut your car alarm by inserting your car keys, then you should lock then unlock the driver side door. As a result of this action, the car alarm might receive a signal and go off.
Alternatively, you may also try this on the passenger side doors, but the technique is more likely to work on the driver side door.
However, if the doors of the car were already locked, unlock them, and repeat if the car alarm does not go off. If the second attempt doesn’t work again, try other methods listed below.
2. Use a key fob to unlock the car doors.
On the contrary, if your car uses a key fob, you should unlock the car just as you would using the car keys as illustrated above.
Use the key fob to shut down the car alarm, which may work, by standing near the car.
Once you get close enough to the vehicle, press the lock then unlock button. Most alarms will respond to this action provided you use the appropriate key fob.
However, if the doors do not respond, check to see if the batteries are sufficient, if not replace the batteries and try again.
Also if the doors unlock, but the alarm is still on, there might be an alternative way to turn off the alarm.
If the car has a switch, ensure it is turned to the “on” position, then hold down the black button and press down on the gas pedal at the same time.
Continue to hold until you hear fast beeps that indicate that the alarm has been reset.
3. Make sure you haven’t accidentally hit the panic button.
Your car alarm might have gone off because you accidentally hit the panic button. Since most key fobs are designed with either an orange or yellow panic button, this could be the cause of the uncontrollable alarm.
The reason for this is because the button is used to activate the car alarm, which may also result in the horn honking while the lights flash.
Hence, if you accidentally hit the panic button, the alarm may continue until you press the panic button again.
To avoid such incidences in the future, try keeping your key fob in plain view sight.
Alternatively, some cars allow the owner to shut down the alarm by starting the car and driving it for a short distance.
However, panic alarms will almost always shut off themselves after a certain amount of time.
Also, starting the car doesn’t shut off a panic alarm but driving the vehicle will.
4. Start the car
Since car alarm are designed to prevent cars from being stolen by anyone who doesn’t possess the appropriate key, starting the vehicle is often a sufficient option to power down the car alarm.
So, to disconnect a car alarm that keeps going try unlocking the doors, enter your car, and the alarm is still on, start the car and drive.
However, if the alarm persists, the following are some advanced options you could try on “How to disconnect a car alarm that keeps going off“.
How to disconnect a car alarm from the fuse box
1. Locate the fuse box
First, you’ll need to find the right fuse box. In most cars, there can be multiple fuse boxes in the car on various electronic components including the car alarm.
You can use the car’s owner’s manual to find the fuse box that powers the alarm. In most cases, this particular fuse box might be located in the engine bay or the cabin of the car.
If indeed the fuse box is located in the cabin of your vehicle, you will have to remove the trim to be able to access the fuse box.
Also, be careful when removing this particular plastic trim as it might be brittle and prone to breaking.
Once you have removed it, place it on the side to ensure that you don’t step or sit on it.
2. Identify the fuse for the car alarm
Most fuse boxes have a diagram that can help you identify the appropriate fuse at the underside of the fuse box cover.
Alternatively, you can check the owner’s manual for a better and clear diagram of the fuse box.
Once you have identifies the fuse that powers the car alarm, also locate the corresponding fuse in your car.
However, if the vehicles owner’s manual doesn’t have a fuse box diagram, you have to “guess and check” to locate the appropriate fuse.
Alternatively, you can try and find a description online.
3. Remove the fuse
After locating the appropriate fuse, it’s time to remove it and disconnect the car alarm. Use either pliers or plastic tweezers which are designed to remove vehicle fuse from its location on the fuse box.
Once you remove the fuse, the car alarm should power down and shut down completely.
However, if you are unable to identify the right fuse to remove using the diagram correctly, then you should remove and replace the fuses one by one until you have removed the correct fuse that will stop the car alarm.
4. Replace the fuse and see if it starts again
Still using the pliers or plastic tweezers, replace the fuse to its rightful place after the alarm has been disconnected.
Once you have reinserted the fuse, the car alarm should be reset. However, if the car alarm reactivates, this can only mean that the car alarm is faulty.
At this point, you should seek the advice of a specialist. On the contrary, if the car alarm comes back on after a few minutes, then there must be something that is setting it off — for instance, accidentally pressing the panic button, a faulty key fob, or an electronic issue with the car.
How to disconnect a car alarm by unplugging the battery
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Step 1 – Locate the battery
You can find the battery of your car either in the engine compartment or in the boot of the vehicle.
If the battery is in the boot of the car, it might be under a carpeted piece of wood which is used to separate the battery from the trunk compartment and spare tire.
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Step 2 – Disconnect the ground wire from the negative terminal
Once you have located the battery, identify the negative terminal and disconnect it.
The negative terminal is a think black cable with the letters “NEG” or the symbol (-) above.
Use protective gear such as gloves and a wrench or pair of pliers, to loosen the nut hold down the cable to the battery.
You don’t have to remove the nut entirely as the cable can still be disconnected by loosening the nut.
Once the cable has been disconnected, all electronics connected to the car battery will turn off.
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What about the alarm’s backup batteries?
Some car alarms come equipped with a backup battery system which can keep the alarm working.
However, this backup battery is not designed to power the alarm for long. Its primary role is to keep the alarm in working condition.
Also, the battery ensures that the car owner doesn’t have to reset the alarm after reinstalling the car’s battery.
To locate the back-up battery, refer to your car owner’s manual then disconnect the battery as well.
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Wait for the computer to reset
Before you can reinstall the primary battery, the car alarm should reset automatically.
The amount of time it takes for a car alarm to reset depends on the car model.
However, to stay on the safe side, you should leave the battery disconnected for around an hour to force the alarm to reset due to lack of power.
Unfortunately, this will also result in a loss of radio pre-sets and clock reset.
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Reconnect the battery
Once it’s been an hour since you disconnected the battery, you should reconnect the cable to the negative terminal.
Also, tighten the nut back into place and ensure the cable isn’t lost.
Afterward, the alarm should go off. If the alarm stays on, then you should seek the advice of a trained professional.
Why is my car alarm randomly going off?
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There are several reasons why a car alarm might go off. Also, there are other causes of a car alarm going off for no apparent reason. Here are some causes behind it and possible solutions to each problem.
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A malfunctioning key fob
While the key fob has been instrumental in ensuring smooth and secure access to your car.
Unfortunately, it may be the reason for an uncontrolled car alarm. Keep the key fob in plain sight to avoid pressing the buttons unintentionally.
I am changing the key fob’s battery
When you have a Key fob, it will send wrong signals to your car alarm system. Often, this can be as a result of the key fob’s low battery.
To resolve this issue, you should change your Key fob’s battery usually. More information of how to apply for one headlights.
Unclean hood latch sensor
If your hood latch sensor collects a lot of dirt, it won’t function properly. As a result, this may trigger your car alarm to go off.
Since the latch sensor is a sensitive device that is used to secure your car from theft and damage, it would be wise to get it cleaned as often as possible.
Poor connection of the hood latch sensor
If your Latch sensor is cleaned regularly, but your car alarm still goes off uncontrollably, then it could be because of poor connection to the latch sensor. Due to a poor connection, your car alarm might not respond appropriately to commands.
Also, this issue could affect the functioning of your car’s control unit which may affect the deployment of airbags if you get into collision.
The sensor can be located near the headlights. Disconnect it then connect it once again to see if the alarm turns off.
Can a low battery cause a car alarm to go off?
Yes. Also, rusty battery terminals can set the car alarm off since the battery can’t supply enough power to other car parts.
The car alarm is also designed to interpret such conditions which may also set off the alarm to warn you about it.
So, if you try to switch the engine on with a low battery, this could set the alarm off. Use a voltmeter to check the battery life and determine if you need a replacement.
If the reading is less than 12.6 volts, then it’s time to replace it.
Will a car alarm stop on its own?
Yes. Sometimes, the alarm stops on its own after a few minutes if there is no access to the key fob to turn the car alarm off.
Does car alarm go off if window breaks?
Yes. If anyone meddles with the doors and windows of your car, this could also set off the alarm.
Most cars come equipped with the basic window sensor alarm which can help detect when the window has been broken.
Can a car alarm drain the battery?
Car alarms that are installed by the vehicle manufacturer can’t cause battery trouble but aftermarket car alarms can. The car alarm from manufacturers don’t draw enough power to drain the battery.
However, due to the complicated installation process of aftermarket car alarms, they could suck a lot of power right from your car battery.
If you are on the lookout for car alarm replacement, you should check out this post for our top selected car alarm systems.