Chirp noise on locking/ unlocking car

James

James

New Member
Messages
36
Can anyone shed light on a chirping sound when locking/unlocking the car (and I do not have a budgie in the boot!).

Recently, a loud chirp sound (3 or 4 fast bleeps) comes from the car when locking/unlocking the car (and a second chirp after 20-25 seconds when locked). The car does lock/ unlock correctly and i believe the alarm works OK, I see no red light flashes on the dashboard after unlockimg.

I checked all the doors, bonnet/ boot are closed and searched the forum for other suggestions.

I wondered if the chirp noise may be battery related, as the car has not been used much recently (all short runs). I have a tracker fitted (1 year old) and spoke to the support team for thoughts, but they said these signs were not related to the tracker :-(.

So apart from a long drive to recharge the battery (this weekend) does anyone have any thoughts on what this noise may be and how to resolve?

Thank you.
James
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,662
That is a weird one, first off, would you say its an electrical generated sound or a mechanical/lack of lubrication type sound?

I would assume electrical.

If you hold down the key button on any Alfa/Maserati for 10 seconds or so, you get a second beep (meaning disablement of the interior sensors). My guess is that you have an issue with this system and basically your alarm is not arming properly.

I would thus assume that the second beep is to indicate that the interior sensor has been disabled.

Put someone in the car and lock them in, then get them to wave their arms but without rocking the car, the alarm should go off.

Not much help I know, but its a start.
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
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34,927
Usually when my car does this the boot needs closed again/checked.....so unless a sensor of types not sending a signal sounds as Matt suggested.


P
 
James

James

New Member
Messages
36
I feel it is electrical type noise and possibly alarm related. I will try putting someone inside the cabin and see what happens.
l do not know if the alarm sensors are connected to the dashboard lights, but I am not seeing any errors on the dashboard lights showing open doors/boot etc..
Thanks.
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,662
Ok, if electrical then it is the alarm.

Another thing you can try is disabling the interior motion sensors. They just need unplugging and are situated behind both A pillar trims.

To remove, first remove the curtain trim, top of the door opening from the inside, it just pulls/levers off, but I have one of these, saves breaking the clips:

DRA19193.jpg


Then this reveals the screw at the top of the A post trim, then you can just again pull/lever it off.

attachment.php


You will then see a small black box half way up the A pillar with a multi plug connector, just unplug them both (one each side) and see if it still does it.

attachment.php


TBH I disconnected mine anyway as the rain kept setting the alarm off. If you do leave them unplugged wrap the connector and cable tie it down or it will rattle....right by your ear.....aaarrrrgggghhhh!
 
Parisien

Parisien

Moderator
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34,927
Or...if auto window return not locating correctly, shows the window open...or if one of those microswitches in door for same has failed.

P
 
James

James

New Member
Messages
36
Thanks Matt and Parisien, this is amazingly efficient and extremely comprehensive guidance, thank you. I will investigate tomorrow and see what happens.
James
 
Last edited:
James

James

New Member
Messages
36
The chirp has gone after a long run yesterday (100 miles) but without fiddling on the car. So I can only surmise that the (alarm) battery was very low and needed charging.
I will plug the car in over the weekend and see if this error re-occurs. Plan B is to test and deactivate the interior sensors.
Thank you for the guidance.
James
 
stylo

stylo

Junior Member
Messages
78
Mine started doing this after I replaced the battery. I can't remember even if it still does it but I don't think it does. In my case it happened about 15 secs after arming the alarm so an indicator that it was set and also when the car was unlocked/alarm dis-armed.
Adam
 
James

James

New Member
Messages
36
Ummmm - the chirp noise has returned, 3 days charging the battery.

Strange that the noise stopped for a while after charging the battery, but has now returned (the battery is under a year old and well maintained/ charged) the chirp noise - 3 or 4 rapid beeps, happens while unlocking the car and also 20 seconds after locking the car. (as per Adams experience above).

So I am searching for other suggestions and investigating the internal sensors.
James
 
GhostyDog

GhostyDog

New Member
Messages
594
Maybe it's to tell you the alarm has been activated? Is there a reset procedure in the owners guide in the event the alarm has gone off whilst you weren't around?
 
2b1ask1

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,302
I did some local travel in mine on Tuesday and parked up as usual after, when I locked it it gave a single chirp... Doesn't usually do this but I thought nothing more of it.

Yesterday I unlocked it and it chirped again and I got in to find the red alarm LED on the dash on soild. THis cleared as I started it no problem... BUT the alarm must have not set properly on Tuesday for some reason and the red LED must have been on all of that time as it has actually melted and bubbled the binacle lense on the dash locally around the bulb!!!

Been in and out of the car all weekend trying to trace my waterleak and cannot replicate the alarm fault?

The water leak however turns out to be a hose (thankfully)....
 
2b1ask1

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,302
Yep LED now had a little frosted dome over it! I thought LED's were supposed to be cold light?
 
James

James

New Member
Messages
36
My chirp was possibly related to the boot (sensor) not closing properly, we found that by pressing on the boot lightly after closing, it seemed to stop the chirp - not conclusive by any means!
 
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