A car alarm is meant to beep when it receives a command from the remote fob or when the sensors pick up an intruder standing too close to the car or trying to gain access into the vehicle. Why doesn’t my car alarm beep and how do you solve this problem? Keep reading to find out.
A car alarm not beeping can mean two things. First, your alarm is damaged or the control unit didn’t receive the command. Either way, it poses a serious problem to the security of your vehicle as it leaves you uncertain of the success of your commands.
Without a beep from an audible alarm system, it’s difficult to know the current state of your vehicle’s security. That’s why it is important to know the solutions as it guarantees your safety and that of your vehicle.
REASONS WHY YOUR CAR ALARM IS NOT GOING OFF
While it is uncommon, motorists have reported instances where their car alarm systems did not beep after locking the door, sending a command, and in a situation where the sensors should have picked up a disturbance. This can be scary and frustrating. It takes away your peace of mind and makes you worry about the safety of your vehicle.
In the right condition, an audible car alarm, when triggered, lets out an audible alarm, followed by flashing headlights. These are indications that your command has been executed if there is an intruder around the vehicle.
They serve as an indication of the next step to take. For example, when it doesn’t beep, you’ll have to manually check the door to make sure it is locked. But a beep is a guarantee, taking away the needy for a physical inspection.
First, check to make sure the horn and the audio system of your car are working. You can do this by honking in your garage. Avoid crowded places so as not to disturb others. You can also use the panic button on the remote to check the horn. If it works, then the problem is with the device and not the horn of your car. Fixing this is quite cheaper than replacing your horn.
Check the alarm mode of your car to make sure that it’s correct. You can do this following the instructions in your manufacturer’s guide. This will require a combination of the keys on the fob.
Other Reasons Why Your Car Alarm Is Not Going Off
- Depleted Car battery
The most cited reason for car alarm systems not going off is low battery. When the car battery is low, the remaining juice is saved to power on the vehicle, thereby cutting off any other supplies.
Being an electronic device, it is powered by the car battery so when it is low, the alarm won’t function. While a car alarm is an important device, it doesn’t drain the car battery like other car devices.
If you’re experiencing battery drain, then install a secondary battery to relieve your primary battery. This allows one battery to simply focus on powering your car, and afterward, receive a charge from the alternator.
Before installing any device in your vehicle, make sure your battery’s voltage is high enough to handle the load. The average voltage of car batteries is 12volts. However, you can buy one with a higher voltage.
- Corroded Terminals
If you have a corroded battery terminal, then most of your electronic devices won’t function properly. This has been tested on different types of devices and batteries. If it’s corroded, this could prevent your alarm from beeping after sending a command. This is a two-way street. A corroded battery terminal also causes the alarm to go off rapidly, without cause.
You can clean the battery terminals or replace them with new ones if need be. Cleaning can be easily done with the right materials. However, we recommend conducting a mechanic before maintaining your car battery yourself.
- Damaged fob
A faulty remote fob may affect how your car alarm system works. If it’s in good working condition, then the alarm should respond appropriately to the commands from the fob. However, the slightest damage can affect its communication between the control unit. It might not send a signal even after pressing the keys severely.
You can solve this problem by resetting the remote fob if the damage is not physical. Otherwise, you may need to buy a replacement. If you own an advanced remote fob, then check the kit for a replacement fob.
- Dirty hood latch sensor
The hood is held closed by a latch that has a sensor to indicate when the hood is unlocked. This sensor is sent to the car’s computer and displayed on the dashboard screen. It is recommended to keep this warning on, as your hood opening mid-trip can obstruct your view and cause an accident.
When the sensor is dirty, it sends multiple alerts to the remote fob, however, it’s a two-way street. It could also prevent the alarm from going off because of some interruption in signal transmission.
You can solve this by cleaning the hood latch with a microfiber cloth and the recommended chemical to remove dirt from the latch. The process is simple and doesn’t require additional mechanical knowledge. However, you’ll need to remove the negative terminal of your car battery before proceeding to clean the latch.
- Wrong connections
Another cause for why your alarm may not be beeping is wrong or broken connections in your vehicle alarm system. OEM installed alarm systems are wire from the manufacturer so you may need the manufacturer’s guide to find out the damaged wire. If it’s an aftermath solution, then you’ll probably find it quickly since you were involved in the installation.
You would need to have a screwdriver and tape to insulate any open part of the wire. Before you go ahead with dismantling your alarm system, check the sensors by disconnection and reconnection. This has been known to solve alarm problems. You should also try to reset the alarm too.
- Poor installation
Most of the problems with aftermath alarm systems are caused by the wrong installation. While installation is straightforward, you need to follow the instructions in the manufacturer’s manual to the latter.
This includes the instructions and guidelines. If you’re not comfortable with installing electronic devices, then hire a professional to do the work for you.
If you run a diagnosis and find out the device has been installed wrongly, contact your manufacture. The service should be free or subsidized if you’re covered under warranty, otherwise, you may have to pay a small sum.
If you’re handy, then you can save money for maintenance by reinstalling the device yourself.
- Damaged Reciever
Car alarms are equipped receivers to receive signals from the remote fob. However, the transmission gets broken or incomplete if the receiver gets damaged.
Why Is My Car Alarm Going Off
Car alarms also go off without cause, disturbing the neighborhood with false alerts. This can cause unnecessary fines and disturbance from your neighbors. It also has other negative effects. For example, due to the numerous false alerts, motorists now ignore the important alerts. This has led to theft and more cases of car burglary.
There are numerous reasons why a car alarm constantly goes off. They include low car battery, high sensitivity, damaged components, poor installation, bad wiring, and damaged hood latch. A simple reset can correct this problem. Check your manufacturer’s guide for instructions on how to reset your own alarm system.
Conclusively, finding a solution quickly guarantees the security of your vehicle. Most of the above solutions are straightforward so they do not require professional assistance. However, if you find yourself stuck, do not hesitate to call the manufacturer or a professional close by. Make sure they are certified and have good recommendations.
