legacycentral bbs

I started my car this morning, it was -13C, and left it sit for about ten minutes. When I began driving, my dashboard started making this really loud siren sound. The faster I went the more it sounded off. It goes away after a while. I lifted the hood and back on the firewall on the driver-side there is this horn looking thing. I just bought the car a little over a month ago and I don't have a manual for it yet.
What is this thing? What does it do? Why is it going off? And is my baby trying to tell me something?

Alarm?

Steve

Well yeah. But what does it mean?

I've never had one, just trying to ask in case it was something OEM that I've somehow missed. Not that I'd go out to check if it were as it's -30 outside with wind chill.

Steve

Well I believe it is not oem. But I just don't know why it is going off. Plus it is the most annoying thing. Well if anyone else can help then please do.

Yeah, it's not OEM...

It's possible your alarm is malfunctioning in the cold weather.

If you don't care too much for the alarm, why not snip-snip and eliminate the horn entirely?

VRG3 possibly you could give me a little bit more background information on this alarm so that I may make some decisions on what to do about it. Possibly the alarm is going off for a reason. But if it is not necessary to have this alarm, I will have to remove it. Plus my car could use going on a diet and lose some weight. Also not to be rude but are we sure that it is the alarm we are talking about? Keeping in mind that I love my car, but I know minimal about the car as far as specifics like this. Thanks!

--Derek

Well, I of course can't be 100% positive, but a horn speaker mounted on the firewall is typically how the siren for an aftermarket alarm is installed.

This is a typical car security alarm kit:



I don't know anything about how your alarm works, since we don't know who made it and what model it is. Maybe you could look under your dash? I'm sure the alarm installers tapped some wires at the ignition switch.

You're right that it might be going off for a reason. If it is indeed a security system, then it's going off because it thinks you're stealing the car. Any chance you were given a remote key fob or anything with the car that you could use to disarm it?

In theory, it's possible that simply disconnecting the horn would make the system prevent your car from starting or running. Some of the more clever systems do that kind of stuff if you cut the ignition switch wires when installing them. To properly remove the alarm system you'd have to reconnect your ignition switch wires to how they were (if they were indeed cut).

That is precisely what the doo-dad looks like. And I do recall having a little red led on the left-side of the dash next to the steering wheel. I was just originally worried that my car was going to explode. So now I need to figure out what to do from here.

I did not get a remote with the car or anything. The guy I bought it off of is becoming more and more shady to me. He did not seem to know enough nor love enough what he had. He did although give me some parts with the car. So he obviously was trying to get to know her.

Well I guess one must find the easiest way to get to the ignition wires and fool around with them.

I would although find a way to utilize this alarm but one, I don't have a remote or access to one. And two, I do have a problem with my automatic locks and can not lock my driver side door with out worry of not being able to get it unlocked. It sticks in the cold and I would be completely locked out.

Sounds like mine, except the previous owner of the car disabled the system. He said it didn't work in the first place. Strangely enough, it looks like an aftermarket alarm system. I dunno whether it's the problem with the solenoid in the door locks now that the alarms is disabled, but I can't lock my driverside door from the inside.

Yeah I am having mad problems with my door locks too. I cannot unlock or lock my driver side door from the outside. The key just spins when I put it in the hole. And at times when I try to lock it from the inside it does give me trouble.

So boostjunkie do you know whether or not I can just cut the wires that run to the horn? Still being able to start my car?

I don't remember if you access the ignition switch wires by removing the lower steering column cover or if you remove the panel above the driver's knees. Either way, it's just a bunch of Philips-head screws.

If the installers tapped into the wires, it should be pretty obvious. They probably used Scotch-loks or something similar:



Maybe you can find the box (it's probably under there somewhere; follow the wires from the horn, LED, or ignition switch) and contact the manufacturer to get a new remote. You're probably best off just removing the whole system and getting your own that you know how to install.

I would like to install my own but I first need figure out what is wrong with my locks. Also I need to get a pair of ear plugs for the time being until I fix this alarm.

Not sure about cutting the horn. You can, however, foam that sucker up. Just take some expansion foam and spray it into the horn. Once dried, I guarantee you that horn won't make any noize

I've accessed the ignition switch wires by just taking off the knee panel under the dash. The wires are pretty easy to find. I'm pretty sure they're the thickest wires under the dash.

Thanks I might just foam it up for now until I uninstall it. Will keeping it from sounding cause it to do anything weird like not letting me drive?

Well, you can start the engine, right? If the only problem is that horn, then I believe by foaming it up the brain for the alarm system won't realize it's not actually making noise. Just to test, try driving the car in the driveway or around the neighborhood, first . . .

I'd suggest taking it to a qualified alarm installer if you're worried about tampering with the alarm system any further.

First thing I did when I bought my mom a legacy was to trace every wire of the alarm and figure out how to return it back to stock. Second I ripped the piece of crap out and smash it on the ground before throwing it in the trash (cussing all the way).

If you want to put a new alarm in anyway, then take your car to a qualified alarm retailer/installer, purchase your alarm through them, and pay for an installation. Then, make sure to speak with the installer, and explain to them the problem. They should be able to fix it without any problem, and perhaps help you with your fogs as well.

ok all you really need to do it put it into "valet" mode. get under the dash and look for a little silver toggle switch or perhaps a black pushbutton (depending on the alarm manufacturer). with the key in the "on" possition (one step before cranking the motor over) move the switch over or push the button. The red light on the dash should turn solid red. Then your alarm system will be in valet mode and will basically be "off" all the time. Then you can go to an alarm shop and have them check the brain on the unit and maybe they can get you a remote.

-Mike

What a PITA. Subarus are consistantly at the bottom of the list of most stolen cars. I'd worry about break ins and alarms do little for anything other than insurance anyway.

Steve

Thanks MagicMike I will try that out.

I am not so concerned with having an alarm on my car. I just don't want that dumb ass siren going off again.

Also it is not exactly the best idea to steal my Subie anyways, cuz you're not going to live very long after that!