QuestionQUESTION: Our factory car alarm goes off randomly once to the point where the battery was dead when we got back to the car. It seems to happen when the car is parked in the sun. We use a sunshade but that doesn't always help. Have had it in to the dealer twice and they can't find anything wrong even after keeping the car for 10 days. Also we are told by the dealer he cannot disable or reduce the sensitivity of the alarm. Any suggestions would be helpful to us. Thanks.
ANSWER: It's a problematic system. The only way to disarm
the factory alarm is to unlock the doors.
There is no "easy" fix on they're system, and when
the temp sensor is setting off the system, then
you do have an issue.
I wish I had something to offer. If it were to control
the alarm for arm/disarm, then sure, add a remote
keyless entry and that's that. Here, the car's OWN
sensor aray for sensing interior temp,
is also spiking enough power now, to set off
the headlights and horn.
The fix? Expensive. Replacing the factory alarm module
would be the first step. They are solid state items,
and plug in. So you can't simply "fix" the current one.
Wish I had better news for you, but this one is a
result of the system powering down, and then the surge
that happens when it was charged again seems to
have had this effect in my opinion. I of course
could be wrong, but from the description, the RX 300's
system is a bit damaged, pertaining to this issue.
Does Lexus have a suggested course of action?
ALARMTEK
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: First thanks for your quick response and your answer is the only thing that makes sense so far. The Lexus dealer had no course of action. Said they wouldn't know the problem unless the alarm went off while car was on the monitor--and of course it didn't. I do have a question though--do you think it would help to cover the sensor array when the car is parked in the sun? Maybe a piece of cardboard? This might be a dumb question because we use a sun visor but we may not always have had the sensor covered. If not we will try to live with the problem, park in the shade, etc, crack a window, etc.
AnswerYou can try to use a dash cover (mini rug type),
or, use electrical tape, cover the nub in the dash,
blacking it out. But if it's going to over heat,
then you are back to square 1 again, :<(
Try it for a bit. To passively cut down
the heat, you can also try a portable window heat
shield. Ya know the flezable type that you place
in the interior windshield to block out most of
the direct sunlight/heat when you leave the car?
Thats and inexpensive way to get around this too.
Let me know your progress.
Be well.
A.
