Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: 456lbft on 11 December 2019, 11:59:10

Title: Alarm going off
Post by: 456lbft on 11 December 2019, 11:59:10
Presumably this is the dreaded powersounder problem, but my car's alarm (lights and horn) has gone off on it's own a couple of times for no reason.  What is the procedure for removing it safely without compromising the central locking or immobiliser (if there is one)?
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: Andy B on 11 December 2019, 12:04:04
Presumably this is the dreaded powersounder problem, but my car's alarm (lights and horn) has gone off on it's own a couple of times for no reason.  What is the procedure for removing it safely without compromising the central locking or immobiliser (if there is one)?

Just unplug & remove it .... that's it.  :y

The alarm can also be set off if the bonnet switch bracket is bent a little so the switch is barely making contact. You can prove it by unplugging the switch and see what happens, though this is usually a summer problem as the bonnet flexes in the heat.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: Lizzie Zoom on 11 December 2019, 14:51:52
Here is the guide to remove the dreaded Power sounder:
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90675.0

 :)
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 11 December 2019, 15:28:19
It isn't the dreaded powersounder problem. That problems is the internal batteries leak, cause a short circuit, and sets fire to the car.
Something is setting off your alarm. The usual culprit is the bracket which holds the bonnet alarm switch gradually bends downwards and allows the switch to open, setting off the alarm. Bend the bracket up a little and see if it cures the problem.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: Andy B on 11 December 2019, 16:27:01
.....
Something is setting off your alarm. The usual culprit is the bracket which holds the bonnet alarm switch gradually bends downwards and allows the switch to open, setting off the alarm. Bend the bracket up a little and see if it cures the problem.

Echo echo echooo ....  ::)
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: TheBoy on 11 December 2019, 19:26:26
It isn't the dreaded powersounder problem. That problems is the internal batteries leak, cause a short circuit, and sets fire to the car.
Something is setting off your alarm. The usual culprit is the bracket which holds the bonnet alarm switch gradually bends downwards and allows the switch to open, setting off the alarm. Bend the bracket up a little and see if it cures the problem.
A faulty power sounder can activate the alarm. Been there, had that t-shirt ;D
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: Webby the Bear on 11 December 2019, 19:33:41
It isn't the dreaded powersounder problem. That problems is the internal batteries leak, cause a short circuit, and sets fire to the car.
Something is setting off your alarm. The usual culprit is the bracket which holds the bonnet alarm switch gradually bends downwards and allows the switch to open, setting off the alarm. Bend the bracket up a little and see if it cures the problem.
A faulty power sounder can activate the alarm. Been there, had that t-shirt ;D

Me too. I got my t-shirt at 3am. One minute asleep. Next minute removing power sounder 😦😦😦 preventative maintenance  ::)
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: dave the builder on 11 December 2019, 19:58:08
It isn't the dreaded powersounder problem. That problems is the internal batteries leak, cause a short circuit, and sets fire to the car.
Something is setting off your alarm. The usual culprit is the bracket which holds the bonnet alarm switch gradually bends downwards and allows the switch to open, setting off the alarm. Bend the bracket up a little and see if it cures the problem.
A faulty power sounder can activate the alarm. Been there, had that t-shirt ;D

Me too. I got my t-shirt at 3am. One minute asleep. Next minute removing power sounder 😦😦😦 preventative maintenance  ::)
2 AM for me ,on the 13th  ::) and the wiper arm would not come off  :'(

does defective micro-switches not set the alarm off  :-\ door thinks it's open ?
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: YZ250 on 11 December 2019, 22:18:41
I was lucky with mine, it chirped at me as I walked towards it in a car park. Ten minutes later it was removed. I did cut it in half to inspect and the weeping on the circuit board was very evident.  :y
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: 456lbft on 12 December 2019, 08:33:57
Thanks for all the replies, fortunately mine went off at 5.40am, and I had to get up at 5.45 anyway (who knew that Vauxhall invented Alexa all those years ago..!). Now it is providing an excuse to keep it securely tucked away inside out of the rain while I fix the problem ;). It did actually turn off with the fob once I was awake enough to press the correct button, so I am thinking microswitches are more likely than battery leakage. The history file suggests that the powersounder was changed a few years ago. I don't really like the idea of an under bonnet fire :'(, so it will probably go anyway. If I'm lucky it might take me until April to fix it, once the salt is off the roads...
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: ronnyd on 12 December 2019, 14:11:48
Take it off now then forget about it forever.  :)
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: 456lbft on 18 December 2019, 10:45:09
The under bonnet micro switch bracket that is attached to the PAS reservoir was definitely bent.  I haven't have to time to wrestle with the wiper arms to get the cover off and remove the powersounder yet, assuming that's where it is? 
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: 456lbft on 18 December 2019, 11:56:32
Ok, I've read the guide.  I assume that the powersounder is a different sound to the regular alarm which sounds the horn and sets off the hazard lights. All I heard before was the car horn, so does that rule out the powersounder.  It will come off anyway, and I will have my earmuffs ready for when I disconnect it.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: TheBoy on 18 December 2019, 17:22:22
Ok, I've read the guide.  I assume that the powersounder is a different sound to the regular alarm which sounds the horn and sets off the hazard lights. All I heard before was the car horn, so does that rule out the powersounder.  It will come off anyway, and I will have my earmuffs ready for when I disconnect it.
The powersounder will set off the main alarm under some of its standard fault conditions. So still take it out.  But also unplug the bonnet sensor if it still goes off :)
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: 456lbft on 19 December 2019, 09:55:23
Ok thanks, all was quiet last night thank goodness and I will spend some time tinkering over the festive period to make it safe. 
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: zirk on 19 December 2019, 14:59:14
Ok thanks, all was quiet last night thank goodness and I will spend some time tinkering over the festive period to make it safe.
As said just unplug the Bonnet Sensor, Bin the Power Sounder asap.  :y

As a temp measure, assuming the car is parked somewhere secure, ish, Lock the Drivers Door by pushing the button down on the Drivers Door via the rear Door, that will lock the Car (not Dead Locked) and stop the Alarm from being activated until you get it sorted.   ;)
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: Darius on 24 December 2019, 18:06:18
Is a quick and nasty solution to cut the lead from the car battery +ve to the powersounder? 

The powersounder will now sound as it is detecting the car battery voltage.  After it has run its battery flat you will not have any more trouble from it.  Tape up the cut wire in the loom.

Even if the flat battery in the powersounder carries on corroding it does not have any power to cause a fire.

I have read that insurance surveyors often now look to see if a stolen Omega has had the powersounder removed and a casual glance would not spot this change.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: robson on 24 December 2019, 19:23:53
Do insurance surveyors look at Omegas is it worth their time Bearing in mind the value of the car.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: YZ250 on 24 December 2019, 21:15:33
.....
I have read that insurance surveyors often now look to see if a stolen Omega has had the powersounder removed and a casual glance would not spot this change.

If that was a concern, for the very little time it takes, you could always remove the powersounder, cut it in half, gut it and tape it back together and put it back. Visually it would still be there if anyone pulled the grommet and peered inside the hole. Personally, when mine chirped at me it was leaving the building.
I do see what you are saying though as the radio guru Dave DND posted a warning regarding the Thatcham category insurance breach if you remove it. It was saved as a sticky in the Electical area I believe.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: 456lbft on 25 January 2020, 11:32:17
.....
I have read that insurance surveyors often now look to see if a stolen Omega has had the powersounder removed and a casual glance would not spot this change.

If that was a concern, for the very little time it takes, you could always remove the powersounder, cut it in half, gut it and tape it back together and put it back. Visually it would still be there if anyone pulled the grommet and peered inside the hole. Personally, when mine chirped at me it was leaving the building.
I do see what you are saying though as the radio guru Dave DND posted a warning regarding the Thatcham category insurance breach if you remove it. It was saved as a sticky in the Electical area I believe.
Are there any implications to reconnecting the bonnet switch no that the power sounder is out? Incidentally, the sounder didn't make any sound at all when I disconnected it, I was prepared with ear defenders on and everything!
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: YZ250 on 25 January 2020, 12:13:43
Are there any implications to reconnecting the bonnet switch no that the power sounder is out? Incidentally, the sounder didn't make any sound at all when I disconnected it, I was prepared with ear defenders on and everything!

Now that the powersounder has been removed, the risk of fire has been removed. If the bonnet switch is in the correct position the alarm will still function properly without the sounder, it will sound a seperate horn (not the car horns) when a sensor is triggered. The powersounder function is merely to detect when the main battery power is disconnected during a break in, so no, there are no implications from reconnecting the bonnet switch with the sounder removed if the switch is positioned correctly.
The sounder can be removed within about fifteen seconds of ignition being switched off without sounding. If it was longer than this it was definitely faulty anyway.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: 456lbft on 26 January 2020, 10:18:05
I would say it was longer than that, because it took ages to get the wiper arms off...but I'd also disconnected the car battery anyway.  When the car alarm had been going off for no reason it sounded just like the car horn sounding off in time with the hazards. It hasn't happened since the bonnet switch has been disconnected, so I am a bit reluctant to plug it back in now.  I had thought the alarm was all down to the power-sounder.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: YZ250 on 26 January 2020, 12:08:28
.....
The sounder can be removed within about fifteen seconds of ignition being switched off without sounding. If it was longer than this it was definitely faulty anyway.

I've just re-read what I'd written above and I should have written "The powersounder shouldn't sound if the main car battery is disconnected within about fifteen seconds of switching the ignition off". Once you have done this you have all the time in the world to remove the sounder. Sorry if that was misleading.  :-[
The alarm horn is close to the powersounder so you may have seen it when the scuttle was lifted.  :y
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: biggriffin on 26 January 2020, 19:18:46
Have had the Fawlty power Sounder, and lost a car because of of one,, even the fire brigade couldn't save it,, was a sad loss.
 So remove power Sounder, unless you wish to lose that nice car.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: 456lbft on 27 January 2020, 13:25:11
Have had the Fawlty power Sounder, and lost a car because of of one,, even the fire brigade couldn't save it,, was a sad loss.
 So remove power Sounder, unless you wish to lose that nice car.
Thanks it's gone.  It might get refitted in "safe" mode with guts removed, if ever an agreed value insurance demands it.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: Enceladus on 27 January 2020, 15:16:53
Is there an easy way to check if the power-sounder has already been removed/disabled or not?
Without removing the wiper arms and scuttle, I mean.
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: YZ250 on 27 January 2020, 16:53:04
Is there an easy way to check if the power-sounder has already been removed/disabled or not?
Without removing the wiper arms and scuttle, I mean.

There is a deep rubber grommet in the offside scuttle area that is right next to it. You can stick your finger in the grommet and pull it out completely (after you've removed the leaves  ::) ). Either poke your finger in the hole to feel if it's still there or shine a torch in the hole. If the holding bracket has nothing attached to it then it has been removed. You may also see a small, hopefully taped up multi-plug on the end of a floating wire.
As for disabled, the wire would be loose in the hole, as the multi-plug would have nothing to attach to. I would like to think that nobody would just unplug it, and still leave it in situ without gutting it first.  :-\
Hope that helps.  :y
Title: Re: Alarm going off
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 27 January 2020, 17:21:42
Undo the single torx screw on the scuttle next to the brake reservoir and lift it slightly, although it is visible without.