Originally Posted by
Al McEwan
We experienced a skreem unit failure in January, 2020 which was evident by the car attempting to start twice and then not starting at all. Several months prior we had the problem of the panic alarm sounding at strange times and resolved the issue by removing the No. 9 fuse. While solving the unintended panic alarm issue, removing the fuse also disables the remote, the interior light, the dash lights, the horn and the ability to lock the rear hatch. On 1/28/20 I sent MDP the failed skreem unit, ECM and a remote key. A few days later they reported that the skreem unit was not reparable. However, at that time they did offer a new skeem unit. In late February I received the new skreem unit programmed to the ECM and two new Crossfire remote keys. The cost was $1190 plus tax and shipping. We reinstalled everything and the car operated as expected. In addition, we replaced fuse No. 9 and have not experienced any unintended panic alarms. One has to wonder whether the unintended panic alarms were a signal that the skreem unit was nearing the end of its operational life.
My alarm had been dead for 4 plus years and no SKREEM failure. Knock on wood. The batteries fail and start to corrode on the alarm causing the battery to intermittently go off/ or panic alarm. That’s what everyone has pretty much come up with on the reason for the alarm going 🦇 💩 crazy.
I put up an extensive post on alarms on Facebook last week. It’s in the Crossfire tech group. There are a couple of less expensive alternatives than the brand new alarm and most of them give you the lock/unlock beep that the new alarm provides. The new alarm is between 149.99-189.99$ that I’ve seen. Some of the used ones on eBay are between 30$ and 70$ and are tested. Just throwing that out there in case you didn’t want to pay that high premium for an alarm. Nice to hear another XF back on the road from a failed SKREEM. Bet you that was a great feeling getting behind the wheel again!!!