Hi everyone,

I've been scratching my head the last few days..

I have been reading many previous post in regards to my issue but haven't found one that totally related to mine. Tried many things from previous posts but haven't found anything to work..

Bought my xfire in December. Got it home no issues.. I was told to change the battery as it was on its way out. Old battery didn't hold a charge and went dead, I bought a new one and installed it the other day only to have the fog, marker and rear lights flashing (assuming it is the alarm going off). No sound though.. I assume its because the siren has gone bad, dead siren batteries, the cricket on crack must have died lol etc.. (Learnt that from previous posts) ok so that siren needs changing..

Now this is where things get weird. I try to turn off the alarm using the key fob. I even shut the hood. But key fob doesn't shut off alarm nor does it lock or unlock doors... It just flashes the lights one or three times depending if I press the lock or unlock on fob.

I checked the fuses under the hood, they are ok
I changed the fob batteries and did the sync procedure. Still the same..
Disconnected and reconnected the battery several times and no change..

After a few minutes the alarm stops (no more flashing lights) that's normal though..
But it starts up again if I open a door etc..

I try and start the car and it fires right up and keeps running even if the alarm is going and lights flashing..

The tow switch flashes and even if I press it it doesn't go off..

I try to lock and unlock the doors via the manual switch inside the car too but nothing locks or unlocks, switch does nothing. So I assume that it may be the security pump issue etc as mentioned in prior posts..
But the weird thing is that if I let it sit, after a bit the locks just lock themselves...
So I now assume that the security pump system works if it is capable of locking the doors..

I am at a loss here.. I need some help..
Is this thing possessed lol.
Thanks.

Sorry for writing a book but I figured that more details may help solve this.

 

Well I'd say from your post.. We know the alarm module is bad.. I'd replace it and go from there. Just thoughts of corrosion on the board making it a tweaker.. LOL. You can remove the alarm module and use the car just fine if memory serves me correctly. I would think it should rectify the possession syndrome too if it is the source.

 

Thanks for the reply mrmiata.

Ya I figured that the siren must be toast, but as you state the entire module must be toast.. The siren and circuit board, batteries etc are all in one module correct? under the windshield wipers right... but do you think that it could be the root of all evil here lol

 

Simple test, remove the wires to the siren even though it does not sound and see what happens, there's not much point in jumping to conclusions just yet. There are three terminals on the siren, presumably you could put power to two of them and test the siren, which two though? I think it is the center one and the one on the right with the socket at the 12 o'clock position.
I would also look for water or evidence of past water in the trunk well that hides the security/pump module. You do not have to remove the foam, which is a major hassle to remove, just push the foam block toward the rear of the car and peer down the front edge with a light.

 

I had very similar issues. Once I removed the alarm everything was fine. It has been over 3 months and I never had another problem. Batteries had leaked and this was causing shorts on the circuit board in the alarm.

 

Thanks for confirming the "no issue's"..


Thought I had read it before.. but after three + years of reading.. LOL.


I only suggested a "new module" since it's not a 5 minute job .. and personally I would have a tendency to want the alarm back in the car.

 

Thanks for taking the time to help me out here guys.
Much appreciated.
I will take some time next week to take stuff apart to remove the alarm module and will also take a peak at the bottom of the trunk area to see if there is any water. It's been stored indoors all the time so i would be surprised if there was any water in there. But one never know right.. No point in speculating, it will take less time to just have a look lol.
Also i know i read somewhere that you need a security torx to remove the alarm module. I will have to try and find one somewhere. does anyone know what size of security torx it is? If my memory is correct is it a #13??

Also can i just buy this at Canadian Tire or someplace like that? Or will only specialty places sell this security torx?

Thanks

 

It is #40.

 

Thanks for the torx size.
I will try and source one from somewhere.

I just ordered an alarm module from Mercedes, apparently not returnable lol I told them no worries..
It's a week away so apparently Mercedes ship their parts via pigeons lol
I will remove the old one next week and keep you posted afterwards when i get the new one in..

 

If you don't have one get a windsheild wiper arm removal tool . Advanced Auoto has them and they are om Amazon too. Arms are really on there. Your new alarm will chirp when you lock/unlock your car.



http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...rm+rmoval+tool

 

Yup thanks Hawkske for the puller advice.

I do have a variety of pullers in the shop to work with. I also noticed that on the driver side there is no rubber boot on the wiper arm and the hole is off center. Is this a manufacturing defect and should I get another rubber boot and modify the hole in order to add the boot in order to make it match the passenger side?

Yes it will be a bonus to have the chirp.. Just as long as I don't get blaring random siren going off now lol

 

Yes, that is a manufacturing defect common to all models.
See onehundred80's thread on this :
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...iper-stem.html

 

Perfect, thanks ala_xfire

I will order myself an isolator and make the hole modifications when I remove it to change the alarm module.

 

Just wanted to give an update.

I still haven't received my new alarm module. But decided to remove the old alarm module. After removal and disconnecting it. I reconnected the battery and shut the hood.

The car acted exactly like before. Lights flashing and key fob doesn't work. Just wondering if that's what should be still going on after removal of the old one? Or should it be acting differently? Or will it take connecting the new one to change things? Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

 

I guess I'm confused as to why we're all so sure it's the alarm module and not the vacuum module in the belly of the trunk? I know when mine got water on it my alarm went off like crazy until I replaced it...

 

As mentioned before the locks happen to lock themselves once the lights stop flash etc.. so i would assume that the vacuum pump works.

I would like to check if there is water down there but at the moment the hatch door is locked and can't unlock it so it makes it pretty difficult to do so at the moment. If anyone knows how to unlock the hatch in any other method i would then be able to check for water. Or just go under the car and take the plug out.

the car has been stored indoor for a long while now and has not seen rain in forever so i would be surprised if there was any water back there

 

Is it quiet enough you can listen around the car for a leak in one of the lines? My roadster has some leak of a sort at the passenger side door and sounds like the center console.. and the pump runs a while and eventually locks them. Just a thought since your trunk isn't operating.

 

When my locking module went bad, the vaccuum still worked, the locks still locked, but just at random and sparatically. The hatch can be popped if you get in the trunk from the inside and remove the trim panel.

 

There is no leaks in the system.
The fobs don't lock or unlock anything. Just get the flashing lights when i push the buttons.
Mind you the markers and fog lamps are flashing like the alarm is going off. Hopefully swapping the Siren alarm Module with a new one will solve the problem if not i will have to get the hatch open or remove the drain plug under the car and go from there..

I hope i don't have to resort to crawling into the trunk to remove the trim and lock.. That can't be fun lol

 

I would go ahead and take a single edged razor to the two rubber plugs under the rear (trunk?) well (try the right passenger side first). Slice an 'X' into it and if water comes flowing out then that pump module is probably 'toast'. If you slice the 'X' evenly the resulting 4 tabs will 'sort of' self seal (don't go too crazy with the razor). It still could be water damage if any water intrusion has since dried up, so if slicing those 'X's in those plugs in the well does not result in water coming out then you just might have to go ahead and remove the side rear trim panels and lower center rear trim panel to get the lower well Styrofoam inserts out so you can inspect the right side modules near the bottom of the well. I just sliced up those Styrofoam inserts (carefully, there is a bundle of wires/tubes leading to that module that you do not want to short out) and slid them out not knowing how to get them out until much later. Anyway, when you get to that module, carefully unwrap (If memory serves me it is wrapped up in something) and check for corrosion. If that module is corroded you may have to replace it. Post back if you found water in there after slicing those 'X's in them plugs, or if after removing the Styrofoam inserts you find corrosion damage. Good luck!