We got our car in the spring. Just after we got it, I found out about the siren when I accidentally set it off. Yesterday I am going thru things and when I activated the siren again it sounded more like it was about to blow a bearing or something. Wouldn't scare anyone, except the owner. Researched the forum and the only thing I could find was a battery replacement how to and then it didn't sound like screeching crickets any more. Only reference to improper noises?? So is a battery replacement my solution?, maybe some TLC or do I need a new siren? Thanks for the input.

 

If it is making screeching noises, you need a new siren.

 

Plus one on that.
The batteries may have leaked and the acid eaten the circuit board.
You could slice it open as per the instructions and replace the batteries if they are just shot with no circuit board damage.
It is worth a try as batteries are cheaper than sirens.

 

Where is the "siren" located? When I press the panic button I only get flashing lights.

 

under the windshield wiper cowl in the center.

 

By the way, I cant seem to find a source for the siren batteries. I want to check availability and price before I decide on a new siren or not. If the batteries aren't too bad, I will try a repair. Any help on a source? Thanks.

 

Here are a couple of links to the siren.


https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/MB-219...BoCg88QAvD_BwE

 

Locating a siren is not a problem thanks anyway. Locating the replacement batteries inside the siren I am having a challenge with.

 

By the way, I cant seem to find a source for the siren batteries. I want to check availability and price before I decide on a new siren or not. If the batteries aren't too bad, I will try a repair. Any help on a source? BTW the amazon seller had some comments that it wouldn't work in a Crossfire June 2019. A Crossfire owner said it worked in June 2018. Does anyone know for sure? Thanks. Thanks for the links.

 

I understand you would prefer to change ther batteries rather than the whole siren unit. I had the same thoughts with mine.
However, i would say there's a 99% chance your circuit board is corroded beyond repair. I recommend you perform an autopsy on your unit to check ther circuit board before trying to source replacement batteries.
I changed mine a few days ago, photos attached.
Note: my car hard always been garaged and very well cared for so no crossfire is immune.

 

Thanks for the post. You have a good point. I just didn't want to pull the cowl cover until my winter maintenance starts in a month and I will have the car apart and off the road all winter. Just lining up my ducks for the winter. Maybe I'll pull the siren this week and put it back together minus the siren now. Don't need it to drive it. At least then I'll have a better idea. Thanks for the pics. Our car has always been inside and well cared, only 55k. I have done a lot of preemptive fixes anyway. My RCM was mint on the outside but had those 3 questionable cold solder joints, so I fixed that as well. No car is exempt and these cars are mostly easily and inexpensively repaired. They are built like tanks mechanically!

 

So does the siren have to be sawed apart as it appears in the photo or is there another non destructive way of disassembly?

 

It does have to be sawed apart. One advantage to a new siren is you can get one the chirps and lets you know it is locking / unlocking.

 

If you do a search on this site for replacing the siren, you will find lots of info including changing the batteries.

 

Good thread, good replies. Good advice.
I was thinking of buying batteries from an electronics supplier but I like the chirping feature. Not so much with the horn blowing like a few vehicles that I've owned.

 

Beeping siren part numbers.
CLICK

 

Thank you kindly!
This led me to another option using a piezo connected to the RKE relay. I'm more interested in the un / lock verify.
There's a slight concern about this in that it is altering the circuit which has connection to the irreplaceable skreem.
The theft alarm isn't so important to me since my $7k car is fully insured. None the less, I'd like the car to function fully.
But I guess I'm rambling a bit..

 

Johnny Versatile,
My siren didn't operate so I ordered new batteries thinking that I could just replace the batteries and everything would be fine. Here is a link to the batteries I purchased on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Ni-MH-Bu...72.m2749.l2649

I took my siren apart and found, like everyone said, a circuit card ruined by the leaking old batteries. I just taped up the connector under the cowl and didn't install a siren. Car works fine without it. There are a lot of used sirens on sale on eBay but you could be buying a siren that may have a ruined circuit card.

Before you purchase any batteries take your siren apart, there is a procedure on the forum, and see if your circuit card is damaged. If so, a new siren costs around $140.00. Hope this info helps.

 

Another question while this thread is alive and current; which fuse should I look at before ordering a new siren?

 

#9, The siren uses its built-in rechargeable NiMH batteries to sound the alarm.