Why does a car alarm go off for no reason Starline

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False alarms of a car alarm are familiar to every city dweller.
Loud siren signals regularly wake up residents of apartment buildings in the city. The car owner has to turn the alarm off and on from the apartment window, or leave the house to the yard parking lot. Each false alarm costs the motorist gray hair and causes nervous stress. You can find out the reasons why the alarm goes off on its own. In some cases (for simple malfunctions), car owners manage to get the protective system working.

Causes of abnormal alarm reactions

With normal settings, regular maintenance, the security alarm system activated by the key fob should respond to attempts to open the door, hood, trunk, impacts on the body, windows in order to enter the car interior.

Experts include common causes of false alarms in car alarms:

Large items left in the cabin. The volume sensors of the protective system regard them as the appearance of a person.
Incorrect setting of alarm sensors. An excessive level of sensitivity leads to the security system reacting to strong gusts of wind; shock sensors react to falling branches, chestnuts, fruits, loud sounds, and passing cars.
Alarm wiring faults. Damaged insulation and contact faults trigger the “Alarm” mode. The likelihood of circuit breakage increases for “advanced” alarms with wheel, gas tank, and ignition locks.
Oxidation of door switches, hood, trunk.
High humidity. Condensation on under-hood wires can spontaneously turn on the alarm siren.
Touch of yard animals. Especially often in cold weather, stray cats like to bask on a warm hood.

Cases when the alarm goes off on its own, oh, “Tomahawk”, “Convoy”, “Cyclone”. Expensive, properly configured systems turn on randomly much less often.

Features of problems with alarms from different manufacturers

The reasons for false alarms may vary among anti-theft systems from different manufacturers.

Starline A91

Starline car alarms often go off due to improper installation or loose parts. The operating principle of the sensors is based on the early occurrence of a sound pulse. To prevent A 91 from triggering spontaneously, you need to adjust the sensitivity of the sensors. To do this, perform the following steps:

reduce the indicators of both areas, adding several points for the warning zone;
the alarm system is switched to security mode;
after a minute they touch the body, which helps determine the degree of sensitivity of the sensor;
if necessary, the values are reduced again;
The same actions are performed for alarm zones of Starline car alarm sensors.

The recommended sensor sensitivity is 14, the lowest is 0.1. When the value is set to zero, the sensors will not operate.

Tomahawk 9030

The Tomahawk car alarm may turn on spontaneously due to the following reasons:

Installation of sensors on plastic parts. When cooling, this material creates vibration, to which the anti-theft system reacts. Installing sensors on a metal part of the body helps fix the problem.
Incorrect timer setting. In this case, the siren starts to turn on at certain intervals. Resetting the settings helps solve the problem.

Sheriff

The Sheriff security complex is often activated, especially in the following situations:

Rain getting on the hood (when installing the system under the steering column). In this case, it is recommended to move the sensors to the middle part of the body.
The lamp is set to activate when the doors are opened. If this part of the system is equipped with a diode, the anti-theft agent will stop responding to interior lighting.

Alligator

A common reason for the spontaneous activation of the alarm mode is the increased sensitivity of the sensors. If after adjusting the indicator the problem is not solved, you need to move the sensors and evaluate the condition of the limit switches.

Pantera

The cause of malfunctions in this anti-theft system is the breakdown of the limit switches. The contacts of these parts oxidize, so their condition should be assessed and cleaned. If the Panther security complex reacts to passing vehicles, you need to change the sensitivity of the sensors. After this, the car is put on the handbrake, the on-board network is de-energized and electrical circuits are diagnosed, checking the connections.

Sherkhan 5

If the Sherkhan Magikar system falsely triggers, you need to do the following:

disable additional functions;
clean the door limit switch contacts (replace parts if necessary);
check that the system is installed correctly (false alarms occur if only the car doors are equipped with sensors).

Pandora

If the alarm mode is triggered frequently, you need to evaluate the operating conditions of the security system. Spontaneous operation occurs in frosty weather. A malfunction may occur when the key fob is placed near the steering column or the system is connected incorrectly.

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Read also: How to set the time on a Starline key fob

You can find out the reasons why the alarm goes off on its own. In some cases (for simple malfunctions), car owners manage to get the protective system working.

Ways to eliminate false positives

A car anti-theft alarm is a fairly complex electronic system, equipped with a central control unit and several sensors. Failure of any component can lead to false activation of the protective system.

Before you begin troubleshooting, carefully read the instructions and evaluate your strengths. Any unqualified disassembly can lead to repair of the anti-theft alarm or its failure. Calling a car service costs much less than buying a new security car alarm.

The easiest way to troubleshoot sirens, hood switches, doors, and trunk. It is quite easy to check the reaction to humidity of the alarm siren, which is located in a visible place under the hood of the car.

To do this, with a working siren, you need to disconnect the wires, wait for them to dry (or dry them with a hairdryer), and connect the horn to the security alarm.

When the door switches become oxidized, the alarm goes off on its own, perceiving the broken contact as an attempt to open the doors. In order to remove the malfunction, you need to disassemble the mechanism, clean the contacts, oxidized, rusted surfaces, and check the integrity of the electrical wiring.

You should only undertake disassembly of the door mechanism if you have full confidence in your abilities and experience in car repairs. Incorrect installation of the mechanism will leave the door open until you visit a car service center.

The reasons why the alarm system “Tomahawk”, “Cyclone”, “Convoy” goes off on its own are explained in the video:

The ability to independently adjust the interior sensors depends on your qualifications and the specific model of anti-theft alarm installed on the car. Some sensor models are equipped with a rotary adjustment knob, others are assembled in a one-piece housing. If you were not present when the alarm was installed, it is not easy to find the sensors in the cabin; when installing the alarms, they are masked.

To adjust the regulator (usually installed in the middle position), you need to rotate the wheel in the direction indicated by the pictogram on the case. The correct sensitivity setting of the sensors can be checked by light blows to the body, doors, windshield and side windows of the car.

It is not recommended to repair damage to the sensor board or internal short circuits yourself.

Working with electronics requires knowledge of a specific alarm system, special tools, and testers. It is better to entrust such operations to experienced service organizations. For most car enthusiasts, the easiest way is to contact a car service that installed the alarm.

A properly adjusted security alarm after qualified repairs will not cause you unnecessary worries and will ensure the safety of your car.

Almost all foreign cars, as well as domestic cars, are equipped with a high-quality security system that protects against theft. Car owners are often concerned that the alarm goes off on its own. Illiterate installation and other reasons can lead to such problems.

Causes and solutions

How to properly install and configure an alarm system

Functionality of the Starline A91 shock sensor

Starline A91 is one of the most popular car alarms in Russia. The great demand for it is supported by the combination of a large number of technical advantages with a reasonable price. One of these advantages is the Starline A91 two-level shock sensor, which is triggered if the car body encounters an external impact on it.

The sensor is protected from false alarms by special protection, which protects it, among other things, from the effects of electromagnetic interference. Correctly adjusting the sensitivity of StarLine A91, which is done immediately after installing the alarm on the car, helps reduce the number of erroneous reactions.

The Starline anti-theft system is distinguished by the presence of wide functionality:

special protection of the control panel;
reduced sensitivity to radio wave interference;
automatic engine start in different modes at a distance;
effective sensitivity of the “friend or foe” system;
capacious battery that does not require frequent replacement.

In addition to the above, the system operates reliably in a wide temperature range from -45 to +85 degrees, which is extremely important for the domestic climate.

Control is carried out using the 2 key fobs included in the kit, each of which is capable of influencing the device from a distance of 600 meters.

The efficient and correct operation of the entire StarLine system largely depends on the correct connection of two key fobs to the alarm system. To do this you will need to follow a number of steps:

Find the Valet service mode switch in the car, which allows you to enter the settings - it looks like a regular button and is often located under the glove compartment, steering wheel, or in the fuse box.
To activate the system, press the service mode switch seven times with the engine off.
Immediately after this, turn off the ignition and wait for seven beeps from the siren, indicating that the actions were performed correctly.
Turn on the key fob by simultaneously pressing keys number two and three - another signal will indicate its connection.

The system may not work correctly for various reasons, but the main ones are:

incorrect setting of the shock sensor itself;
unsuitable location for installing the device;
sensors and signal unit incorrectly attached to the body of the car.

The control unit is used to adjust the sensitivity of the sensors.

Causes and solutions

According to experienced motorists, there are 4 reasons why the alarms of Tomahawk, Pandora, Sherkhan, Starline, Sheriff, Panther and others involuntarily go off:

The shock sensor may not work;
moisture enters the system;
the machine is loaded above normal;
The error is caused by the limit switches of the alarm system.

Photo gallery

Shock sensor

All anti-theft systems are equipped with a shock sensor. Its operating principle is quite simple: the device detects vibrations and sends a special impulse to the siren, which is activated and may not turn off.

How to reduce the sensitivity of the sensor

The Starline sensor or another brand of signaling needs to be properly configured so that its activation is not erroneous. First you need to determine the location of the device. So, on Chinese analogues and on models of an older design, the sensor is separately brought to the central unit, where it is connected through wiring. There is a plastic screw on the outside of the case that allows for adjustment.

The photo shows the place for adjustment

Adjustment is carried out manually using a shaped screwdriver. You must be able to set the sensitivity parameter correctly so that Sheriff, Tomahawk 9030, Starline A91 or other alarms from the wind, passing cars, etc. do not go off on their own.

You cannot set a high threshold for the sensitivity of the shock sensor, since the alarm will constantly go off at the slightest reaction, for no reason. It is advisable to stick to average values.

On top models of anti-theft systems, this sensor can be built into the unit itself. To make adjustments in this case, you must read the operating instructions that come with any high-end device. The manual says how to use the key fob to adjust the sensitivity of the device.

If you couldn’t find a manual, you can adjust the device like this:

Disable the permanent alarm mode.
Enter the control unit into programming mode.
Press the key fob buttons while simultaneously holding C and H (the name and location of the keys are individual for different brands and models).

Models of modern sensors are displayed separately and mounted in the cabin under the dashboard. Instead of a tuning screw, keys are used to adjust sensitivity. Several levels indicate the degree of reaction of the device, but it is advisable to set it to the middle position so that the Tomahawk or other alarm does not start to go off on its own.

The video below will help you visualize how the shock sensor on Starline is adjusted. Filmed by Reva 46.

Excess moisture

It happens that after washing a Kalina or another brand of car, the alarm turns on and off on its own due to water getting inside. Electronics do not like excessive humidity; a careful and attentive car enthusiast should turn them off in a timely manner before the procedure. During washing, water can easily get on the sensors, of which there are several in the car security system. The alarm control unit itself is also at risk of getting wet, so experts recommend placing it in as dry a place as possible.

The first thing you need to do to solve the problem is to turn off the power to the alarm, and then dry the wet components and turn it on again.

Volume sensor

Modern high-quality and expensive alarm systems are equipped with volume sensors. If you load anything oversized into the machine, a false alarm will occur. The device reacts to changes in the volume of air in the cabin - if an intruder gets inside the car, the alarm goes off. This is a very successful solution, but with frequent errors in operation. If something falls from a grocery bag left in the car, the sensor will interpret it as a break-in. As a result, the Pantera alarm or another brand of security systems goes off on its own.

The solution to the problem only comes down to disabling the sensor with the help of specialists. In addition, it is recommended not to overload the car.

Problematic limit switches

Special limit switches are alarm elements installed on the hood, doors or trunk lid. They work on the principle: the thief opens one of the car doors, the contacts close, and an alarm signal is transmitted to the control unit. If there is increased humidity or loose closure, the contacts may spontaneously close to open the Sherkhan 5 or Pandora alarm doors. The system will start working again after the moisture has evaporated.

For this reason, it is possible to prevent the alarm from triggering on its own at night or at other times of the day by checking and replacing the electrical contacts. They oxidize or wear out during long-term operation. It will be possible to identify problematic limit switches using the key fob - a symbol of an open door or hood will be displayed on it.

Why the alarm goes off and what to do

The following reasons contribute to the involuntary activation of the alarm mode in security systems of common manufacturers:

malfunctions of the shock and tilt sensors;
penetration of moisture into external parts of the system;
machine overload;
closing the limit switches of the security system (the alarm goes off on its own when the contacts oxidize).

Incorrect sensor sensitivity adjustment

The set of any anti-theft system includes sensors that respond to impacts and changes in body position. The principle of operation of the part is to detect vibration and send a signal to the siren, which is activated and does not turn off. The sensors of any alarm must be configured correctly. The work order includes the following steps:

Determination of sensor localization. In older models of security systems, sensors are located near the head unit, to which they are connected via cables. The housings are equipped with bolts with which the sensitivity is adjusted. In modern models of anti-theft systems, sensors are built into the head unit.
Adjustment. Using a screwdriver with a shaped attachment, tighten the bolts on the housings. You need to be able to change the parameters correctly, otherwise the alarm on your car will go off frequently for no reason. You cannot set a high degree of sensitivity, because the sensors will react to the slightest vibration.

The sensor parameters of modern alarm systems are configured using a key fob. The sensors are adjusted as follows:

The system is disarmed. The control unit is prepared for programming.
Press key fob buttons 1 and 2. The location of the service keys and their names depend on the brand and model of the anti-theft system.
The sensitivity of the sensor is adjusted using buttons. Each level indicates the degree of sensor response. It is necessary to select average values at which false alarms will not be triggered.

Bad contacts

Damage to electrical circuits, loss of insulation integrity and disconnected contacts can lead to the alarm turning on itself at night, causing anxiety to the owner. Similar problems occur when the anti-theft system is installed incorrectly. The likelihood of damage to electrical circuits is greater in devices that can block the engine, fuel tank or ignition switch. It is impossible to eliminate such a malfunction without the help of specialists. In this case, contact a car service.

Low battery

If the battery charge is minimal, the alarm turns on constantly. Two-channel security systems with a liquid crystal display notify about a lack of energy with sound and symbolic indication. The simple system works by activating the siren. You can troubleshoot the problem by following these steps:

With the engine turned off, determine the battery voltage using a voltmeter. If a number less than 11.8 appears on the device screen, the battery should be charged. A value in the range of 12.5-13 V is considered normal.
Eliminate damage to electrical circuits. The latter lead to rapid battery discharge. Check the system using a multimeter set to ammeter mode. The negative contact is connected to the ground terminal, the positive contact to the battery. When electronic devices are turned off, use a multimeter to ring the break points. In the event of a leak, connect the system elements one by one. Normalizing the current helps to understand which part of the circuit is damaged.

Incorrect operation of volume sensors

If you choose the wrong location for installing the sensor, the sensor may be triggered by movements occurring near the car. Removing the system element and changing its location helps solve the problem. The alarm may sound if the machine is overloaded. The sensor will be triggered by a change in the amount of air, mistaking it for an attempt to steal a vehicle.

Excessive humidity

Moisture getting into the electrical wiring leads to the unnecessary activation of the alarm mode. The following reasons contribute to increased humidity:

heavy rains;
condensation observed due to a sharp temperature change (in this case, the siren is activated at night);
clogging of gutters designed to drain rainwater;
penetration of liquid into the head unit and sensors during car washing.

To fix the problem, you need to do the following:

turn off the engine;
disconnect the battery terminals;
disconnect the cables supplying the alarm head unit;
after de-energizing the on-board network, remove the housings of the sensors and control unit;
blot the electronic board with a soft cloth or brush;
dry all parts of the system using a hair dryer blowing warm air.
install parts housings, connect cables;
put the alarm in security mode.

Read also: Car projector on the windshield

Oxidation of limit switches

The problem often arises when installing alarms on older cars. Limit switches in this case are located on the hood, door and trunk. These parts quickly fail and begin to work even without attempts to open the lock. To eliminate the malfunction, you need to carry out the following work:

restore the correct position of the lock parts (the hinges are adjusted using a hex key);
clean oxidized areas with sandpaper;
Replace severely damaged limit switches.

Modern cars are equipped with electronic locking sensors. If the alarm does not turn off due to their malfunction, the lock blocks are replaced completely.

Electromagnetic interference in a parking area

In megacities, there is an increased intensity of the electromagnetic field, leading to interruptions in the operation of security systems. Spontaneous activation of the alarm mode is observed when the norm specified in the technical data sheet of the car alarm is significantly exceeded. The siren is triggered near mobile operator towers, power lines, tram and trolleybus tracks, and industrial zones. The only way to solve the problem is to change the parking location.

CAN bus fault

This element of the on-board network consists of a pair of cables of different levels. If a tire is damaged, the information transmitted by the sensors is lost. The alarm system recognizes such a malfunction as an attempt to steal a vehicle, which is why false alarms are observed. Troubleshooting a CAN bus requires special skills and special equipment. Similar work is carried out in service centers.

Actions of attackers

Criminal acts most often occur in the evening and at night. Due to the frequent operation of the siren, the owner turns off the alarm so as not to disturb the residents of the house. Criminals cause a false alarm trigger in the following ways:

throwing solid objects into the truck;
place special means near the car that contribute to the occurrence of radio interference and vibration of the car.

Experts recommend not disarming the alarm system in case of criminal acts. You can solve the problem in the following ways:

turning on a quiet mode that is not accompanied by a siren;
disconnecting the cable going to the siren.

The choice of security systems equipped with an engine blocker and an alarm light indicator helps protect your vehicle from theft.

How to properly install and configure an alarm system

You need to start setting up the alarm by de-energizing the battery. This is important to do to eliminate the possibility of an accidental short circuit.

Further actions to prevent Alligator and other systems from triggering themselves:

Disable security mode.
Enter device programming mode.
Set the sensitivity scale between complete deactivation and the maximum threshold, marked with the number 10.

The shock sensor is adjusted separately - the degree of perception of the device gradually increases or decreases. It is recommended to hit the body several times to determine what physical impact triggers the device. Semi-automatic alarm setting can also be used. The sensor is switched to memorization and learning mode, then the body is impacted - impacts with different strength, number and amplitude. All this is memorized by the microprocessor and is used during further operation when recognizing impacts.

How to setup

The operating parameters of the piezoelectric element are adjusted by rotating the regulators clockwise with a screwdriver. There are explanatory symbols on the device body indicating the direction of rotation when the response threshold increases or decreases. Additional red and green LEDs allow you to visually determine the moment of operation when setting up the Starline A91 shock sensor.

On the A93 complex, sensitivity can be adjusted through a control panel equipped with a display and a 2-way communication unit. Additional settings are made when programming automatic start, allowing you to ignore vibrations from a rotating starter or a running power unit.

To adjust the sensitivity of the sensor on the A93 or A63 complexes, you must perform the following steps:

Turn off the security mode and the ignition, and then press the button located next to the key with a circle icon.
After receiving signals on the car, the sirens will sound 2 times and the external light alarm will flash three times. The key fob will play a melody, and an indication of the programmed level of the sensor warning zone will appear on the top of the display. Level 10 is programmed from the factory, the user sets the parameter in the range from 0 (off) to 14 (maximum). To change the number, use the buttons marked with triangle icons.
To proceed to adjusting the alarm level, press the button mounted next to the button with the circle logo until the sound signal sounds. Then you need to briefly press the button again. After the light signal and melody are given, the current sensitivity value appears on the display (05 at factory setting). The adjustment is made in the same way.
Save the settings by pressing until the beep and then briefly pressing the button used to start programming again. The processing unit will confirm the successful completion of the procedure by giving a triple signal from the external lighting lamps and a double beep from the siren. Additionally, a melodic signal is given by the control panel buzzer.

How to reduce the sensitivity of the Starline alarm

To reduce the sensitivity on the A93 or A63 complexes during autostart, you will need to perform the following steps:

Turn off the ignition, and then press the button to enter the menu 5 times, which is used to configure the Starline alarm. Turn the key in the lock, activating the ignition circuits.
Using keys with triangle symbols, select the SF section, which is responsible for adjusting additional channels.
Select the channel responsible for the operation of the power unit, and then long press the button located near the key with a circle icon. After the signal is given, the button is released and then pressed briefly again.
Using the buttons with a triangle symbol, function 3 is selected. To select a mode value, use the security button, which scrolls through the possible options in a circle. The design of the security system allows you to temporarily reduce sensitivity while the engine is running or completely turn off the sensors. The correctness of the settings is checked during test starts and engine warm-ups.
After programming the required parameter, you need to press long and then briefly on the key used when entering the settings of the additional channel.
To finally exit, you will need to turn off the ignition. After 3 flashes of the light signal, the remote control display will show the value of the programmed function. After playing the melody, the key fob goes into standard mode with an indication of the current time.

How to increase sensitivity

It is possible to adjust the sensitivity of the A91 alarm using the following algorithm:

Turn the regulators fully counterclockwise.
Adjust the warning level by turning the corrector 1/3 of the way. The setting is made with the driver's door open and the security mode turned off.
The owner periodically checks the force on the body at which the shock sensor is triggered. The threshold is determined by applying light blows to the central pillar or roof of the body. To check, you need to activate the security mode and wait 15-60 seconds (depending on the settings) for the sensor to turn on
Set an alarm level using a similar algorithm. When changing the alarm sensitivity setting, remember that the warning zone value should not exceed the alarm level parameter.

Video “Causes of false alarms”

In the video you can see in detail what causes false alarms. Filmed by Autozvuk channel.

A car alarm is installed for the safety of the vehicle. She must always be on guard. But the security system itself can malfunction and work incorrectly. This situation needs to be corrected as quickly as possible, because attackers can take advantage of this state of affairs and quickly steal a car.

Most often, the alarm goes off on its own. Many motorists face this problem, but few of them know what to do. We decided to correct this situation.

Causes of abnormal alarm reactions

There are a large number of reasons why the alarm turns on automatically in a car. This circumstance significantly complicates diagnosis, identification of the true cause and its further elimination. Below we have provided a list of the most common circumstances that can cause a similar problem:

failures in regulating the sensitivity of sensors that monitor impact, tilt and rolling;
rattling of sensor contacts that control the process of closing the trunk, doors and hood;
low or complete battery discharge and leakage in power circuits;
the car parking area is in the zone of electromagnetic interference, which, at a high level, can disrupt the operation of the alarm system;
problems with electrical wiring;
unstable operation of the CAN bus;
moisture on the main unit of the security system;
problems with the volume sensor;
Attackers can also cause abnormal system reactions.

Any of these situations can happen to anyone in their life. We simply must consider each of these reasons and give advice on how to eliminate them, which will be useful in practice.

What to do in these cases?

As you can see, there are many reasons. Each of them affects different worker nodes. Elimination of each of these causes is carried out differently. Therefore, we have no choice but to consider each of the possible options.

Deliberate actions of car thieves

This reason for the alarm system to be triggered is a classic, the most common case. Typically, car thieves use a standard scheme. They operate at night, when you can take the car owner by surprise and his reaction to what is happening is not entirely adequate. The car alarm goes off as if by itself several times. Usually, after three alarms, the owner concludes that the system is faulty. The anti-theft system is turned off, and the owner continues to dream, deciding to start repairs in the morning.

The problem really disappears in the morning, however, along with the car. You need to be vigilant if you want to keep your property safe and sound. To activate the security system, attackers use various methods; their professionalism and ingenuity are growing by leaps and bounds.

In such cases, you need to act as follows:

under no circumstances should the alarm be turned off;
you can use the quiet mode, which is found in many modern systems;
we go down to the car and investigate the situation, if necessary, call the police.

Incorrect shock sensor sensitivity adjustment

This mechanism is sensitive, even very sensitive. Therefore, the alarm may be triggered during bad weather. Many modern systems are equipped with two-level sensors, for example, Tomahawk alarms, which rarely go off on their own. The sensitivity of such systems is adjusted at the installation stage of the security system. With high sensitivity, false activation is possible.

In case of emergency situations, the sensor can be disabled software or technically. The sensor is usually located under the steering control and is presented in the form of a small block. It is equipped with a connector and an LED. The design is equipped with adjustment holes that require the use of a small “plus” screwdriver. The process of adjusting the sensitivity level is carried out according to the instructions that come with the security system.

Not only incorrect adjustment of the sensor can cause incorrect operation. The sensor may not be installed correctly. Plastic clamps are usually used for its installation. Over time, they become unusable, and the sensor dangles without any fixation. In this state, it can be triggered even by a light breath. The solution to the problem is simple - replacing the fixing clamps.

Contact bounce of door, hood and trunk sensors

This problem is most often encountered by owners of cars manufactured before 2005. Such machines have contact sensors or limit switches that quickly become unusable. Such a malfunction can be determined by the vehicle’s intermittent alarm setting. Initially, the sensor on the driver's door fails, since it is used most often.

The problem is solved by adjusting the curtains and brackets on the door locks, which are located on the counter. In most cases, this resolves the problem. Another solution is to replace the limit switches.