p38 alarm/battery drain

Hello everybody I,m Keith I,ve just registered ,

I have a problem with my P38 2,5DT 2001 vintage, my alarm goes off for no reason so I unplugged the siren as it was annoying the neighbours.The alarm still activates but when it has activated the hazard lights are lit but not flashing and its probably the reason the battery drains down, when I turn on the ignition I get a message alarm activated LH Front door..........do any of you experts have any idea what the problem maybe.......as much as I like my P38 its starting to try my patience now so any help would be much appreciated.

Lit and not flashing hmmmmm....

Are your drivers footwell carpets damp at all?

Saint.V8 said:

Lit and not flashing hmmmmm....

Are your drivers footwell carpets damp at all?

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As above plus faulty door lock mechanism possibly.

Thanks chaps, footwells are dry, I have my suspicions about the door lock as the LH door does not operate the interior light, car has a habit of the BECM losing its code for no reason also

Keith13 said:

Thanks chaps, footwells are dry, I have my suspicions about the door lock as the LH door does not operate the interior light, car has a habit of the BECM losing its code for no reason also

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I have a feeling whilst the Door Lock may not help, I have a sneeky suspiscion that the BeCM is playing silly buggers....

What with Lamps on continuously and also the constant losing sync....

Disconnect the battery (Make sure you have the EKA Code), and take the BeCM out and look at the connections to it for signs of corrosion...

If you are brave enough, open up the BeCM - make sure you earth yourself whilst doing so - and look for internal corrosion/signs of moisture....

Saint.V8 said:

I have a feeling whilst the Door Lock may not help, I have a sneeky suspiscion that the BeCM is playing silly buggers....

What with Lamps on continuously and also the constant losing sync....

Disconnect the battery (Make sure you have the EKA Code), and take the BeCM out and look at the connections to it for signs of corrosion...

If you are brave enough, open up the BeCM - make sure you earth yourself whilst doing so - and look for internal corrosion/signs of moisture....

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+1 ^^^^ plus examine all the BECM connectors for corrosion and clean with contact cleaner NOT WD40 if needed.

Had a chat with Rick-the-Pick once and mentioned indicators coming on without flashing, with the car turned off, and he immediately said that it's more often than not an advance warning of BECM issues.
So, I definitely agree with the dynamic duo above, but go carefully and if you don't know what you're doing don't chance it.

Thanks for all the info you,ve all been a great help, in the next few weeks I,m going to get the BECM taken out and checked,by someone who has done it before of course, and I,ll replace the LH door latch, I,ll keep you posted when its done to report what the car does once those jobs are done.

Keith13 said:

Thanks for all the info you,ve all been a great help, in the next few weeks I,m going to get the BECM taken out and checked,by someone who has done it before of course, and I,ll replace the LH door latch, I,ll keep you posted when its done to report what the car does once those jobs are done.

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Rick the Pick is your man for the BECM but before you remove the BECM, check the under bonnet fuse box for signs/smells of burning and for a good connection from the battery. The poor old BECM often gets the blame for problems caused by external things.

Thanks for all the advice on my battery drain/alarm problem.....I had the BECM all checked and that came back with a clean bill of health, I have also replaced the LH door lock and upto now the car has not given any bother, no battery drain,no aalarms going off and no alarm messages on dash display so everything crossed that it looks to me the door lock was causing the problem...but its only been a week since all the parts were fitted!

Hopefully you have found problem,but would check that you have really good battery,and correct r/f unit