P38 "Alarm Fault"

I keep getting an 'Alarm fault' message on the display on my P38, it appears
whenever I insert the key into the ignition. I don't need to turn the key,
in fact I don't even need to insert the key fully, literally as soon as the
key touches the barrel, the fault displays.
It also displays 'key left in ignition' occasionally, even after the key has
been fully removed.
Also occasionally I get the double beep from the horn, indication a mislock,
when trying to double lock the car.

Could these faults be connected, and any ideas what is causing them?

SimonJ wrote:
> I keep getting an 'Alarm fault' message on the display on my P38,
> it appears whenever I insert the key into the ignition. I don't
> need to turn the key, in fact I don't even need to insert the key
> fully, literally as soon as the key touches the barrel, the fault
> displays. It also displays 'key left in ignition' occasionally, even after
> the key has been fully removed.
> Also occasionally I get the double beep from the horn, indication a
> mislock, when trying to double lock the car.
>
> Could these faults be connected, and any ideas what is causing them?

My guess would be the sensor that controls the actual alarm. It's a proximity type thing ISTR, so this
could be the reason it goes nuts near the lockj etc.

--
Ta!

Nige

Subaru WRX (54)
Land Rover Turbo Diesel 110 (G)
KTM 520 SX (2001)
Kawasaki ZZR 1100 (1995)

>>>>> "SimonJ" == SimonJ <[email protected]> writes:

SimonJ> I keep getting an 'Alarm fault' message on the display on
SimonJ> my P38, it appears whenever I insert the key into the
SimonJ> ignition. I don't need to turn the key, in fact I don't
SimonJ> even need to insert the key fully, literally as soon as
SimonJ> the key touches the barrel, the fault displays.

Sounds like a fault with the transponder in the key barrel. Not seen
it before, but I can't think of anything that would cause it. Does it
happen with both keys?

SimonJ> It also
SimonJ> displays 'key left in ignition' occasionally, even after
SimonJ> the key has been fully removed. Also occasionally I get
SimonJ> the double beep from the horn, indication a mislock, when
SimonJ> trying to double lock the car.

These certainly related, as you will get a mislock if it thinks the
keys are in the ignition. Mine does this when very cold and the
ignition barrel doesn't register the key being removed due to the
lubricant getting sticky at low temperatures. I guess it needs a
re-lube, but I can't get a definitive answer on what to use to clean
and relubricate the lock.


HTH

Andy



--
Andy Cunningham -- www.cunningham.me.uk
HELO my name is sendmail.cf. You SIGKILLed my shell. Prepare to vi.