1996 Sable Factory Alarm Goes Off Randomly...

[rstuehmer]

With the car locked with either the remote or the lock button the alarm will go off at anytime. And no, no one was trying to break in either! I feel many dollars about to escape me if I go to the dealer with this issue. Any ideas for 1) a fix or 2) how to disable the alarm? I looked at the fuses and the alarm is on the same circuit as the wipers etc. so it's not feasable to pull the fuse.

Many thanks in advance!

[baby sho]

most likley a sticky door swich or the hood pin swich is bad.

Thoes are the only things that will set off the alarm.

goodluck

Brad

PS to diable it just disconnect the two harnesses that go into the white box directly above the gas pedal...very easy acess. You will loose all power door locks, but untill you figure it out, thats the easiest way to disable it.

I think there's one on the trunk as well.

[baby sho]

if its a sable, yes there is.

EDIT: just noticed the "LS" tag in his profile.....must be a mercury.

Brad

[Racer X]

WD-40 trick up into all 4 door latches anyone? That's what I'm thinkin it is.

[biteableniles]

Originally posted by Racer X@Mar 29 2004, 01:33 AM
WD-40 trick up into all 4 door latches anyone? That's what I'm thinkin it is.

It could be that or the hood switch; I mean, the door locks are used the most and are probably the culprit, but the hood switch recieves it's fair share of beatings, what with being so close to the engine and also being semi exposed to the elements.

BTW, the hood switch is a black button on the right front side of the engine bay (looking head on). It should go up and down. You can play with it's functionality by pushing it in and locking the doors remotely, then letting the switch off. The alarm should go off....

[DNAMIT]

Hi,

The same thing happened with my 96 Taurus Wagon. Does your glove box pop open on its own? Mine occasionally would and this set off the alarm.

[rstuehmer]

And the winner is....the hood switch! The switch itself was fine but the rubber plug that makes contact with it when the hood is closed had deteriorated to the point where the switch pushed all the way through it causing the alarm to go off. $3.98 from the dealer.

Many thanks to those who posted with timely and accurate information. I owe each of you a beverage of your choice!

BTW, my 96 Sable LS Duratec has been flawless for 72k. Red, leather, chrome rims, sunroof and JBL Stereo. Got it used for $14k with 30k miles on it.

If anyone is looking for parts like radio/HVAC control consoles I was suprized at the selection E-Bay has for a fraction on the price...I had a whole new cassette tape transfer installed my 99 Econoline conversion van (kids put change in it <_< )
for $105 with shipping from company off E-Bay.

Best Regards,
Ray Stuehmer

Doesn't suprise me. I'm on my 3rd plug. Glad you got it fixed. Brad, my 96 service cd says taurus had the trunk switch too, I've even seen it on my car.

[joshuapace]

Hi

Don't mean to dig up an old post but I'm having the same problem. I'm in Australia so my car is exposed to 40 degrees c + on a hot summer day in the parking lot. My alarm goes off for no reason too. LOL someone left a post-it note on my car saying the alarm went off three times in one day and said the noice was a problem and that I should get it fixed or park somewhere else LOL.

I'm going to try disabling the hood switch. But... when you disable it do you just cut the wire or do you have to short the wires or wha?

Cheers,
- Josh

EDIT
BTW... weird thing this is... I tried locking the car with the hood up and holding the switch down, waiting for the car to arm and then playing with the switch but nothing. It didn't go off. Plus the rubber on it has perished. Switch must be dead and being set off by the heat.