Localmotion

I have the viper 550HF alarm w/remote start. For some reason, the damn thing keeps going off randomly. This does not fly well with my neighbors, since i have an air horn. I do not think its my battery, i just replaecd it with a red top. I have no idea why it would be going off randomly. Any ideas?

Paul H.

My alarm did the same thing, then I replaced the 9v battery that runs back up.

Localmotion

where is that located? I didnt even know i had a back up..LOL

964runner

shock sensors probably turned up to high

Localmotion

nah. Ive had the alarm for a while. Its definately not turned up too high. thanks though

MTL_4runner

There are only a few ways that the alarm will trigger so you will need to go through them systematically to find the cause. It could also be a faulty shock sensor (even though it may appear to operate normally). You may need to go back under the dash and check all the wiring for loose or damaged connections, areas where wires may have chaffed or are grounding out as well.

94x4

As an addendum to Paul H.'s post, I'd also check the charge on the truck's battery as the alarms will sound when a low battery is detected.
Sorta like a built in self protection thing in that it needs a certain amount of juice to function properly... have'nt done a recent stereo/speaker/sub/amp upgrade wherein you did'nt use a capacitor, did you ?!?

Bumpin' Yota

ok first things first all alarms are tripped in the same manner.

You will have a:

dome light trigger
trunk trigger
door trigger
hood trigger
shock sensor

a partial connection on any of these could be tripping your alarm and often times are the culprit. Check them first and foremost, then check your main battery...but if it cranks the engine over you shouldnt have any issues there.

Localmotion

man thats a lot of senors...LOL. The thing is, when the car is NOT armed, the alarm doesnt go off. Hmmm....I do have a mercury switch, but thats only activated when the hood is up. It could be faulty wiring. Man i wish i could just take it somewhere and get it looked at. I hate wiring

94x4

Get a tester or meter and start checking all of the previously listed circuits for continuity... Oh, and good luck.

p.s. Perhaps the guys at a car stereo place could check it out for you since they already have the equipment.

Localmotion

i just looked under my hood and there was old mud around the battery nodes. Would this cause it? Img onna clean it off later, i just unhooked everything b/c its tooo early for me.

Matt

Paul H.

You are gonna have to look for it, all alarms are different. It will be under the dash. It should be a square black box. It took me awhile to find mine. Good luck.

bflooks

this may sound stupid, but did you have it installed somewhere? or did it come with the truck? reason i ask is because when i had my viper installed, i was told that pretty much every installer offers lifetime guarantee on installation and the system. but then again, that could also be why it cost me about $325 to get it. my attitude is this, if i don't truly understand it (and i openly admit that i have no desire to know alarms), then i have no problem paying for someone to do it. for example, times like these, you just take it back and say...fix it.

rugerm44

I had one put on at circuit city.They tore up more than they fixed.I had to redue a lot of it because it was done by an idiot.I knew if I took it back they would screw up something else.That was the last time I pay anyone to work on my vehicle.I dont understand why the wont sell you one with out installation.Last viper I will ever own.The starter kill went out one night and I had to dig to bypass it to get home.I think they are made by harbour freight.

Localmotion

the place i had it installed was sold and bought buy another guy. I doubt they will respect old customers like that. THanks though.

Localmotion

if a sensor is bad, what can I do to do to fix it temporarly? thanks again guys