Alarm triggering

[fazool]

Regent responded with a couple links to the R&R instructions for the siren module. One that he linked also listed a source for the batteries - A manufacturer called Nordic Battery from Oslo Norway. I emailed them a request to purchase their battery part number N2H240 (the ones in the module).

I got a response this morning saying "Sorry, not available".

So, either they stopped manufacturing that part number or they cannot sell it direct to a retail customer (their may be exclusivity agreements with the module manufacturer). Either way, replacing the original battteries isn't a current option.

I repaired my battery pack but am keeping my eyes open for future options. The next time I find a siren module at a pick-and-pull I'm going to get it and try rebuilding it with an available battery. It will probably be an outside pack since the available ones are much larger . RS-Export has soe 1.2v batteries and you could stack six of these if you want to make your own stack.

A prismatic cell pack may also be more viable.

[fazool]

Doing further research I found that German battery maker Varta has 7.2v NiMh packs designed specifically for car alarms.

On this tech brochure, section 2.5 on page 12 shows those options. They are different confiugration that the originals (6x1.2 instead of 3x2.4) but the center pack look slike the most suitable replacement.

http://www.rcmicro.es/pdf/catalogos/HAN ... erf_en.pdf

Varta part number 55625 906 012 will work

But I haven't found a source yet for them.

[fazool]

Epic fail.

Went to work today all happy and my wife just called to say the car alarm is going off in the driveway.

ARG!!! hatehatehate

OK, so now it might be the batteries being truly dead.

I'm going to remove the module, get the SRS light cleared get the codes scanned and then come back to work on the siren module

[regent]

Even a 100% functional module will require to be re-initialized if it has been taken off-line.

The System will attempt to initialize it when you clear the UEM Comm Fault codes (that are probably stored), and if the module is fine and there is no wiring fault, they'll resume talking to each other 'normally'.

[fazool]

OK, I found a local shop (conveniently just down the road from me) and they have the full Volvo authorized Vida/Dice system.


I have an appoitnment with them tomorrow to clear my SRS code and scan my alarm trigger codes. I'll ask them to include that in their efforts.

SHould I just tell them to reinitialize it?

By the way, is that pretty straightforward to do using the knock-off Vida/Dice systems? I can see myself taking the plunge very soon.

[regent]

If you are certain that the module is 100% OK and you have no wiring issues, then ask the indie to initialize it, which should be successful.

And yes, the aftermarket VIDA DiCe setup that we widely use can do this because there is no software reload involved.
Getting a 'Made in China With Pride' should be pretty easy to justify considering the $90-a-pop detail at the stealership

[fazool]

I'm not sure the module is 100% OK. There was a little dark spotting on the PCB but it was minor.

I also shoudl try resetting the UEM. I know the 3x lock/unlock thing but what are thge tricks to this. DO I use the keyfob or do it with the hardkey in the door lock or with the driver door buttons ?

There are three ways to lock/unlock the doors. Which one will reset the UEM? In addition, is timing an issue. I mean if I did one cycle every few hours it would just reset every couple days all the time so there must be some timing to it like seconds or something?

lock/unlock/lock/unlock/lock/unlock is all I know

(btw, I've had the lost sunroof function before and the dealer told me it was an UEM communication problem and to just turn the car off for 5 minutes, which always seemed to fix it).

[regent]

It does it with the key fob 3x(lock, unlock) for sure if there is no hard fault. No specific timing that I am aware of.
If there is a hard fault, then the code(s) will keep coming back as soon as the UEM fails the self test or loses Comm.

[fazool]

Found a local shop right down the road from me with the official VIDA/Dice system (paid$4K he said so its not a Chinese knockoff).

I left the car with him to 1) clear the SRS code 2) scan for alarm trigger codes 3) re-initialize the UEM.

I did the 3X L/UL anyway.

When I see the last stored 10 alarm triggers I'll know better if I have a bad siren module or bad sensor.

He said he will keep it under $40.

Im still shopping for a Vida/Dice for me but researching more before buying.

[fazool]

Just ordered this

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/2255

Its an excellent option if you need a battery - I did a *LOT* of searching. There is one larger package that has 350mah capacity. The original was 250 so the one I bought is 80% of the original. In other words the siren will squawk for less time before the battery runs out. That's OK my OEM batteries havent had that capacity for years so this cheap small pack is acceptable.

I'll do a more detailed write up soon