Sigma S34 alarm goes off most days at the same time. Any ideas? (1 Viewer)

[BobtheBass]

I had a Sigma S34 alarm fitted to our Carthago by Elite in June, and whilst we were using the van regularly there were no problems and all seemed fine. However, now that it's got colder and the van is parked on our drive I have noticed that the alarm (thankfully a really weedy siren) seems to go off for 30 seconds most mornings between 10.30 and 11.00 am then re sets itself. It doesn't go off again during the day as far as I can tell.

I can't get Sigma's manufacturers to reply to my emailed technical queries so wondered if anyone had any ideas why it does this? Everything is secure, there is nothing moving inside, all air vents are closed etc. I don't really want to turn off the internal sensors as this would lessen the level of protection but it may be necessary. I don't see how it's connected but the alarm seems to be going off as the van warms up?

 

[Clarky]

I suppose it depends on the type of movement sensors that are fitted.
Could they be sensing the air movement as it heats up and rises?

Richard.

 

[DJA]

I once had the same situation on a Toyota Camry which occurred from new. The alarm would go off for no apparent reason at least once a day.

I had booked it into Toyota to see if they could resolve the problem.

Thinking about it we realised that it often went off in the morning when parked on the drive. On one occasion we were on a day trip to Calais and in Carrefor when our son phoned to say the alarm was going on the car which was on the drive. I told him I could not hear it. It was at this point I realised that it could be the sun shining on the bonnet causing a slight movement and setting the alarm off.

The next morning I had to leave very early to drive to Glasgow and the person I was visiting was interested in the car as he was due for a change and it was on the list of vehicles he could choose from.

Whilst he was looking at it I told him about the alarm problem and when we lifted the bonnet he suggested we looked at the alarm switch. When we looked at it it became apparent that the screws holding it had not been fully tightened. Once this was done the problem disappeared.

It did make me wonder how many other screws were loose. No comments please!!!!!

Doug

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hilldweller]

>> Sigma S34 alarm goes off most days at the same time.

What a delicious problem. First question is it always in the same location ?

Then, do you know of any close electric gadgets with a timer in them ?

Or for that matter have you any nearby electric timers, like on a heater or charger ?

 

[Minxy]

It's not near the external vent for your central heating boiler is it? The heat from that could be causing an issue ... or you've got a very large spider inside that gets up at that time every day ....

Seriously though, try moving the van to somewhere else and see if it happens then, if not then it has to be an 'environmental' issue with where/how you park it normally.

 

[jezport]

is it a wireless sensor with a battery that may be on its limit and as it gets colder or warmer it could cause a difference in voltage setting the alarm off

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

Seems that this can be a bothersome alarm . http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/sigma-alarm-system-s34-advice-please.71401/

 

[Twos company]

i had a similar fault on my rapido it turned out to be the bonnet sensor had pushed through the soundproofing try extending the sensor a few turns to make it a more solid contact

 

[Gizmouk]

Of all the times it's gone off, has anyone shown any interest or called the Police ?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BobtheBass]

Of all the times it's gone off, has anyone shown any interest or called the Police ?

No! Everyone round here has house alarms that go off regularly so I seem to be the only one who goes out to check when I hear them. My neighbour across the road gives me a nice bottle of red each time I check his out!
I can't really move the van anywhere else as there is just the one spot on the drive, and I don't have the heating or anything electrical on at all. I think it must be the movement of air inside the van as it warms up as everything else seems ok? I have been disappointed by the alarm manufacturers lack of interest in the problem, and the next step would seem to be to contact Elite who arranged for it to be fitted before supply to me. I wish I had gone to Vanbitz!

 

[Minxy]

Of all the times it's gone off, has anyone shown any interest or called the Police ?

... they'd be a bit crap though it they visited at the same time every day rather than just nick it!

 

[Minxy]

No! Everyone round here has house alarms that go off regularly so I seem to be the only one who goes out to check when I hear them. My neighbour across the road gives me a nice bottle of red each time I check his out!
I can't really move the van anywhere else as there is just the one spot on the drive, and I don't have the heating or anything electrical on at all. I think it must be the movement of air inside the van as it warms up as everything else seems ok? I have been disappointed by the alarm manufacturers lack of interest in the problem, and the next step would seem to be to contact Elite who arranged for it to be fitted before supply to me. I wish I had gone to Vanbitz!

Why not ask a neighbour to swap parking places for a day and see if that helps?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hilldweller]

I can't really move the van anywhere else as there is just the one spot

If you have a PIR, how about a shadow at that time of day ? A shadow through a tree even better.

 

[Minxy]

If you have a PIR, how about a shadow at that time of day ? A shadow through a tree even better.

If the OP does as I've suggested and MOVE the flipping thing it will resolve a lot of those types of queries .... surely it's the first thing to do rather than try to get all technical about it and/or get the dealer involved for what might NOT be a fault.

@BobtheBass get off your flaming fishing stool and move the flipping thing!!!

 

[hilldweller]

what might NOT be a fault.

There is no doubt it is a fault. Intruder alarm is set, alarm goes off without any intrusion.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BobtheBass]

If the OP does as I've suggested and MOVE the flipping thing it will resolve a lot of those types of queries .... surely it's the first thing to do rather than try to get all technical about it and/or get the dealer involved for what might NOT be a fault.

@BobtheBass get off your flaming fishing stool and move the flipping thing!!!

Yes miss! Ooo you are so forceful Mel........ Its only under a tree though, with no PIR fitted in the system.

 

[Minxy]

Yes miss! Ooo you are so forceful Mel........ Its only under a tree though, with no PIR fitted in the system.

Humour me and TRY IT!!!!

 

[pyro]

Sounds like a sensor fault. Possibly the ultrasonic transducers if no PIR fitted. Could be a build up of warming air, slight pressure changes. Perhaps leaving a window cracked slightly open to test?

Sigma make good alarms, Mel's idea is worth a try

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BobtheBass]

Will do in the next few days ta.

 

[Robert Clark]

Will do in the next few days ta.

Rather than move the PIR how about covering it with duck tape first - just as a test

 

[BobtheBass]

There is no PIR, just ultrasonic detectors unfortunately. I could switch them off to experiment but am a bit concerned if that might cause problems with my insurance that stipulates a Cat 1 alarm must be operational for theft cover to continue. Would disabling the sensors mean the alarm no longer met Cat 1?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pyro]

Agreed, you don't want any insurance issues. Why not slip a jiffy bag or something over the detectors one by one to try to isolate which one is triggering your alarm/eliminate a control unit malfunction?

I suspect it will use a form of volumetric detection, which basically looks for air disturbance. I gather the usual problems are location of the detectors, e,g, gathering condensation or pointing towards an area where air would be disturbed by direct heating (windows). A simple issue such as closing a blind might resolve the problem

 

[jezport]

Rather than move the PIR how about covering it with duck tape first - just as a test

It will see through duck tape. Most alarms have a diagnostic mode which will tell you what has activated.

 

[jezport]

Vacuum the ultrasonic sensors

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wagoneer]

I had the same problem with a Strikeback alarm going off about 10am. I replaced the reed-switch sensor on the engine cover, which solved the problem.

If you have a plunger type switch on the engine cover, give it a good clean to prevent tracking and creating a closed circuit (a spray with WD40 would probably help). I would think it is condensation forming around the plunger switch as the engine bay warms up.

Also make sure the plunger switch is adjusted properly so that the switch is fully open with the engine cover closed.

 

[pyro]

Vacuum the ultrasonic sensors

Now that is a sensible suggestion.

A spider cost me no end of trouble (and cost) with my home PIRs. Same would apply to transducers

 

[Minxy]

Now that is a sensible suggestion.

A spider cost me no end of trouble (and cost) with my home PIRs. Same would apply to transducers

I did suggest it might be a spider setting it off .... a GIGANTIC ONE!!!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

There is no PIR, just ultrasonic detectors unfortunately. I could switch them off to experiment but am a bit concerned if that might cause problems with my insurance that stipulates a Cat 1 alarm must be operational for theft cover to continue. Would disabling the sensors mean the alarm no longer met Cat 1?

Your insurance shouldn't be voided by turning off the internal sensors, the Cat 1 requirement is to do with the immobiliser and perimeter alarm I believe, not internal sensors so turning them off shouldn't affect your insurance cover.