Alarm keeps going off!

paradigm · 9 Jan 2008 at 08:17

As of Monday, my alarm keeps going off for what I can only attribute to the boot-shut sensor. Car is a 2003 Seat Leon Cupra R (for those who don't know).

When I turn on the ignition, I get a half-lit (feint) warning lamp telling me the boot is open (its not). The lamp gets brighter when the engine is on, but after driving for maybe 5 minutes, goes out.

I've tried taking the cowelling off the inside of the tailgate, and had a look to see if there was anything loose, or wet. The car did have a problem with the rear wash/wipe pipe coming off, but that was 2 years ago now, I thought it might have been something similar, but alas no, the pipe is securely attached.

There are two plugs on the tailgate, one (higher up, bigger plug) goes into what looks to be the central locking solenoid, the other I'm not sure, it seems to go into the catch at the bottom, would this be the culprit here?

I have tried a search on seatcupra.net, but the only thing I could find that was relevant was the wash/wipe loose fitting problem, which isn't the case here.

One last thing, I got home at around 5:30PM yesterday, the alarm didn't start going off until 4:30am! The same was pretty much true Monday night too, alarm didn't start going off until the wee hours of the morning.

Any ideas guys?

Thebug · 9 Jan 2008 at 08:25

Sounds like an earthing problem - maybe rust from where the washer pipe came off - take out the switch and clean the contacts

IceAx · 9 Jan 2008 at 09:59

Sounds like a dodgy boot switch to me.

Andy

paradigm · 9 Jan 2008 at 10:32

Yeah, does to me too, however disconnecting it gives me the same symptoms, which would tell me that it could be the cabling and not the switch.

SamuraiTortoise · 9 Jan 2008 at 10:43

Do you have you access to VAG-COM, may throw up an error of some kind if it's sensor related.

paradigm · 9 Jan 2008 at 10:48

Nope, not got VAG-COM access

agw_01 · 9 Jan 2008 at 12:09

I know it won't actually solve your problem, but is there anyway to lock the car without arming the alarm?

Lock with the key instead of the fob?

Firestar_3x · 9 Jan 2008 at 12:20

Pop down to Votex EL, when i blew a coil pack i asked if they would plug in the laptop and figure which one, they did for free, sure they wouldn't mind doing for you.

paradigm · 9 Jan 2008 at 12:22

Yeah cheers Mark, the thought had crossed my mind.

SeatCupra.net seems to suggest I'm going to need a new bootlid catch mechanism.

Joy.

agw_01 said:
I know it won't actually solve your problem, but is there anyway to lock the car without arming the alarm?

Lock with the key instead of the fob?

Nope, that still sets the alarm active.

Firestar_3x · 9 Jan 2008 at 12:24

It can't be anymore than a sensor on the boot catch indicating if its shut or not, unless you also have a tilt switch in the boot lid?

paradigm · 9 Jan 2008 at 12:33

Its a stupid electric catch that is also attached to the central locking system, its also all one unit, so I doubt its possible to replace the sensor without replacing the catch.

Firestar_3x · 9 Jan 2008 at 12:35

Thats gash, can't you go back to the place that fixed your car and say they broke it?

paradigm · 9 Jan 2008 at 12:39

You mean the place that still hasn't fixed my car?

Maybe worth a shot.

Firestar_3x · 9 Jan 2008 at 13:36

Aye give it a go, figure out what that unconnected wire was for?

paradigm · 9 Jan 2008 at 13:38

The one that was dangling in the boot after the first "repair"?

Yeah, they have wrenched out the third brake light. Also discovered my spoiler is pretty battered from where they have attempted to prise it open :mad:

Firestar_3x · 9 Jan 2008 at 14:36

What a joke, must be the worst repair from an insurance approved place ever!

Sounds like they let some 5 year old loose with it.

Alarm keeps going off!

SamuraiTortoise

SamuraiTortoise