passat car alarm problem

[neil taylor]

i have a 2001 passat sport 1.8T.
and my car alarm has started going off intermittently,also when i try to lock the car and leave the alarm deactivated it wont let me do this.
does anyone have any ideas please

[Shaz12]

Does you remote central locking key work and windows work without any problems?

[Rich1]

Check the front passenger footwell for dampness. I had exactly the same problem which was caused by water entering the car through the bulkhead pollen filter case seal. The alarm control box is under the carpet on the the passenger footwell and does not like water ingression (excuse spelling). The sound deadening material under the carpet is fairly thick but allows water to run between it and the bulkhead.
Best of luck, hope this helps.
Rich

[neil taylor]

Does you remote central locking key work and windows work without any problems?

yes they work ok

[kelpy]

Try removing lower n/s kick panel it only has one screw holding it you will see quite a bit of wiring there you need to locate the grey multiplug which will be the lowest most forward disconnect it you will probably find that plug is corroded with the water coming in from the pollen filter housing clean it with electrical cleaner and let it dry or use a hairdryer once done this should stop alarm triggering but you will need to get the water leak sorted (the bonnet alarm switch wiring goes through this connection) I have done a few of these fixes as I work for VW hope this cures it 4 u

[kriskros]

The following link will fix your leak.

http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com/passat/leak/index.htm

[Normanske0151]

The alarm fault is probably being caused by water trapped in the bulkhead well under the battery. The alarm sounder is located next to the battery and water can get into the wiring connector where it plugs into he sounder. This causes a short circuit and sets off the alarm when the doors are locked. You will need to clear the bulkhead drain holes and dry out the wiring connector and possibly the sounder (depending on how deep the water has got), this should rectify the problem. I had exactly the same thing happen to my 2001 Passat.

[kriskros]

I cleaned out the drainage holes last weekend and moved the alarm sounder whilst removing the battery assembly. Since then, the alarm issue has improved. I reckon a bit of WD40 in the right places may help matters further. Thanks for the tip. I had thought it was linked to moisture in the grey power connector behind the n/s kick panel (as discussed in another thread) however as the passenger side carpets are bone dry (the water flooded over the drivers side) the alarm silencer problem/solution seems more plausible. I'm feeling (dare i say it) almost optimistic about this now!

[Normanske0151]

I did the same thing to mine but also dismantled the alarm sounder and dried it and the wiring connecter out properly. I also gave the connector a squirt of WD40 on assembly. However, i did have another single occurence of a fault with the alarm a few days later. This time when I locked the doors the flashers activated (but not the sounder) for about 30 seconds then reset itself. No more unwanted activations since but me thinks the water ingress into the alarm sounder (full of electronic bities) is now knackerd!! Anyone with any further info on this?

[kriskros]

Having had a fair amount of rain last night my alarm has been playing up again today (on locking/unlocking as usual) havin been good for a week since i cleared the drainage holes under the battery. I presume the rain must be ingressing into the alarm sounder again. Normanske, did you get anywhere with your alarm sounder?

I can now see why this car was sold to me in the summer when all was lovely and dry. Grrr.