'93 W124 E(?)250 Diesel Alarm system

[davdog]

Just bought this car and the electrics seem a bit of a mess - mostly due to the alarm I think. Lots of the interior stuff doesn't work but fuse 9 is missing from the main fuse box. When fitted some of the lights etc come back to life but the alarm tries to go off all the time - quietly as the sounder under the bonnet has been smashed up. Does anyone know anything about these alarms or knows where I can get wiring info ?
Also the ABS doesn't work (light on on dashboard). Any common problems to look out for on a 110,00 mile example ?
Cheers

 

[david searle]

Have you got the alarm key?

My W124 has the small alarm lock in the glove compartment (1987), and a colleague has his lock in the footwell (1993) because of the airbag. The alarm key (which looks like a computer key - round and about 1cm long) fits into this lock and turns off the alarm.

To re-programme the key fob for the alarm, you turn off the alarm key, then turn it back on again while holding in the alarm button on the key fob for about 20 secs. This should re-set it and it should work.

You could try this to see if it makes any difference.

 

[davdog]

Thanks for the help - I dont have the key for the alarm but have had an auto electrican disable the alarm and things have improved somewhat.

 

[Bruce_Jeffares]

Alarms are more trouble than they are worth;

I'm not sure if there is anything special about a diesel alarm. Here is my experience with alarms;

When I got my 300TE 4-Matic, at 184k, it had a main dealer fitted Scorpion alarm. It was on it's second unit, which had recently failed.

A breakdown patrol had by-passed the alarm, in order to get the car running; apparently, the fuel pump power feed went through the alarm.

The result was a very hot cable, which regularly melted a fuseholder in the 'repair'

I spent £35 to have an auto electrician taker the whole lot out; he said the b..... thing was a fire hazard.

I am amazed that a main dealer would fit an alarm which carried such a high current through such a small cable.

Since then, no problems. Good Luck with yours.