Advice on activating alarm on C180 Sport

[Scots_Man]

Hi,

I have just bought a 97 C180 Sport. I am not sure if it is something I am doing wrong, or if there could be a problem with my alarm - or, in fact, there is no problem at all and I am just imagining things

My alarm activates off a key fob, and according to the book (it is genuine Mercedes fitted alarm), the led in the mirror should continue to flash to indicate that the alarm is activated. It also suggests that the led in the lock, the mirror and the indicators and horn would temporarily work to show that the alarm is set.

The leds in the mirror and door handle flash for a few seconds when I press the key fob, but then go out. The indicators don't flash or the horn doesn't sound. After this, there are no visible leds inside the car to indicate the alarm has been activated.

Do you think there is a problem with the alarm, or am I not activating it correctly.

Thanks in advance,

Gary

 

[jberks]

Hi Gary,
Yes you are missing something - the alarm!

Seriously, Merc didn't fit an alarm as standard until the facelift one (which didn't have lights in the doors or mirror). My 95 C was exactly as you describe yours, so I had an alarm fitted which integrates directly with the central locking, arming when the car is locked and disarming when unlocked, so I could continue to just use the merc remotes and not have top have a second one for the alarm. Your local alarm fitter should be able to advise. If you don't get any joy from them, let me know and i will get the make of the one I had fitted from my Dad (who still has the car).

 

[Scots_Man]

Oh :Oops: :Oops:

At least now I know

Thanks for the quick reply

 

[pascal]

You say it activates. Do you mean it arms or goes off.

Most earlier alarms were non-MB, because the MB alarm was not Thatcham cat 1 approved. The retrofitted alarm was made for MBs by a third party. There should have been an extra booklet with your handbook.

Basically most alarms go through an arm phase, and the doors/interior sensors do not arm untill 20/30 secs after setting. To check if it working, open door with key after about 30 secs from setting

Pascal

PS: Scots Man; I'll delete your dublicate thread in General

 

[Scots_Man]

Hi again,

I have checked the car, and it has sensors and an alarm siren, so I would say there is definitely an alarm fitted.

I have tried what you suggested Pascal, but the alarm doesn't trigger when I open the door with the key. I spoke with a chap at the local Mercedes garage who said the same thing - the alarm in my car would have been retrofitted. He thought that the fuse is probably blown and suggested looking in 2 possible places for it - under the dash on the drivers side, or under the existing fusebox in the engine bay.

I will have a look tomorrow and let you know the outcome.

Thanks,

Gary

PS Thanks for removing the duplicate post Pascal

 

[Scots_Man]

Hello yet again,

I have checked the two locations suggested by the Merc garage as to where my alarm fuse would be situated (underneath the engine fuse box, or under the dash), but I cannot find it :sad:

Any suggestions on other locations of the fuse? (I am trying to avoid tracing all of the wiring back from the alarm siren )

I am not sure of the make of the alarm but here are some details that might help:

1. Alarm siren has a black box next to it, with a key slot - located on right side of engine bay (as you are looking into it). I have the key for this.

2. There are 2 sensors on the bottom of each of the inside pillars (front) - one has a little red led in it.

3. As far as I can tell, there is a sensor on the boot and bonnet locks as I can hear a 'click' if I move them gently.

I am just guessing it could be a fuse - the previous owner said that it had been working perfectly. He had the car garaged for some time before selling it, and had removed the battery. The battery was replaced just before I bought the car, so the alarm wasn't tested at this time.

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks

Gary