| acuramdx_4life |
The alarm system on my 2001 Acura MDX is not working properly.
If I press the panic button on the keys, the alarm will go off, but if I lock the doors and try to open it from the inside the alarm doesn't go off, although it used to.
If I lock the door, but accidently leave the glass open on the driver's side, I can easily unlock it by sliding my hand through the glass and unlock the car.
The alarm still doesn't go off!
What do you think I should do? |
|
|
| midnightMDX |
| How long do you wait between locking and attempting to unlock? The system might not be arming. |
|
|
| jfgord1 |
I have the same problem....
- Panic works, but no other alarm. Tested by unlocking with the window down.
- Security system not arming (no flashing light on driver side)
- Lights flash when UNlock doors, but No Lights or Beep when locking the doors.
- The 'Chirp' or 'Beep' went out before the alarm because I tested it months back and the alarm worked then. Now both do not work.
- All fuses look fine in all three locations. |
|
|
| polyian |
The 02 service manual states:
"Ten seconds after the doors are locked with the key or the lock knob (with the door open) or immediately after the doors are locked with the lock button on the remote transmitter, the security sytem arms and the security indicator on the door panel flashes. If the security indidcator does not flash the system is not arming. Check the doors hood and tailgate to see if they are closed. A beep to confirm the security system is armed will sound if the LOCK button is pressed a second time within 5 seconds."
"If one of the switches is misadjusted or there is a short in the system, the system will not arm. As long as the control unit continues to receive a ground signal it senses that the vehicles is not closed and locked, and the system will not arm."
Testing begins at the drivers multiplex control unit and passenger multiplex control unit. The first step is to test the control units themselves with a special tool (seems to be a connector of some sort) and then there are several pages of input tests to read voltages at various connector points. This is followed by a series of tests for each lock actuator and hood switch.
Unfortunately there is no simple answer to your problem. The various test procedures look easy enough and I'm sure you can work through them if you get a service manual and follow step by step. You can likely buy the special tool connector for testing the control units from Acura. In summary, your problem could be a faulty control unit, door switch, hatch switch or hood switch and and you will need to follow the full set of troubleshooting procedures step by step.
As first step,I would check that all locks are actually locking when you lock you vehicle. You could have a door or hatch not locking and you would not know unless you tried to open it. Also, I would check the hood switch. Then if all seems OK with those I would start into the control unit testing.
Good luck and let us know how you make out. |
|
|
| midnightMDX |
| Thanks for that info Polyian. Yea, theres a ton of different things could go wrong. There isnt one simple solution to this. |
|
|
| acuramdx_4life |
Thanks guys,
The alarm works now, It's just that I have to wait 10 - 15 seconds after the vehicle is locked for the alarm to activate.
That was my fault - I forgot to read the manual |
|
|
| polyian |
Great News.
I found that description in the Service Manual. I have not checked the Owners manual to see if it is as descriptive.
Either way, now you know :7: |
|
|
| midnightMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by acuramdx_4life
Thanks guys,
The alarm works now, It's just that I have to wait 10 - 15 seconds after the vehicle is locked for the alarm to activate.
That was my fault - I forgot to read the manual
Anytime. :D Read the manual from front to back! :p |
|
|
| jfgord1 |
Thanks polyian.
I have not thought about checking to see if all the doors lock, but will do it tonight.
My MDX is still not arming after 10 seconds, so sounds like something more serious.
Where is the multiplex control unit located in the event that I do go this route?
Thanks,
jfgord1 |
|
|
| polyian |
| There are 2 multiplex control units...drivers side and passenger side. You will need a service manual to troubleshoot and test these. |
|
|
| midnightMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by jfgord1
Thanks polyian.
I have not thought about checking to see if all the doors lock, but will do it tonight.
My MDX is still not arming after 10 seconds, so sounds like something more serious.
Where is the multiplex control unit located in the event that I do go this route?
Thanks,
jfgord1
Have you tried waiting a minute or so? You might need to take it in. |
|
|
| polyian |
If any of the doors or the hatch are failing to lock that will cause the problem since the control unit will not get the door locked signal it needs in order to arm. Same for the hood switch. I was suggesting checking the simple stuff before getting into the multiplexer control units. The troubleshooting for the control units is complex and you don't want to do something to fry one of them...I expect they are not cheap.
If you isolate it to one of the switches not sending a locked signal then the repair is quite simple. |
|
|
|
