Alarm going off

[Rocket]

Another update:

It has been 2 weeks since the alarm last went off and everything is fine. I have not done anything to try and solve the problem, it has just sorted itself out. The battery voltage was at 11.9 volts when I just tested it, 11.9 volts is a much lower voltage than when I was getting problems with the alarm going off. Yesterday I put the roof down and set the alarm. Then I waved a broom about in the footwell and the alarm activated, so I know the alarm is still functioning.

Two weeks ago the alarm was being a real pain, now it is fine and I have done nothing. :idunno:

Does this coincide with the two weeks of warm, dry weather we just had? Depending whereabouts you're located?
To me, this may suggest a damp connection which has now dried out.

No, the car was in a barn all winter, so no rain on it at all.

 

[domsz4]

[/quote] Yes I can. But i have not had any battery problems. The battery charging was just brought up in this thread as a maybe cause of the alarm going off. But even when we are locked down I still drive the car 50 metres to wash it once in a while and sometime I move it around the farm to be nearer workshop or barn etc particularly now I am at home 99.99% of the time.
[/quote]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this?

 

[Rocket]

Yes I can. But i have not had any battery problems. The battery charging was just brought up in this thread as a maybe cause of the alarm going off. But even when we are locked down I still drive the car 50 metres to wash it once in a while and sometime I move it around the farm to be nearer workshop or barn etc particularly now I am at home 99.99% of the time.

Did you ever get to the bottom of this?

It is still ok. I did nothing and it has been ok ever since. The car is off the road for the winter and is stored under cover. Most off the time I lock it with the the two press method to help conserve the battery which I charge every 2-3 weeks. When I do sometimes lock it in the normal one press method it is ok. So, none the wiser really - roll on springtime.

 

[buzyg]

I charged the battery for 24 hours with my CTEK charger, I gave it a full reconditioning charge. I locked the car this morning with the interior sensor activated and it has been fine for 3 hours. I have not moved the car since I was getting the alarm going off a couple of days ago. The battery came with the car when I bought it and I'm sure the guy said he had put a new one on while he owned the car, I guess it is 4 or 5 years old. Fingers crossed low voltage was the problem. (the car started fine so the battery was not flat). If the alarm starts going off again I will post again. The car is getting no use at the moment but I have been starting it every few days and running the engine for 15 mins or so. During the winter I charge it every week or two with the CTEK.

Your Zed will sit happily for weeks without need to run the engine. Just keep the battery charged. The most likely thing to give you issues when not running, aside from the battery, are the brakes binding. Better to take it round the block when we can, as that warms the gear box and running gear through.

As a general rule of thumb, I have always worked on the understanding that it takes around 7 miles of normal driving to put back the charge used to start a car.
I will admit that this info came to me a good 35 years ago, and things have moved on a bit since then, but I am still sure that just starting and running a car for a short while may not do the battery a lot of good.
Plus, as mentioned, you need to get everything warmed up properly to burn off any condensation as well.

I see this thread is active again.

When I said around the block I was talking of a Cornish rural block. Typically I run the Zed up to Calling ton and back. That's around 12 miles and warms everything through nicely, as well as giving the battery a little extra boost.

I mentioned Sorning the Zed to MrsG a few days back. She reminded me of the trouble our neighbour used to have each spring with his little Mx5, when it came off Sorn. So I'm sticking to my winter routine.

 

[domsz4]

[/quote]
I see this thread is active again.

When I said around the block I was talking of a Cornish rural block. Typically I run the Zed up to Calling ton and back. That's around 12 miles and warms everything through nicely, as well as giving the battery a little extra boost.

I mentioned Sorning the Zed to MrsG a few days back. She reminded me of the trouble our neighbour used to have each spring with his little Mx5, when it came off Sorn. So I'm sticking to my winter routine.
[/quote]

im just trying to get around possible causes for mine deciding to start going off. been no bother for years and then this and this thread has some useful stuff in. I still suspect the battery is dipping but ive seen threads where <12V is ok

so long as you run it enough then the odd start up wont kill it. its the start mine on the drive and let it idle till warm that properly screws things. Although I do find it amusing that I leave the westfield for months at a time and it starts no problem. guess its a lot simpler.