R129 No alarm or imobiliser

[swithin]

Good evening all, and hope all you 129 owners are enjoying the sun as much as i am.

Thought i'd check to see if the car would go berserk if someone put their hand in the car with the hood down and the car locked by remote. I could actually put my arm in and open the door with the interior handle!!! no alarm . With the "alarm" still armed i could then put the key in and start the engine so the immobiliser doesn't work either.

I have a 1998 R Reg sl320, which according to other posts means i have a factory fitted alarm and immobiliser, oh and yes I have the red pimple button on the centre air vents.

Before i call my local specialist, Keys of Bexleyheath (very very good), can anyone give me any advice on what to look for or test first.

So far I have pushed the red pimple button with keys out of ignition, and at all stages of ignition but pimple does nothing. When locking with remote turn lights flash and everything locks, but lights on door handles don't flash either red or green. Don't have lights on my rvm.

All help will be very gratefully received.

g

 

[television]

after 06-08 there is a button that turns the sensor off when the roof is down,, do you have this, and the flip out key

 

[DansSlk]

The door opening bit is one of MB's shortfalls, it's normal.

Or at least every MB with the roof down i have thought to give this a go on (and i mean in the showroom, not in carparks) all gave the same result so it could be acceptance of deviation but i doubt it.

Never been able to start one mind you because it always set's the alarm off.

 

[swithin]

Hi TV, where will the sensor be on the car, and as to key, if you mean ignition key yes it flips out.

 

[stats007]

The ultrasonic detectors are part of the MBSS alarm and dealer fitted. These are automatically disabled when the roof is lowered, so no you won't get the alarm going off when putting your arm in.

Opening the door should cause it to go off, however - using the key in the ignition automatically disables the alarm and hence the immobiliser. You don't have any green/red lights on the door handles as these only featured on the early models.

The 'pimple' activates the immobiliser and audio warning on arming/disarming.

First step - read the manual - everything you need to know is in there.

 

[swithin]

Thanks for the reply Stats, looked at the manual thoroughly but tried everything it suggests will trigger it. I also have the two small black things on the a pillars so they should trigger the alarm when a hand goes into the car, or at least it has on other convertibles i've owned.

On my way to my local specialist for advice and will hopefully be able to close this query off with some good news.

Cheers all

 

[BTB 500]

Bear in mind the alarm siren may have been disabled, depending on year/model there's sometimes a little red key to do this.

 

[swithin]

Well, just back from my local dealership, and they informed me that its a scorpion alarm and has probably been disabled due to a fault and i don't have a little red key. The mechanic said it was doubtfull that it could be fixed as Scorpion went bust some years ago.

Therefore my next query is what other owners have replaced the scorpion with. Have ben shown a Clifford, Hornet and Viper alarms which are all thatcham approved.

Prices including fitting and lifetime guarantee are from £299 to £499. Any comments or suggestions of alternative alarms?

Cheers in advance

g

 

[BTB 500]

Any comments

Well ... are you sure you actually need an alarm?

I reckon an 11 year old SL (which is what I have too) is fairly low risk in terms of being stolen, and presumably the immobiliser still works?

 

[swithin]

Hi BTB, tempted to leave alarm off as it looks like its being armed when remote locking it though am concerned that some toerag may try to get in looking for a phone or satnav, hear no alarm then go to town on the interior.

 

[jaymanek]

i have always used and recommended Autowatch alarms.. they are used in the trade a lot and they are utterly reliable... I have them on all my cars...

Over the years i bet ive had well over 50 fitted and not one complaint or failure...

scorpion, toad, clifford, all rubbish and you pay extra for the name..