W124 Alarm

[chris3004]

So i have noticed that my alarm is disabled. I was thinking of setting up a new alarm system into the car, this will be an after market system. Would it be better do you think to just get the original alarm system put back in place or renew it with an after market system? Would like to you ideas.

Thanks

 

[Dec]

If it’s disabled, it must be disabled for a reason, perhaps it’s faulty?
Have you tried to enable it?
Do you know what make the alarm is?

What type of remote/s keys do you have?

Dec

 

[chris3004]

I'm not 100% sure what has happened to the alarm but I think the original key was lost. So the alarm was deactivated, as i can see wiring has been played with and taped up. Havn't tried to enable it as wouldn't know where to start. I'm also not sure about the make of the alarm I will find out later on and get back to you. I have normal key (not flipout like the photo above)

 

[Dec]

Probably a Scorpion alarm which is an after market alarm that was fitted by the MB dealers.
Sounds like its faulty alright and has been disconnected as opposed to being turned OFF (disabled) with a key.

Probably best to start from scratch and fit a new alarm.

Dec

 

[chris3004]

Dec thats exactly what i have thought to do, but you see thats where i then thought twice.
Do i really want to put an after market alarm when trying to keep it original?

If i decide to get an after market alarm, it would most probably be Viper.

 

[Dec]

I believe that the didn’t have alarms when the left the factory, it wasn’t until around 1997? That alarms were fitted as standard.

Dec

 

[BlueQuinn]

Is there a big red siren under the bonnet?
Perhaps this will help. I found the wiring diagram for the Scorpion alarm that the dealer fitted in mine.
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/154951-i-fixed-my-central-locking.html

 

[grober]

Fit a new one and remove the old one. That way you should get a documented installation which you can enable /disable/override in the event of any problem. Most will use voltage drop and/or switches to monitor car/boot/bonnet opening. A couple of interior ultra sonic motion sensors are a useful add on. They should also provide acouple of vehicle immobiliser circuits one of which should be on the fuel pump to prevent excess fuel being injected into the manifold without the engine running. This could be important to prevent damage to the Catalytic converter . The independent siren should contain a rechargeable backup battery.
Do not try to refit a 15 year old+ alarm which is not documented its asking for trouble.

 

[tintinmt]

I have replaced both the alarms on my cars with the Scorpion SA30. It's basically a straight swap,although mine are both pre-facelift cars. I found multiple faults on the original wiring, primarily where the soldered joints into the loom had failed. It was quite an exercise locating the joints, but OK after that.

 

[andy27168]

Nic at EuroMerc has three of these original OEM MB Scorpion alarm systems brand new still in the box.
euromercwebstore: Scorpion Alarm System
euromercwebstore: Scorpion Alarm System
euromercwebstore: Scorpion Alarm System

 

[BlueQuinn]

Does the SA30 use the same connectors under the bonnet as the old red Scorpion, or would I need to change them?

I reconnected my old Scorpion mainly to see if the remote locking would work, and it does but not very reliably. It also arms and disarms itself as you drive along, so it's a good job I short circuited the immobiliser connections!

 

[tintinmt]

'Same functions and consequently the same wiring. I did not bother to change the sirens so car the car looks original under the bonnet although I don't have either siren connected out of choice.

 

[BlueQuinn]

I have another couple of SA30 questions:
Does your central locking / convenience closure still work from the driver's door lock?
My old 738 prevents this, but it might just be because it's dodgy.

1. it seems like you can program the SA30 to have a different delay for the lock and unlock pulses. Does this mean what I think it means? i.e. that you can set it to 'hold the key in position' for 30-odd seconds so that the windows and roof will close automatically?

 

[tintinmt]

Hi, Unfortunately, I can't corroborate this, although that's mostly based on never having tried it. I would expect the central locking to work off the key for sure but I'm not sure what you mean by 'convenience'. From memory, the delay function is there to suit various manufacturers cars. In this case, one must set appropriately for Mercedes. I must have a note of the specific setting somewhere if you get stuck.

 

[BlueQuinn]

By 'convenience closure' I mean the feature whereby if you hold the key in the 'lock' position all the windows close too.
I've heard that they all open if you do it in the unlock position too, but I've never tried.

 

[tintinmt]

Ah! yes - I know that as 'total closure'. I don't believe the SA30 does this and my 300TE does not have it as 'factory'. I've not checked the later 320CE. It may only be on later cars.

 

[BlueQuinn]

I'd be happy if it still worked off the key, it's just that my current alarm doesn't allow it to. I'm trying to decide between changing to an SA30 or just removing it all and returning the CL to key operation.

 

[tintinmt]

If it was me, and I was going to use the car with any frequency I'd want remote CL.

 

[BlueQuinn]

I emailed Scorpion, and their technical manager replied "The central locking should operate if it’s good when the alarm is connected both from the key in the door and the remote control but the SA30 will not close the windows on W124 model so only set for a maximum of 3 seconds both lock and unlock any longer may damage the car."

That's good enough for me. I shall get one.

 

[tintinmt]

I have had help from Scorpion before. Just to remind you of my point in an earlier post, you will probably find the the old solder joints to the loom have failed. Have fun.