How to Maintain a Car Alarm

Like any other electronic product, a car alarm can break down, whether it's due to regular wear and tear or other influences. Because the alarm is integrated into the car's electronics, whatever happens to the car can affect the alarm. And many of the components of an alarm are exposed to the outside elements.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Battery For Car-alarm Remote Control

Examining the Car

1. Make certain that the car's battery contacts are clean and that the battery terminals are free of corrosion.

2. Confirm that the alternator is performing properly.

3. Check the battery and power cables every three months. Wriggle the cables and make sure that they are tight and free of corrosion. Check for cuts and nicks in the cables. If you find any, replace the cable.

Checking Alarm Components

4. Inspect alarm components under the hood periodically. The heat of the engine

5. and water from the outdoors can affect the life of the siren. Rust might

6. accumulate.

7. Examine aftermarket pinswitches on the trunk, hood and doors. Lubricate them periodically with WD40 or a compound like it.

8. Change the battery of the alarm's remote control transmitter at least once very eight months to one year.

9. Listen to your alarm. Most alarms include a diagnostic feature. Familiarize yourself with how that feature works and how to interpret the flashing LED and siren chirps that are a part of the diagnostic process. You can get this information from the owner's manual that comes with the alarm.

10. Return to your dealer for service if the diagnostic feature shows that a sensor or pinswitch is malfunctioning.

Tips & Warnings

• You can obtain batteries for your alarm's transmitter from your retail alarm dealer, an electronics supply store, a general hardware store or a jewelry store that carries watches.