MB standard alarm

[mykaitch]

You may all know this, but just in case....
When I bought my 1998 E240 back in 2000, one day I thought I would test the alarm. When I locked and unlocked the car the indicators flashed okay, but I wanted to hear the noise. There was none. My car was late 1998 and up until say Jan 1999 MB alarms were not Thatcham 1 approved. To get around this MBs for the UK were shipped with no alarm, and the dealers then fitted an aftermarket approved system. Mine was bought direct from the factory and as it was UK spec it had no alarm at all. Those flashing indicator signals have nothing to do with the alarm!

[KillerHERTZ]

Are you sure?

You say that you locked, then unlocked & wanted to hear a noise?

Edit: I get what you mean now...

[maddog]

My w210 doesnt make a noise just the indicators flash but the build code lists an alarm and immobiliser

[television]

You can buy a noise on Ebay

[Matt45]

I understood that the alarm bleep on locking/unlocking was switched off at the factory but you can have it turned back on by a code change. The only way to test the alarm works is to lock the car with the window open and then after waiting about 30 secs for the alarm to set, put your arm inside through the open window and trigger the alarm by movement. Or have I got the wrong end of this thread?

[television]

I understood that the alarm bleep on locking/unlocking was switched off at the factory but you can have it turned back on by a code change. The only way to test the alarm works is to lock the car with the window open and then after waiting about 30 secs for the alarm to set, put your arm inside through the open window and trigger the alarm by movement. Or have I got the wrong end of this thread?

I think that there are laws in some countries that forbid it, mine is silent unless you set it off

[Matt45]

I was once told that some alrms can be recognised by thieves by their sound/tone and give the thief a better chance of breaking into your car, so they were switched to silent. My Audis were just that way wereas my wifes old VW with retro-fit alarm used to beep on lock and unlock. Sounds a bit far fetched to me but who knows. Think you might be right on the legality of alarm noises in some countries but I don't believe the UK is one with an issue on this.

[KillerHERTZ]

On modern Mercs its known as the Netherlands Setting and can be activated with Star IIRC.

Example (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R29JgE6cviY)

[television]

I was once told that some alrms can be recognised by thieves by their sound/tone and give the thief a better chance of breaking into your car, so they were switched to silent. My Audis were just that way wereas my wifes old VW with retro-fit alarm used to beep on lock and unlock. Sounds a bit far fetched to me but who knows. Think you might be right on the legality of alarm noises in some countries but I don't believe the UK is one with an issue on this.

Matt my mail box is full up, I have sent Email with 3 pics not easy to take as it fits in the passenger seat and I cant move the car today. there are only 2 screws each side.

[KillerHERTZ]

Found this:


For modern Mercs up to 2005+ eg a W203:

Go to Programs
- Locate the Rear SAM Program
- Locate Body
- Select Netherlands
- Save



The only downside is that you will lose the PANIC mode if its an American car - PANIC mode is for Americans to press should there local Burger joint be closed :D;)

[mykaitch]

My w210 doesnt make a noise just the indicators flash but the build code lists an alarm and immobiliser...

The alarm problem only affects pre-99 cars. Until then they all had an imbobiliser, but for insurance (I found) they wanted Thatcham 1 alarm. As somebody pointed out, the MB alarm fits under the rear seat, near the battery. My slot was empty. After my SIGMA alarm was fitted, then I got a beep when I armed it. What I was trying to say was that I tried to test the alarm to see what noise it made, and it didn't.

I was just wondering if there are other cars out there owned by people who happily think they have an alarm, but don't.

[maddog]

Shop around not all insurers require cat 1 alarm AFAIK the standard MB alarms arent cat 1 anyhow

Many insurers wanted me to fit a tracker but i just found one that didnt