Why does my car alarm keep going off?

Although car alarms are there to protect your vehicle, few things are more annoying than the sound of an incessant alarm – especially during the night.

Car alarms should never be ignored, as they might be warning you that someone is trying to steal your vehicle. However, car alarms can sometimes be triggered for reasons other than those intended by the manufacturer.

In this guide, we will look at the reasons why a car alarm may repeatedly sound. We’ll also explain how to deactivate your car alarm, how to fix a persistent alarm – and the process to follow for reporting a nuisance car alarm near your home.

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Reasons why your car alarm might be going off

A faulty system, triggered by a faulty sensor or wiring.
Environmental factors such as wind, rain or even passing vehicles. /li>
Open windows can allow an insect to get into the vehicle, which may trigger the alarm.
Key fob issues.
Electrical issues such as a weak battery or loose connections.

Why does my car alarm keep going off at night?

Here are a few potential explanations for why your car alarm may be constantly sounding:

If the weather conditions are consistently intense, this may repeatedly trigger the alarm.
You might also be parked in a location where there is lots of traffic or footfall. (This will produce vibrations that may trigger the alarm.)
Nocturnal animals such as cats and raccoons might also walk on your car, which may trigger the alarm.
Electrical faults or a key fob interference (which may be caused by smartphones or other electronic devices) can also cause your car alarm to go off.
An attempted break-in may also trigger the alarm (depending on how secure your car is). These are more common during the night.

You should also be aware that if your car alarm is faulty, it could invalidate your insurance in the event of a claim.

How to turn off your car alarm

The process for switching off your car alarm will vary depending on the type of alarm system in your car. It can also differ depending on the make, model and age of the vehicle.

Some car keys have built-in remotes, which can allow you to turn off the alarm by unlocking the driver’s side door with the key.
Some cars also have a button on the dashboard marked with the word ‘Off’, which deactivates the alarm system.

Should these methods fail, check your car manual. This document should have specific instructions about how to turn the alarm off. If the problem persists, you might have to disconnect the battery to reset the system, but this should only be treated as a last resort.

How to fix a persistent car alarm

If your car alarm is sounding persistently, this can cause a nuisance for you and your neighbours.

However, the noise might also be deemed a statutory nuisance by your local council. If this happens, you will be served an abatement notice, requesting you to resolve the noise issue. (If you fail to comply with an abatement notice, you may be prosecuted and fined.)

Therefore, if your alarm is consistently being triggered, you should take your car to a mechanic. If the car is fairly new and the alarm was factory fitted, the repairs might be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

On the other hand, if the alarm was fitted by you (or a non-approved mechanic), your warranty might be void.

Will car alarms eventually stop?

In modern vehicles, car alarms will normally turn off after less than 20 minutes. However, older car alarms may continue to sound for a day or even longer (sometimes until the owner turns it off).

Can you report a constant car alarm?

You can report a constant car alarm as a nuisance. However, it’s best to contact your neighbour first. If they do not take the appropriate action (or if you are unable to find the car’s owner), contact the Environmental Health team at your local council and they will take action to resolve the matter.