S60 Electrics: Can I lock the car using the remote, without setting alarm?

[Andy625]

We have two S60's, a 2002 & a 2003. On both cars the alarm battery has gone. On the first one that went, we found that if the car was locked using the remote, the alarm drained the car battery over a period of time, so we currently lock them using the keys so that the alarm is not turned on.

I'd like to try and find a way of locking the car with the remote, but without arming the alarm, as it's difficult finding the keyhole in the dark. I've tried searching the forum and found that if you take out fuse (no.38) it'll disable the alarm, but if I do this, will I be able to lock the car using the remote without problems?

[wise old monkey]

remove the fuse, the car will lock and act link theres nothing wrong, but...... get the alarm battery replaced as your insurance wont cover you if its found faulty if you claim.
the battery is only £6.90 delivered

[Theeggman]

On our XC70 we pulled the fuse to disable the duff siren unit (it also knocked out the sunroof as well) we could lock the car with the remote and the alarm still functioned but only flashers no siren. The red led on the dash still operates with the fuse out.
Hope this helps.

[Andy625]

Does that mean that the car is still trying to charge the duff alarm battery though? And could this drain the main battery, and had happened before with our car?

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Andy625

Does that mean that the car is still trying to charge the duff alarm battery though? And could this drain the main battery, and had happened before with our car?

Do a proper parasitic drain test then you'll see the effect of fuse removal and put your mind at ease.

[Brendan W]

Originally Posted by Andy625

Does that mean that the car is still trying to charge the duff alarm battery though? And could this drain the main battery, and had happened before with our car?

The UEM still tries to see the siren and will post a DTC ( code) like UEM0004 when it can't find it because the fuse is out, isolating it. You will see an Alarm Service Required message at each start up provided the car was locked with the remote.

[Andy625]

So would I be right in thinking that by taking the fuse out, all you're effectively doing is silencing the siren. All the electronics behind it is still powered up?

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Andy625

So would I be right in thinking that by taking the fuse out, all you're effectively doing is silencing the siren. All the electronics behind it is still powered up?

Basically yes but the electronics behind it isn't usually the cause of any over spec drain.
The only way to truly know what is and isn't a drain though is to do a drain test.

You could have had your definitive answer by now.

[Simon Jones]

You've removed the 12v supply to the siren, but if the internal battery was still in good condition (and chances are it will be knackered) the siren would continue to sound in the event of activation. The whole point of the internal battery is that the alarm would still function if someone broke in and interrupted the supply.

[Brendan W]

Typically people pull the fuse to stop random activations in the wee hours. Even with the fuse out and a duff battery the siren can do as Simon suggested and try it's best to squawk. This leads to mystery croaking appearing to come from the ecu box which is just above the siren.