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MG MGF Technical - Alarm, Security & the neigbours....

Hi, I am brand new to MGFs although in the past
I have owned a selection of midgets, Sprites and an
MGA

My 1996 MGF is brilliant, but on earth does one "detune" the sensitivity of the alarm system ?

It seems that just sparrows flying over the car (with the soft top up) will set it off.

Have there been any mods or updates to the alarm system ?

cheers Pete
Pete

Pete, Monmouthshire, peter@caldicot888.fsnet.co.uk
Hi, I am brand new to MGFs although in the past
I have owned a selection of Midgets, Sprites and an
MGA

My 1996 MGF is brilliant, but on earth does one "detune" the sensitivity of the alarm system ?

It seems that just sparrows flying over the car (with the soft top up) will set it off.

Have there been any mods or updates to the alarm system ?

cheers Pete (the e-mail address came out wrong the first time)
Pete

The standard alarm system on the F is a microwave unit that is situated behind the T bar between the two seats. There should be a means of increasing and decreasing the sensitivity on the unit. Im pretty sure that if you look in the archives you will find more informaiton.
Praveen
Praveen

Pete,

The sensitivity of the alarm is only adjustable by use of a TestBook computer, all of which are owned by MGR dealers. Short and curlies?! Take it to a dealer. In the meantime just lock it using one bleep, I think this just sets the perimeter alarm but not the volumetric alarm system.

HTH

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Using the fob to set the alarm - sets the alarm, the double blip adds the deadlock.

To set the immobiliser without alarm use the key in the lock only.(As per handbook instructions for the *F*)

Just check that where the car is parked that there are no outside influences such as a nearby microwave oven - yes seriously a microwave oven can ste the alarm ringing, I now never leave the *F* in the drive under the kitchen window, it is OK back or forward ten feet. Another one that sets off alarms is a mobile phone left in the car - evidently when it ranges it sends a signal the can activate the alarm.

Other than that the ecu for the alarm which incidently is behind the radio the bit in the T-bar is the sensor can be adjusted as Bruce said by any dealer with Testbook.

Ted
Ted Newman

Thanks for the correction Ted,

I knew there was some way you could lock the car without setting the volumetric alarm.

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Bruce

Pure fluke that I knew the key locking thing! I had to change over the facia yesterday and so checked the security procedure for setting the radio code to 'off' and at the same time read that:-)

Ted
Ted Newman

>Just check that where the car is parked that there are no outside influences such as a nearby microwave oven<

Well that’s just solved a mystery for me. I was staying in a hotel in France and the alarm kept going off. It had never done that before or since. Just couldn’t work out why.

It was parked outside the kitchen window. Thanks Ted.

Cheers

Mike
Michael Williams

Gents, thanks for the feedback, The F was parked
quite close to next door's kitchen and unless they use their microwave at 4am it's probably something else....

I have noticed the footwell and mirror lights doing strange things on occassion as well. As seems liked through a 15 second timer, however the system does seem easy to confuse....

cheers Pete.
Pete

Door locks contain the switch to activate the interior lights when a door is opened. The connection here is clear as a faulty switch when the system is armed will be seen as an attack and the alarm will sound.

Rog
Roger Parker

Pete,

Have a look at http://www.mgfcar.de/door_slot/index.htm as this will show you the ins & outs of changing the door lock.

I suffered from a similar problem and the only solution on my 'N' reg was to replace the lock. Not too expensive....the lock was about £60, but you will need two other items as the electical connector design has changed.

These are part numbers
YPC10069
AFU3791

Or maybe strip it right down and replace the micro switches?

Tony
Tony

Dieter will tell you where to get the microswitches, alternativly a strip down and clean might work OK.
If you have a younger car then you will need the other lock (ypc 000080?) If you go to the dealer and they hook up the Testbook (will cost 50-60!!!) then they will be able to tell you the reasons for the alarm going off the last few times- OTOH it would cost you the same to replace both door locks as it would to diagnose which door is causing the fault!!
Does the light occasionaly come on when you are driving- this would be a good indicator.
Note: The failure mode of my door catch mech (the one in the pictures!) was to have interor light, rather than the other way around.
Also: the light should stay on when the door is closed for about 30sec- or when you put the key in the ignition, The 214 used to switch the light off immediatly if the engine had just been stopped- I have not noticed this in the F yet.

Will
Will Munns

Have you tried turning your air vents to the off position, My alarm used to go off unexpectedly at night, then a dealer at Rover suggested I shut the air vent down at night, as sometime slight air pressure drop can cause the alarm to go off.
Jason

The Air pressure is not measured in the F - could you imagine testing the pressure as wind buffets the hood about, snake oil i'm afraid. The most lightly is a door mech if the car is old, or over sensitive sensor if the car is new. If under warrenty then take it back as a fault and get them to slap the testbook on it.

Will
Will Munns

This thread was discussed between 24/03/2002 and 25/03/2002

MG MGF Technical index

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