Alarm/Electrical Issues

[Jebus T Jones]

I have looked through most of the posts having to do with the alarm randomly going off. None, however, seem to have all the weird associated electrical problems I'm having, so let me describe what is going on.

Alarm goes off, I hit the unlock button on the key fob and it stops the alarm. As expected. I go out to the car, it's night, and the lights are on and the rear wiper is going back and forth. Upon getting in the drivers seat, I can hear a rapid clicking coming from the drivers side dash. I put the key in the ignition, turn it to accessories, the clicking stops and the rear wiper resets to off position and stops. I can start the vehicle fine. I turn the vehicle off and remove the key, the clicking comes back and the wiper starts going again.

This has happened twice now. After the first time I disconnected the battery and left it overnight so the alarm wouldn't sound. Reconnected in the morning and everything seemed fine, had no issues until this evening and it went off again with the same wiper going/clicking. I also noticed that the driver side window was functioning with the key out of the ignition and the door open. Which I believe should not happen.

I went to the local auto store and they ran their scanner on the battery/starter/alternator and that all checked out.

I'm clueless, hopeful someone here is not.

Thanks.

 

[SocalSam]

Does red alarm monitor light on center console flash with key off? If yes, immobilizer system still works. Car starts also confirms good alarm system. Alarm sound you are hearing the same as panic mode which is repeating horn sound?? If so, something is triggering panic. Rear wiper is also a clue that the issue is in the rear of the car. Here is where my T4R specific knowledge goes bad. You could have bad FOB receiver. If panic mode horn and rear wiper are CANBUS operated, look for signal acquisition module that converts command signal to operating signal. There is such a module located in the rear hatch. FOB receiver is located in the driver's side rear pillar behind the trim. I would look at the rear hatch module first as the window seal can leak. Disconnect the module and see if the symptoms go away. Also try disconnecting FOB receiver connector.

 

[ArthurKotb]

Did the car ever have (or still has) a remote starter system?

 

[Jebus T Jones]

Does red alarm monitor light on center console flash with key off? If yes, immobilizer system still works. Car starts also confirms good alarm system. Alarm sound you are hearing the same as panic mode which is repeating horn sound?? If so, something is triggering panic. Rear wiper is also a clue that the issue is in the rear of the car. Here is where my T4R specific knowledge goes bad. You could have bad FOB receiver. If panic mode horn and rear wiper are CANBUS operated, look for signal acquisition module that converts command signal to operating signal. There is such a module located in the rear hatch. FOB receiver is located in the driver's side rear pillar behind the trim. I would look at the rear hatch module first as the window seal can leak. Disconnect the module and see if the symptoms go away. Also try disconnecting FOB receiver connector.

Immobilizer light still works with the key out. And the alarm sound is the panic mode going off. I ended up taking it to a shop, they said they found water intrusion into the drivers side fuse box under the dash. They replaced it, cost 2k, and it just went off again. They have a warranty on service so I am going to take it back. I will suggest the rear hatch module to them because the rear window seal is definitely bad. I have a replacement on order.

 

[Jebus T Jones]

Did the car ever have (or still has) a remote starter system?

Not to my knowledge.

 

[ArthurKotb]

I replaced both of the seals on the rear hatch. It's pretty easy to do and now I don't get that exhaust, rotten egg smell in the cabin.

Water in the electrics will do all sorts of bad things, like a poor ground. You must have a leak around the windshield. I had a Plymouth that leaked around the wiper post, dripped on my right foot with every rain.

Good luck with the warranty service.

 

[SocalSam]

Immobilizer light still works with the key out. And the alarm sound is the panic mode going off. I ended up taking it to a shop, they said they found water intrusion into the drivers side fuse box under the dash. They replaced it, cost 2k, and it just went off again. They have a warranty on service so I am going to take it back. I will suggest the rear hatch module to them because the rear window seal is definitely bad. I have a replacement on order.

$2k is a lot of money to chase. Fuse box swap was never going to solve your issues. Giving latitude for your physical health, I was hoping you would DIY troubleshoot. You should still do that before ordering parts.