[Mk2] [NA] Clifford alarm problems.

[BALDYMONSTER]

UK N/A rev2 1993.

Clifford alarm fitted from when I bought it about 6 months ago.

I've had problems with this from day one, the main one being that the standard alarm used to go off on occasion when I disarmed it via the Clifford remote and wouldn't stop or start.

The RAC fixed the non starting problem by re earthing the starter relay so the standard alarm would stop and it would start.

So the car would blow the horn in the engine bay but stop and then consequently start when I put the key in the ignition and start the car.

I got so pi$$ed off with the standard alarm going off when I disarmed it with the Clifford remote I removed and disconnected the engine bay standard horn but at times I can still hear the "clicking" of what sounds like a relay in the rear right hand side!

But now the thing has started constantly locking and unlocking the doors when I drive and to the point as soon as I disarm the Clifford system it unlocks and then instantly locks the doors again!

I have sprayed wd40 in both the door locks, pin senders and lock mechanism itself but still it goes on and is getting worse.

Should I get it looked at or get it ripped out and fit a new system, bearing in mind that the Clifford system it has is a cracker but seems to have been put in by a complete clown?

[Ryan S]

Remove it, it's not worth the hassle, chances are it's nearly as old as the car and completely gubbed. I had the problems with a clifford and it really wasn't worth the hassle.

[BALDYMONSTER]

^Tbh I tend to agree.

[rev3gtturbo]

...

But now the thing has started constantly locking and unlocking the doors ...

I had that develop on an old 4 door saloon car with no alarm or immobiliser on it. Don't remember if it was a bad earth or a short, but in the end it burned out the door lock motors in all the doors. Get it fixed sooner rather than later to keep the cost down.

Suggest you take it to one of the MR2 specialist mechanics that knows the electrics etc or an auto electrician.

[Ryan S]

^Tbh I tend to agree.

Honestly man, mine played havoc with the starter motor and cost aside the hassle it caused me just was 't worth it, frustratingly the alarm was absolutely amazing when it was armed but in all honesty a cheap ebay job could have done the same and given me less grief!

[thomp1983]

iirc on a rev 2 the standard alarm ecu is behind the drivers b pillar trim, that's likely the clicking you can hear. It's possible the quarterlight window leaks and has got in the standard alarm ecu

[BALDYMONSTER]

iirc on a rev 2 the standard alarm ecu is behind the drivers b pillar trim, that's likely the clicking you can hear. It's possible the quarterlight window leaks and has got in the standard alarm ecu

What's it like to get to and remove so Ivan check it and dry it out?

[thomp1983]

Just a couple of fixings, unscrew the engine bay release handle surround the rest of the panel pulls free, then the alarm ecu is bolted in place, or at least it is on my rev2 turbo chassis

[BALDYMONSTER]

Thanks I'll give that a go.

[BALDYMONSTER]

Ok, tomorrow I'm going to fit a new rear brake pipe, fit new starter (new to me, got it 2nd hand for a fiver), take out the standard alarm ecu and fit uprated bulbs.

As far as the standard alarm ecu goes, can I just remove it or should I just make sure it's dry?

[thomp1983]

If you remove it completely i suspect you'll lose your central locking

[BALDYMONSTER]

New starter relay, checked the alarm ecu and its bone dry.

Doors locking and unlocking like crazy.

I just want this alarm out now as it's obviously xxxxx.

Does anyone have a rough idea how much it would cost to get it removed by an auto spark?

[thomp1983]

It's not necessarily the alarm, one of the door switches may have failed or the wiring loom between the doors can break.

As for how much to remove it all id guess around £200 it's probably 3/4 hours work if they don't know the car

[rev3gtturbo]

How much it costs to remove the alarm depends on whether you just want it deactivated or completely removed, and also where it is done (your place or their place).

I had a fully working Clifford alarm completely removed for about 75 quid a couple of years ago because the installation certificate got lost by the previous owner.
(It was going to cost £150 to get it re-certified so I decided to have it replaced by something new that was acceptable to the insurance company).