jgrooms

I have a 1997 ES300 and sometimes if I don't lock the doors the alarm will go off by itself. It can take anywhere from 5 minutes to
4 hours and sometimes it doesn't go off at all. I know it's not being caused by someone else because it happens at various locations around town but most often when the car is in my garage.

I took it to my Lexus dealer and they said they can't find anything wrong. They also said they have never heard of this kind of
thing happening. I asked them if they couldn't fix it could they disable the alarm -- they said that wasn't possible.

Has anyone else had this problem? What was your solution?

Thank you,

John

pops

Disconect the ecu.I bet you have a bad lock accuator on one of the doors see it all the time

jgrooms

Thank you for the reply pops,

I have a few follow-up questions:

What is the ecu? How do I disconnect it? Will disconnecting it disable the alarm and/or automatic door locks?

You said you see this all the time, would this be considered a manufacturer defect? The car is 1000 miles out of the 50k warranty, should I ask the dealer to fix it for free or for a reduced rate?

Thanks again - John

pops

Not a defect, you have to remember that on a dealer level we see 150 -200 cars a day in the service dept. some dealers are not as big and do not see a lot of strange problems.If the dealer has made a repair attempt under warr. and you have been a loyal customer the dealer should fix it under a good will.
It is the teft deterant ecu (or computer).

jgrooms

According to my Lexus dealer here in Orlando they claimed to have checked the door accuators and the ecu and did not find a problem.

The thing I don't understand is that the alarm only goes off when it is NOT set.

Unfortunately there is only one Lexus dealer in the Central Florida area so I can't even get a second opinion.

What also bothers me is the fact that I'm going to be really upset the next time the alarm goes off after having paid a hefty diagnosis fee for a problem that apparently can't be found (and therefore fixed).

CPerez100

as you know the alarm sets in 30 seconds by itself. Mine used to set in 30. 60 seconds or 1, 2 hours. Or sometimes did not at all. I checked everything and it seems okay, BUT check the switch when you closed the door. There is a PIN when is push the light turn off (interior light), if you let it loose it the light turns on. Well.. take that pin out.. it only has 2 screws and clean it.

I did in mine and it works perfect now.

Try it and let us know

Carlos

lextek

Key unlock warning switch, located on back of the door handle, best bet to replace the one used most often (drivers door handle)


Lextek