De-activating the Alarm

Had our first trip out in our Auto- Sleeper Burford this weekend and managed to sort out most problems. We did make a phone call to dealer to sort out why the fresh water was coming out as fast as I was putting it in!!! They had opened the valve to winterise the van so shutting that sorted that out. But we could not find a way of deactivating the alarm to allow us to go out and leave our dog in the van. Consulted the handbook which gave a clear description of where the switch should be located. This is in the lighting unit above the driver, but ours has a unit to hold your glasses not the alarm. We also called in at our local Merc dealers who suggested one click of the key fob, this did not work. they suggested just using the key to lock the doors, this did not work. You have all been very helpful in the past, has anyone found a solution to this problem as we don't like leaving the van unlocked while we eat out, as you are aware not all eating places allow dogs particularly in Wales. Thanks any suggestions would be gratefully received

Hi,
On our Bourton we press the key fob once to lock the van then press again to de activate movement within.

+1 Same with my alarm, once to lock and again within 30 sec to disable internal sensors.

I just press buttons in cab manually then lock habitation door with the key.

Thanks very much for that info will try it out and let you know the result.

Keith Coombe wrote:I just press buttons in cab manually then lock habitation door with the key.

Yep, that's what I do as well .  Or I use the lock/unlock switch on the cab panel and then exit and lock the hab door with the key. I think that sets the immobiliser as well?

Keith Coombe wrote:I just press buttons in cab manually then lock habitation door with the key.

Same method used here...

Interesting.

When on site with our Mercedes Malvern we always lock the van with the keyfob which does activate the alarm and then use the habitation door key to lock/unlock that door as necessary. This avoids the possibility of the system locking you out.

As we have never set off the alarm whilst in the van there can be no motion sensors on the alarm. This would indicate that those alarms with motion detectors are an aftersales fit and not part of the Mercedes installation.

That is a good point Peter. Ours doesn't have motion sensors either  . Other than the dogs that is 

Yes, mine is an aftermarket fitted extension alarm with motion sensors. The standard Merc alarm may not have them, though the handbook does mention motion sensors as well as the tow away alarm. The sensors might only apply to the van, not chassis cab versions. The immobiliser is set by removing the ignition key.

You may wish to be sure that whatever method you use only disables the internal motion sensors, not the other functions of the alarm such as doors, bonnet etc.

Otherwise, if you have informed your insurer that you have an alarm fitted, they are likely to have some clause in their weasel words, sorry terms, which will mean they will decline a claim for any break-in or theft occurring whilst the alarm is disabled.

Of course, depending on how big/ferocious your dogs are this may not be a problem!  

cheers
Roger

PS It may not be relevant to yours but on our Peugeot based Pollensa, there is a way of manually disabling the motion sensors which I forget, however apparently they disable themselves if they sense motion within a few minutes of the alarm being set.  I only know this because the last time we had it serviced, we were told the way to check if they are working was to set the alarm whilst hiding in the loo, wait several minutes then come out of the loo and move around the interior.

So if you can train the dogs to run around for a while before settling down when you leave them, this may do the trick

Hi, just tried the press key fob once and again within 30 seconds, but alarm went off. Peter is right because our merc dealer felt it was another system fitted rather than theirs. We have a Thatchem 2 alarm and immobiliser fitted I found out after checking paperwork. This must respond in a different way. Will have to try them cant see the wife leaving our dog behind every time we go away in the van.

your paperwork should have a certificate of installation for a Thatham alarm, with the make/model alarm fitted. Trace the manual?

Hi All, just returned from trip to Bristol, Baltic Wharf, this time. We have solved the issue by looking the driver's door with the key. This did not trigger the alarm so dog was safe and sound. We also found that the previous owners had not given us the key fob for the Thatcham alarm, so had to purchase another. I now have to try to get it linked into the alarm by counting a series of flashes!!!!! not looking forward to that. Dog and wife both very happy. Thanks again for all your useful tips, find the forum a very useful way of gaining information.

Hi Ours is an auto watch alarm, like most of the others on here press once and once again within 30 seconds, be aware though, if you use this method while you are inside the van it also deadlocks the doors and you need the fob in an emergency to unlock the doors (alternately jump out the windows, lol