Lost the connection between key remote and central locking. Given up on that one, but the alarm light on the dash is still flashing, even though I managed to silence the thing [don't really know how]. Would like to stop this, but where on earth is the alarm module so I can disconnect it?
Technical Marea Alarm
- Thread starter schwalbe
- Start date
Currently reading:
Technical Marea Alarm
With the standard fit alarm, open the fusebox under the steering wheel, and insert the alarm deactivation key (round security type) into the lock near the top of the fuse box (normally under a rubber/plastic cover). Turn the key, and remove.
This will turn the alarm off.
This will turn the alarm off.
As it is a mechanical "lock" type switch, it must have wires going to the back of it that could be "adapted" in order to deactivate the alarm.
Very poor design, and easy for theives to deactivate then, but it could be very helpful if you have lost your key, and want to turn the alarm off.
With the ignition off, I would suggest removing the alarm on/off "switch", and have a look at the terminals on the back - make a note of the wire positions. Then remove the wires and buzz out the switch in the "on" position, then you should be able to make an educated guess as to the pins which would be connected if it was in the "off" position, and thus you can re-attach the wires in a new order to simulate it actually being turned "off".
Or if you are lucky, and Fiat have not spent much money on the alarm system, then there might just be one wire in and one out that are either connected or disconnected by the switch.
Deactivating the alarm still leaves the central locking working, but without the alarm beeps.
Very poor design, and easy for theives to deactivate then, but it could be very helpful if you have lost your key, and want to turn the alarm off.
With the ignition off, I would suggest removing the alarm on/off "switch", and have a look at the terminals on the back - make a note of the wire positions. Then remove the wires and buzz out the switch in the "on" position, then you should be able to make an educated guess as to the pins which would be connected if it was in the "off" position, and thus you can re-attach the wires in a new order to simulate it actually being turned "off".
Or if you are lucky, and Fiat have not spent much money on the alarm system, then there might just be one wire in and one out that are either connected or disconnected by the switch.
Deactivating the alarm still leaves the central locking working, but without the alarm beeps.
What I guess Burnell means is what if the keyswitch is not present, not just that you have lost the key. The handbook says this is not fitted for UK models: certainly it's not there on mine. If I can find the module I can maybe disconnect it and if lucky reset the alarm. I don't want to disconnect the battery as I don't have the radio codes.
Mine is a 1997 RHD UK Marea HLX with the factory fit alarm, and the handbook (p.51) describes it's function.
But, I have just checked in the workshop manual, and you are correct. The emergency deativation key was not offered on UK models after Jan 2008.
I guess that would mean that you would have to remove the alarm control module.
According to the workshop manual, to do this you would need to jack up the car and remove the front left wheel (passenger side on a RHD car). Then remove the front section of the wheel arch liner. Then you are able to remove the rear section of the wheel arch liner to expose the alarm control module.
Then you could unplug it, and completely remove the module.
The siren is integrated into the alarm control module.
But, I have just checked in the workshop manual, and you are correct. The emergency deativation key was not offered on UK models after Jan 2008.
I guess that would mean that you would have to remove the alarm control module.
According to the workshop manual, to do this you would need to jack up the car and remove the front left wheel (passenger side on a RHD car). Then remove the front section of the wheel arch liner. Then you are able to remove the rear section of the wheel arch liner to expose the alarm control module.
Then you could unplug it, and completely remove the module.
The siren is integrated into the alarm control module.
in the uk only mark1 models came with alarm keys, on mark2 models the switch is not in the fusebox, so although Marea147's suggestion would work, it can not be done on mk2 models.
does the LED on the remote still work?
have you tried the other remote?
have you tried programming either remote into the alarm using the 4 digit remote code?
or like many poeple do you only have 1 broken remote and no remote codes
does the LED on the remote still work?
have you tried the other remote?
have you tried programming either remote into the alarm using the 4 digit remote code?
or like many poeple do you only have 1 broken remote and no remote codes
I know this is an old thread...
But, it is exactly the same situation I find myself in.
A few weeks ago the remote key on the Marea stopped working. Unfortunately the car was locked, so I had to manually open it and it set the alarm off. Eventually the siren stopped and I've been able to manually open it and drive it OK, but the dashboard red alarm LED is constantly flashing.
I checked the fob and the solder on the microswitch was broken. I sent it to one of the ebay repairers who tested the key and said the whole thing was dead and he couldn't do anything with it. Fair enough.
I bit the bullet and ordered a new key from Fiat. It duly arrived I took it with my red key as requested by the service desk. They got the new key cut and opening and starting the car. But they could not get the new remote key to work the central locking and alarm. They suggested the head reader unit wasn't working. After a discussion we left it at that...
But on reading the various posts about key codes and programming, it dawned on me that I have the two original key codes for my car - it has all the original stuff. Yet the Fiat garage didn't ask me to bring these, only the red key. I've got no idea what they did if they didn't use these to unlock the system...I only realised after reading the threads on here that the codes 'unlocked' the system.
I used my codes on my system and they worked and I got the flashing green LED. At the same time pressing the button on my new remote. It hasn't worked though...
My questions are;
Should coding a new remote to the system take a lot of attempts or should it be a quick job??
Also is the fact the alarm is still activated possibly preventing me from adding a new remote to the system???
But, it is exactly the same situation I find myself in.
A few weeks ago the remote key on the Marea stopped working. Unfortunately the car was locked, so I had to manually open it and it set the alarm off. Eventually the siren stopped and I've been able to manually open it and drive it OK, but the dashboard red alarm LED is constantly flashing.
I checked the fob and the solder on the microswitch was broken. I sent it to one of the ebay repairers who tested the key and said the whole thing was dead and he couldn't do anything with it. Fair enough.
I bit the bullet and ordered a new key from Fiat. It duly arrived I took it with my red key as requested by the service desk. They got the new key cut and opening and starting the car. But they could not get the new remote key to work the central locking and alarm. They suggested the head reader unit wasn't working. After a discussion we left it at that...
But on reading the various posts about key codes and programming, it dawned on me that I have the two original key codes for my car - it has all the original stuff. Yet the Fiat garage didn't ask me to bring these, only the red key. I've got no idea what they did if they didn't use these to unlock the system...I only realised after reading the threads on here that the codes 'unlocked' the system.
I used my codes on my system and they worked and I got the flashing green LED. At the same time pressing the button on my new remote. It hasn't worked though...
My questions are;
Should coding a new remote to the system take a lot of attempts or should it be a quick job??
Also is the fact the alarm is still activated possibly preventing me from adding a new remote to the system???
Did you get the old remote back? I've had my runs with the same microswitch.
Usually the solder joints fail and crud collects inside the switch, I resoldered and soaked it in contact cleaner and it has been good since.
Wierd thing is that almost every place lists the remote needing two 2016 batteries. Mine wont work at all with them, but it is fine with single 2032.
Maybe the guy made same mistake?
I assume you still have the key for the alarm on/off switch?
Cycle it with doors closed, dont open the doors and retry?
Also as only the remote part was broken, the key still works, you could have swapped the circuitboard in it instead of cutting the key.
One thing to note is that the remote central locking still works when the alarm is switched off from the fusebox, it is only little slower (you need to keep the button pressed, not just quick tap like with alarm on). Not sure about programming as Ive never got mine to accept the 4 digit code (previous ownerd ordered new key with remote as one of old one had broken microswitch, it was not programmed when I got the car).
Usually the solder joints fail and crud collects inside the switch, I resoldered and soaked it in contact cleaner and it has been good since.
Wierd thing is that almost every place lists the remote needing two 2016 batteries. Mine wont work at all with them, but it is fine with single 2032.
Maybe the guy made same mistake?
I assume you still have the key for the alarm on/off switch?
Cycle it with doors closed, dont open the doors and retry?
Also as only the remote part was broken, the key still works, you could have swapped the circuitboard in it instead of cutting the key.
One thing to note is that the remote central locking still works when the alarm is switched off from the fusebox, it is only little slower (you need to keep the button pressed, not just quick tap like with alarm on). Not sure about programming as Ive never got mine to accept the 4 digit code (previous ownerd ordered new key with remote as one of old one had broken microswitch, it was not programmed when I got the car).
Last edited:
