Hi, I recently had my entire family wake up to my C2S' horn blaring at 2:30 am on superbowl sunday night . Jumping out of bed, my first thought was that maybe someone is vandalizing or trying to break in. After getting to the driveway, I realize that there was nothing out of the ordinary except for the horn. I tried to lock/unlock the car, disable the alarm with the key/ even turned the engine on. I quickly went to the fuse box and tried to fine the fuse for the horn. After looking at the attached fuse assignment sheet, I tried three fuses and no luck. I finally popped the hood and disconnected the battery. Luckily my neighbors either didn't wake up or were somehow patient enough not come out and complain.

Next day I re-connected the battery and the horn was on but stopped once I unlocked the car with the key. I then tried to place the fuses in the appropriate order. I tried to use the fuse assignment sheet that came with the car but I noticed that not all applied to my car and that I couldn't tell which three I had pulled out. The car wouldn't turn on.

Long story short, after having the folks at manhattan motorcars take a look, I was told that a latch for the hood was the problem and turned the alarm on. They told that they had placed the fuses correctly and that I would be charged an hour's worth of service for re-programing the car (189).

I'm thrilled to not have done any real damage to my car's electrical system but I'm still a bit annoyed that I would be stuck with a bill for something that I feel should be covered under warranty.

Am I out of line thinking this?

thanks in advance

Mark

 

You shouldn't be charged anything if your vehicle is under warranty (defective hood latch triggering alarm). Speak with Service Advisor or manager.

Taking the fuses out shouldn't trigger a reprogramming..it is probably related to the faulty latch replacement then alarm program reset to test the operation. You were just doing what was necessary to shut the F*&%$ing alarm off!! Give them enough grief and poof..no charge

 

Glad to hear they found the problem. Couple of comments:

1) When alarm is triggered, horn stops after about 3 minutes. I'm sure 3 minutes seems like an eternity at 2:30 am but you could have waited it out - I've had this happen to me.
2) I'm surprised that you were able to start the car after the alarm was triggered but then maybe there isn't an interlock feature that most aftermarket alarms have.

 

So, did they replace the latch or what? Seems like that should have been a warranty thing. I don't get it.

 

Yea they replaced the latch... I'm going over to pick it up now and make my case for not having to pay.

The horn was on for more than 10 minutes before I managed to disconnect the battery.

Thanks for letting me know that I'm in the right. Will later this evening.

 

Update... The service advisor decided to take care of it under warranty. I'll tip him well.

 

and in the long run it will pay off for them

 

whoa, do you guys really tip service people at dealership? Seriously, i've never considered this, am i in the wrong?

 

Yes!!!

 

Never heard of that or seen it either. I think it is regional. I'm not even sure it would go over so well here; those people are in a professional salaried position - they don't work for tips. It might seem condescending.

Anyone in GA ever tip dealer service?

 

I bought 2 Porsches with the same dealer and send my cars for services, up grade, etc. I never tip anyone there but I brought them some nice wines for X'mas. I am happy to see them and they are they.

DL

 

The last time I tipped at the dealership was when I touted a horse in the fifth at Saratoga..... Horse lost... But the thought is what counted...

I usually take a dozen donuts to the guys in service when I drop off the car.

 

Hell no!

 

So I'm also curious how you were able to start the car (turn engine on) with the alarm system going. Is that really what happened, or did you just try to start the car (turn the key in the ignition) and the car did not fire up?

Did they explain why the horn rang for 30 mins? I'd expect it to give up after the 3 or so minutes the law says the maximum is. At the rate it was going, it would eventually run the battery down and then the car would also have needed to be reprogrammed.

 

The horn stayed even after I unlocked the car and the engine DID start. The horn stayed for about 10-12 mins until I disconnected the battery.
I was told that the latch for the hood was the cause. Go figure.