I did not know we had this feature

[SCP440]

Today I was sitting in the car waiting for the wife while she did the shopping, I accidently locked the car with the button on the key as I got the keys out of my pocket to put the radio on. When she returned I went too hit the unlock button by the handbrake and by mistake hit the lock button. The alarm went off. Is this a panic alarm?

When we got home I did it again intentionally and it happens every time.

I had a look in the manual and there is no mention of this feature or did I miss it?

[suzublu]

Have you got a perimetric alarm fitted on the roof?

[marinabrian]

You are setting the alarm when you lock it with the keyfob, when you then unlock it with the button, it's seen as a alarm trigger just as if someone had broken a window, reached in an pressed the console unlock.

In short, no it's not a panic alarm

Brian

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by SCP440

Today I was sitting in the car ... I accidently locked the car with the button on the key ...

What happened Steve is that you "superlocked" the car by using the key fob buttons. This should never be done when anyone is inside the car because it disables not only the exterior door handles but the interior releases as well. I appreciate that it was an accident on this occasion and it's useful that you've highlighted this as an important safety note to everyone.

If someone inside the car wishes to feel more secure, the button on the centre console should be used as this operates conventional central locking only when the interior door releases will remain active.

Simon

[FrattonEnder]

Originally Posted by SD1too

What happened Steve is that you "superlocked" the car by using the key fob buttons. This should never be done when anyone is inside the car because it disables not only the exterior door handles but the interior releases as well. I appreciate that it was an accident on this occasion and it's useful that you've highlighted this as an important safety note to everyone.

If someone inside the car wishes to feel more secure, the button on the centre console should be used as this operates conventional central locking only when the interior door releases will remain active.

Simon

Is that a bit like Ford's 'deadlocking' then? Two clicks on the remote lock and all handles are disabled inside.

[marinabrian]

Originally Posted by SD1too

What happened Steve is that you "superlocked" the car by using the key fob buttons. This should never be done when anyone is inside the car because it disables not only the exterior door handles but the interior releases as well. I appreciate that it was an accident on this occasion and it's useful that you've highlighted this as an important safety note to everyone.

If someone inside the car wishes to feel more secure, the button on the centre console should be used as this operates conventional central locking only when the interior door releases will remain active.

Simon

Steve's car is fitted with a GM604 variant BCU Simon, this means the lock unlock button on the centre console is a simple momentary switch, and not the "rocker" type used in early (pre 2002) cars.

Cars fitted with the later BCU type, the lock button on the key needs to be pressed twice to activate superlocking, a very deliberate action which is almost impossible to replicate accidentally.


As Steve had simply locked the car with the key, and not superlocked it, this process armed the alarm, and as his car won't be likely to be fitted with an ultrasonic perimetric sensor, the act of attempting to unlock using the centre console button is seen as a break in attempt.

Hopefully this clarifies the differences between the early and late BCU.

Brian

[Beena wild]

wife returning, shopping, panic, alarm - nothing new here then