This has happened a couple of times now on my 2010 Superb Estate.

 

The alarm siren started to sound while driving the first time a couple of weeks ago. I tried stopping and locking and unlocking the car but it continued to sound, then stop, then start again for a while until eventually it stopped and was OK.... Until today when it did the same thing.

 

Prior to this happening I'd had the alarm go off  at random a few times while the car was perked outside the house for no apparent reason.

 

I used to do about 30K miles a year until about 6 months ago and now the car only gets used a couple of times a week and I did wonder if it could be the battery going soft but the car always starts first time so unlikely.

 

Other possibilities I have considered are the backup batteries in the siren dieing (they were known to cause issues on older VAG cars) or water ingress on a sensor somewhere perhaps.

 

If anyone can offer an insight I'd be grateful.

Edited 7 December, 201510 yr by TyreTread

Do not underestimate the effects of a dying battery on a modern Skoda.

 

The MkII Octavia will display some very odd behavior that you would never think to associate with a dead battery.

 

When mine began to fail it would start the engine just fine.

 

Having the alarm sound whilst driving though does not sound battery related to me though.

 

Do the hazard lights flash too?

Thank you for the reply Silver1011.

 

I know that iffy batteries can bring up all sorts of issues on modern complex cars and I wondered if the recent relative lack of use was exacerbating the effects of an already old and probably tired battery. 

 

The hazards don't flash and there is no other issue while driving other than the alarm sounding several times, resetting and restarting. Embarrassing for sure but I'm concerned that its indicative of a larger problem.

Edited 8 December, 201510 yr by TyreTread

You could really do with a diagnostics scan.

 

It sounds more related to the backup battery for the alarm or the siren itself at fault.

 

If this is the case then a scan would show an error code relating to this.

I do wonder if its the backup battery. Older Audis certainly had an issue with the siren backup batteries which used to leak and cause the sirens to sound intermittently. It happened on my wife's car several years ago. A car which she still has and on which the siren is disabled.

 

I contacted a local forum member David 8 the other day about some other bits as he has access to VCDS so I'll give him a shout and see if we can arrange to check it out.

This time of year, if the car is only used intermittently, damp can get into some of the electrical connections and cause all sorts of odd things to happen. My Superb has occasionally done odd things with the electrics in damp cold conditions. When the car is warmed through they usually stop.

 

Moisture could also have corroded an earth connection somewhere and is causing an electrical current to find earth by an inappropriate path. When this happens an electrical part that is switched off can be supplied with current from another source. A scan might help, but sometimes it's a matter of trial and error, even on a modern car.

A good (and relatively easy) test for the siren...

 

Using Maxidot turn on the confirmation beeps (i.e. 2 beeps when you unlock the car, one beep when you lock it), no beeping would suggest a duff siren?

The Alarm Siren is in the Manufacturers Service Schedule for replacing at 5 years.

Luckily for most this is not required.

I just had my alarm siren replaced as it was going off at odd times (not when driving though). As the car had been in a couple of times before the used warranty ran out the dealer call them and said it was still under investigation so the warranty company stumped up to replace it. I think it was about £185 for the box.

This has happened a couple of times now on my 2010 Superb Estate.

 

The siren started to sound while driving the first time a couple of weeks ago. 

 

 

Look, you joined the police, its what happens

 

 

I used it on Friday and yesterday and it didn't go off at all. 

 

I suspect  it will be the siren but I'll see if a local chap can help with VCDS just to check. 

When my turbo was on the way out , it used to sound like the "wail" tone of a siren

Yesterday I set out in the car and a message appeared on the screen in very small letters which said (if I recall correctly) "LWS loading - Please wait."  It then took about 2 minutes before the Skoda logo appeared and it booted up. On another occasion the car didn't recognise the media option on the stereo.

 

I'm beginning to think this is a battery issue. Time to start pricing one up.

Big thanks to David8 who came over last night to check out my car using the VCDS software.

 

Unfortunately we didn't get very far as the car battery went flat very quickly - checked it out today and sure enough its not holding a full 14.4V and is dropping below 12V.

 

New battery obtained and fitted which has brought its own issues. I'll search the forum for the issues I've now got and start a new thread if necessary. 

Pleased to say the new battery has cleared the issue with the alarm going off but sadly not the EML coming on. However I now think I know the issue with that is the DPF pressure sensor.

 

Oddly just after I fitted my new battery my neighbours Merc started having the alarm going off - He'd been away for a month so I suggested he give the car a good run to charge the battery and lo and behold no more issues. Seems low voltage setting on alarm is not on solely VAG products.