I've just been nosing through the owners manual, like you do, when I came across the section on the anti-theft alarm system on p.57/58, which states that it has its own power source, and that the power source has a working life of 5 years. That's the first I'd heard of it, so I lowered the driver's window and locked the car on the door handle. I then reached in and waved my arm about - nothing. I reached in further, pulled the bonnet release, walked round to the front of the car, opened the bonnet and slammed it shut again - nothing. Am I missing something obvious, or has my "power source" failed because it's more than 5 years old? Has anyone else heard anything about this, or had to have it replaced. If it has a defined life span, you would have expected it to be a service item, if only on an advisory basis. Thanks in advance for any enlightenment.

You did not allow enough time for the alarm to set before trying to trigger it, the LED on the drivers door will tell you when its ready.

 

Your interior sensors may also have been disabled by the button on the B post, would not affect the bonnet though.

 

Another bad VAG translation, the alarm module has its own independant back up power source so it will continue to sound even if someone disconnects the car battery.

 

If your alarm back up battery has failed, and it will indeed in time the alarm will still work from the main battery if you allow it to do its job, eventually after losing the back up source the leaking PCB mounted button cells will leak acid onto the tracks and give the module the coup de grace.

 

Read other topics about how to replace the non replaceable batteries should you be so minded and the wisdom of doing so, but I reckon your alarm is actually working, you will have to disconnect the main battery while it is sounding to see if the secondary one within the module has any life left, dont hang around as the siren cuts off after the reglementary time, cant recall what it is in the UK market, 5 minutes perhaps, its 20 minutes for a house alarm.

Service Manuals from 2010 have on the page for the 5th annual service that the Alarm Siren is due for replacement.

12 years later there are cars still on the original.

There are cars where people have replaced the unit and some just the battery in the siren.

 

?

When you are locking the car are you sure you are activating the alarm?  If that requires a 2 button push.  No idea if it does.

4 hours ago, J.R. said:

You did not allow enough time for the alarm to set before trying to trigger it, the LED on the drivers door will tell you when its ready.

 

Your interior sensors may also have been disabled by the button on the B post, would not affect the bonnet though.

 

Another bad VAG translation, the alarm module has its own independant back up power source so it will continue to sound even if someone disconnects the car battery.

 

If your alarm back up battery has failed, and it will indeed in time the alarm will still work from the main battery if you allow it to do its job, eventually after losing the back up source the leaking PCB mounted button cells will leak acid onto the tracks and give the module the coup de grace.

 

Read other topics about how to replace the non replaceable batteries should you be so minded and the wisdom of doing so, but I reckon your alarm is actually working, you will have to disconnect the main battery while it is sounding to see if the secondary one within the module has any life left, dont hang around as the siren cuts off after the reglementary time, cant recall what it is in the UK market, 5 minutes perhaps, its 20 minutes for a house alarm.

There’s a button on the b pillar? 

6 hours ago, Danoid said:

There’s a button on the b pillar? 

Not on all models, on some the interior monitoring is disabled through the radio 

It may be that the alarm sounder has been disabled 

13 hours ago, Danoid said:

There’s a button on the b pillar? 

 

Yup.

I learnt about the tilt (anti-towing) alarm when I tried to remove the front splitter by jacking the car, up while it was locked.

 

 

Edited 28 March, 20224 yr by JR RS

Or you just dont have an alarm, not all Superbs have them, mine does not..

@bubib5If that is the case in the UK then the OP's insurance company will be wanting to know that because the Proposal for insurance will have 'Factory Fitted Alarm and immobiliser' as part of standard spec.  (No tracker fitted.) 

I've finally sussed it!  If the Kessy key is in my pocket I can wave my arms about all I like through the open window and nothing happens, but if I put it out of range in the porch and do the same thing, the alarm and indicators go crazy. Thanks to one and all for the suggestions.

4 hours ago, roottoot said:

@bubib5If that is the case in the UK then the OP's insurance company will be wanting to know that because the Proposal for insurance will have 'Factory Fitted Alarm and immobiliser' as part of standard spec.  (No tracker fitted.) 

Interesting, we dont have any discounts, or alike if the car is fitted with an alarm or and immobiliser, but what i was trying to say is that not all cars come with it, at least for our market, its a payed extra!

On 28/03/2022 at 12:53, JR RS said:

 

Yup.

I learnt about the tilt (anti-towing) alarm when I tried to remove the front splitter by jacking the car, up while it was locked.

 

 

Found it today, never noticed it before  

Sorry, late to the party on this, but we will be taking the car on a ferry.  How do you disable the ‘anti-towing’ alarm? There is no button on the B pillar, so I realise it’s through the infotainment….interior monitor tick or untick, OK, but it looks like there is anti-towing as a separate item on page 59 of the manual and I can’t see how to disable this?

 

Thanks in advance.

Try pressing the lock button on the remote twice (straight after each other). It works on our 2020 model and on my old 2014 Leon (gone but not forgotten) but my 2017 golf has the pushbutton on the pillar - strange

Edited 26 August, 20223 yr by geordiebloke
Spelling

I have just re-read the manual and noticed that it says these, (not this0, functions can be deactivated simultaneously in the infotainment menu, so I guess that means if i deactivated the interior monitor that will also deactivate the anti-towing alarm.

 

So, if you see me pushing a car off the ferry in Santander with a flat battery, I have misunderstood the wording !!

Deactivating by unticking the box in the infotainment will work fine for the ferry but beware it resets when you unlock...   So don't lock then unlock then lock again.   Just unstick, turn off the engine then get out close all doors and lock. 

2 hours ago, skomaz said:

Deactivating by unticking the box in the infotainment will work fine for the ferry but beware it resets when you unlock...   So don't lock then unlock then lock again.   Just unstick, turn off the engine then get out close all doors and lock. 

thanks

Having started the discussion about the alarm back-up battery back in March, the car was in for a service yesterday at the independent garage I use (and trust) and I asked them to see if this battery needs to be replaced. They did a good close inspection and reported that the battery appears to be welded into the alarm itself, and can't be replaced. I have now officially ceased to be concerned about it - life's too short !