Miata Mailing List: August 1994, Message #111
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   From: buck@claude.ma30.bull.com (Kenneth J. Buck)
Subject: re: factory alarm features
   Date: Thu, 4 Aug 1994 11:51:05 -0400

i forget who writes:
> In the meantime, the alarm system (even in valet mode)
> drained the battery sufficiently to warrant replacement (which I ended up
> paying for because I got tired of arguing about it.)  

by the way, if you have the factory alarm, be forewarned that there
are a couple of interesting features to be aware of (maybe you know
this already).  one is that the pin switch under the hood seems
quite prone to rusting since it's not well protected from moisture,
and if it does, it may trigger the alarm someday when it's
inconvenient, running down the battery while you're away :-(
check it out - if it's really rusty, consider replacing it.

BTW, if you can find the part # for JUST the pin switches,
good luck.  originally, the parts dept. tried to tell me
that "Miatas don't come with alarms."  after i explained
that the alarm i got on my '90 is the same alarm still being
sold with the cars on their lot, they changed their mind on this...
then we looked through the parts fiche together & found nothing.
so i ordered one by description from another mazda dealer,
they sent me the pin switch _and bracket_ that goes in the
trunk, the price was high since it included the bracket
but i figured "well, i don't care, at least i've got the switch".
i can supply the part # that gets you this combo if anyone cares,
but i don't think that's the real answer to the problem...
frankly, i don't like the switches very much anyway, and wanted
to use some better ones, but i never explored other sources.
also been toying with dumping the alarm entirely and getting
a better one.  but, money is scarce (since people keep stealing
that $2.50 in change from my unlocked car :-) so i haven't
gotten around to it yet...

another feature is that (at least with mine), if you disconnect the
battery (which kills its recall of the remote control codes),
you HAVE to re-enter the codes using the remote, even if the
alarm switch is in the "off" position.  otherwise, the car
will start ok, but thereafter the ignition kill is in effect
so you can't restart it after shutting it off unless you disconnect
& reconnect the battery :-(   this can become quite a pain
until you figure out what's going on.  it also seems that
in this state, the alarm is draining the battery after you shut off
the car and walk away - remember, the switch is still in
the "off" position, but...  
of course, normally, i'd just have re-entered the codes,
but since the remote control batteries were dead... (but let's
not go into how short a life THEY seem to have.. :-(


--                                             
Ken Buck                                          /|
Internet: k.buck@ma30.bull.com                \'o.O'    ACK!
Mail:     Bull, MA30-833A                     =(___)= THPTPHH!
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