A weird problem with an alarm on my 328: | FerrariChat
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A weird problem with an alarm on my 328:

Discussion in 'South Central - USA (TN, MS, AL, GA)' started by Gatorrari, Sep 24, 2025 at 4:13 PM.

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  1. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2004
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    Jim Pernikoff
    #1 Gatorrari, Sep 24, 2025 at 4:13 PM
    When I bought my 328 some 21 years ago, it had a car alarm and a radar detector, both of which I had deactivated, or so I thought. Today I learned differently.

    About 2 hours after I arrived home from the Ferrari Club annual meet in Charlotte (a very pleasant 4-1/2 hour drive), I suddenly heard a loud, steady, piercing alarm coming from the front of the Ferrari! Apparently the alarm was not completely deactivated and for some reason it decided to go off, after 21 years of silence!

    I called my mechanic, Ron Reineke, and he told me how to shut the alarm by disconnecting the battery using the emergency disconnect under the front hood behind the left headlight. That worked, except that now the car has no power, and every time I try reconnecting the battery the alarm goes off again.

    I'm at a loss as to what to do next. Ron says he can't help me any more due to health issues. I signed up for Rides to Remember on Saturday but now that looks impossible to make. I called my new service shop, Enzo's Auto Service in Marietta, and they say they can't help me either. Does anyone here have any suggestions?
     
  2. mikey64

    mikey64 Formula Junior
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    Jun 26, 2013
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    mikey
    #2 mikey64, Sep 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
    Is the car alarm actually preventing ignition power / start up?
    Have you tried using the key in the door to turn off the alarm? Many alarms used to work in that way.
    There may also be a small button hidden (usually under the dash) that you can press while turning the key on.
     
  3. steved033

    steved033 F1 World Champ
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    Steve D.
    #3 steved033, Sep 25, 2025 at 6:56 AM
    clip the wires to the siren?

    The issue is that it is probably using power even when the car is off. A full uninstall would be needed, or at least a disconnect. I did that to the 348, mostly because the fobs were missing (fancy pager one).

    Does the siren go off once you start the car?
     
  4. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2004
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    Jim Pernikoff
    #4 Gatorrari, Sep 26, 2025 at 9:12 AM
    I'm going to try that - hook up the battery, jump in the car and see if it starts, which should (I hope) kill the siren. Somehow I don't think the siren is connected to the door lock.

    I also wonder - shouldn't there be a fuse for the alarm? If so, I should be able to take care of the problem permanently.
     
  5. steved033

    steved033 F1 World Champ
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    Apr 12, 2017
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    Steve D.
    #5 steved033, Sep 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
    It depends on how its wired. It's possible there is an inline fuse on the B+. Disconnecting it would remove all siren function.

    Any idea if it is also an immobilizer? (I'm betting no, if it's been this long with no other issues.) Disconnecting the fuse could keep the car from starting. Mine was, and I had to re-splice ignition on.
     

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