Why Does My Neighbor's Truck Alarm Honk When Certain Vehicles Go By???

Home Forums Open Discussion Why Does My Neighbor's Truck Alarm Honk When Certain Vehicles Go By???

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #597562

    jwws
    Participant

    OK – this has been driving us crazy for a couple of years – we first thought it was Metro buses honking as they went by our house (even complained to Metro numerous times – sorry!!!). Most recently we have figured out that it is our neighbor’s Ford truck alarm that honks once when certain vehicles (vibrations/wi-fi??) go by -this happens at night and early morning (when said truck is parked on the street). Any electrical engineers out there that have a clue???

    Sleepless in WS

    #713348

    Genesee Hill
    Participant

    Not an electrical engineer, but I would venture to say that you live near an exceptionally rude person. This is similar to all those cheapo vehicles, that when you remotely lock the door, the horn sounds. Classy. Especially at night.

    #713349

    Andy
    Participant

    The exhaust system of some vehicles is designed to be a bit louder and generate more horsepower than stock systems. It’s a “performance modification.” I had a truck for a while with a very mildly upgraded exhaust system, and it made cars with alarms do that little honk or beep when I drove by. Some of those alarms are that sensitive.

    Gen Hill has a point, too. If your car honks when you hit the remote lock, try not to do that at late and early hours. Just lame.

    #713350

    austin
    Member

    Some car alarms have an impact sensor that can tell if the vehicle is being molested by detecting vibration. If they detect a small amount of vibration they’ll emit a warning chirp or beep, or set the actual alarm off if an additional level of vibration is detected. It sounds like your neighbor’s truck’s mess-with sensor is set too sensitive.

    I used to have a car that would chirp if you kicked the tires. I also once had a chevy truck with pipes that would set off most car alarms. Great for parking garages.

    Stock keyless entry/lock systems that beep can be set to not do so. Also Hondas that are set to not beep when they lock will beep if you press the lock button twice. This doesn’t provide any greater degree of protection, only an (annoying) audible confirmation of the lock.

    #713351

    jwws
    Participant

    GH

    My neighbor is not a rude person (quite the contrary) – therein lies the rub! I think this is more of a factory installed “too sensitive” issue that is unique to Fords made in the past few years(???)..The honking of my neighbor’s truck occurs when no one is near it – they too are most likely asleep or inside when this happens- why it doesn’t bother them I don’t know! Austin I think you are probably right on the mark.

    #713352

    Genesee Hill
    Participant

    If I had a chirping/honking car or truck, I would fix it.

    Unacceptable.

    #713353

    cyclemom
    Member

    Gee…I hope I’m not your neighbor… my husband’s truck “chirps” when it picks up vibration sometimes. It doesn’t go off, just gives a warning by beeping a couple times. It’s not a setting he can alter – his vehicle is owned by his boss, and filled with the costly tools he requires to do his job. Also, not “lame”, “cheapo”, or intended to irritate.

    #713354

    Genesee Hill
    Participant

    Must be a cheapo Ford…and it does irritate!

    #713355

    jwws
    Participant

    Cyclemom,

    Rest assured you are not my neighbor (we are west of the Junction on Genesee Hill) but you describe what is happening quite well. This is a personal vehicle and I know my neighbor doesn’t do this on purpose. I’m wondering if the setting can be adjusted before I talk to them – just trying to come up with acceptable solutions….

    #713356

    Genesee Hill
    Participant

    Hey, any annoying sound from a vehicle can be fixed…if you want to fix it! Honestly, after working 20 years on Graveyard, I sleep with a box fan 10 inches from my head. I don’t hear much of anything anymore.

    #713357

    Genesee Hill
    Participant

    I promise, this is my final word on this subject!

    I have noticed some people, proud of their Hondas and Toyotas, love to press that remote just to hear their “little baby” honk. All you have to do is lock the piece of crap by hand with the key…. but NOOOO, they have to lock it with the remote so EVERYONE will know how rich they are….I got a car with a remote lock…. I am somebody….

    #713358

    cjboffoli
    Participant

    The last time one of those cheesy aftermarket car alarms actually helped in the foiling of a car theft of any kind was in 1986.

    The hair-trigger mercury sensor on those things used to be the bane of my existence when I lived in Manhattan. One of my neighbors employed a very effective strategy which began with 1. a note informing the car’s owner of the problem and politely requesting it be remedied and 2. (If there was no improvement within a couple of weeks) a handful of chunky peanut butter cleverly applied under the door handle of the driver’s door with a second note (which was a little less polite).

    Equally effective was a call to the City’s catch-all 3-1-1 operator who would usually dispatch a couple of officers from the 13th Precinct. They’d slim jim the door, pop the hood and disconnect the battery. Five minute operation and back to the blissful din of the city.

    #713359

    argiles
    Participant

    I live on Avalon and there are cars with car alarms that go off repeatedly when cars and buses go by.

    #713360

    miws
    Participant

    Of note on buses chirping, or setting off alarms; the high floor (non-hybrid) articulated coaches (the big, hulking ones) that Metro operates, have a very bass-y output from their engines, that I’ve noticed will commonly, chirp, or even on occasion fully set-off car alarms as they pass.

    Although I suppose the coach being so heavy could be pounding the pavement, and set it off through vibrations, I seem to have mostly noticed it as the coach is accelerating as it passes by.

    Mike

    #713361

    valvashon
    Participant

    Because your neighbor’s a douchebag. Sounds like the type of vehicle that probably also has “truck balls” on it. Car alarms are generally ridiculous accessories that thieves routinely ignore and disable. Think about it, what do you do when a car alarm is going off? Ignore it like the rest of us. This is from someone who does not have a couple of beaters in the driveway, we have two nice late model cars whose theft protection involves not being able to drive them without the key. Punching and hotwiring will not work. It’s nice, quiet and effective.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.