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Auto Theft Prevention/2006 malibu alarm lights flash when car is off and parked
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QUESTION: My girlfriend has a 2006 chevy Malibu. When the car is parked here at the house the lights flash like someone is pushing the buttons on the keyless remote. also the trunk pops open its self and the car un locks it's self. However it doesn't do anything strange when it is parked away from home. Is it another cars security system making it act this way? All night it flashes until the battery is dead. She had her dad disconnect the trunk pop wire. So it stopped opening. I removed the batteries out of the remotes. Also, tried disconnecting the cars battery in hopes that it would reset the system. It did nothing. Removed the on-star fuse in case it was catching signals or something it didn't help. I'm to the point where i have to disconnect the battery at night to keep it from draining the battery... What can i do?
ANSWER: Hello,
From your description I am going to throw something wild, but it does happen and I use this point in court (just did again in a California court room regarding the locking and unlocking of the doors)and it is known as RF (Radio frequency) A/K/A EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference).
Something where you park the car is triggering this event. It could be someone else's remote transmitter, a TV tower, a police radio, garage door opener, a security system as just a few examples. You may not be the only person in the area having RF problems, but it illustrates the point that electronic security is not in fact secure.
You are going to have to do your own investigation by interviewing other neighbors as to your problem and see if there are others. You might be able to determine a specific time and then you might find the source.
Is this the only car that does this or does yours too?
Homeland security is very concerned about RF, EMI and relay attacks (google relay attacks).
There is something in the direct area of your girlfriend's house that is triggering this and one other thought which is very real--In my opinion GM factory engineers that design this crap don't even have the foresight to think their so called security systems will drain a battery down. Even the after market alarm manufacturers figured this out in 1994, where the alarm will trigger only 3 times and won't run a battery down.
You need to find out if this is a key less entry or an optional alarm problem you have. Just go down to the dealer, give them the VIN and they can supply you with the build sheet on the car showing all features, optional and standard and it will cost you nothing.
I suspect this is a key less entry issue because you said nothing about the horn honking.
I do not know if the trigger code can be re calibrated by the dealer on this system.
Disconnecting the battery does not reset the system. Generally, the ignition has to be left in the on position 10 minutes, turned off, back on for 10 minutes, off, on 10 minutes more to reset. At least that is how it was for years if they did not change it, or the dealer can reset with a Tech II hand held scanner.
My contention is commonly when rebutting an expert locksmith on forced entry (locksmiths know nothing about vehicle electronics) that none of these systems are secure because of RF. You may have pushed the lock button on your transmitter, but unless you go back and physically check the doors for being locked, one does not know for certain if the doors locked each and every thing and in your girl friend's case, that totally changes the picture.
Look, it sounds like this is turning into a real pain in the butt, and if you cannot isolate the RF, and temporarily, you can get a battery disable switch from a part's store. Usually attaches to the positive cable. You still would be required to open the hood to activate the switch, but at least you don't have to connect and reconnect the cable constantly.
Your girlfiend's situation is rare which actually makes it easier to determine the source of the EMI.
I would be interested to find out what you found, but even if you find the source, you may not be able to change it.
This situation also illustrates how worthless these factory systems are and how if people would not have showed a demand, the manufacturer would not have been offering key less entry, so-called anti-theft systems that don't prevent theft (but will get you denied on a theft claim) and alarm systems. The thinking has always been who knows more about security than the people that build the car? The answer-not the car maker or locksmiths!
It has gotten worse. All BMWs and Mercedes with smart key key less ignitions can be stolen in 1 minute! The same holds true, but time frames vary for every smart key system made.
When in court last week during break, the judge stated regarding a case we had involving an ignition lock and a GM anti theft system in which the insurance company denied the claim on an incompetent expert with an inept report which I was rebutting, that such a case did not affect him. He had a car with an electronic key less ignition system. I said really? What kind of car and where is it parked?
Funny, I saw the look of confidence fall off his face, when he realized he could be a plaintiff in the same type of case.
Any type of electronic security installed by the manufacturer is only good for placing a false sense of hope that there is any type of reliable security on the car.
The old adage holds true-locks are meant for honest people. Your situation is a blatant depiction to failure, but the worst to add insult to injury is that this system will trigger until the battery is dead.
After the first attempt, what is the point of this system going off until the battery goes dead?
On the other side of the spectrum, I rented a 2011 Kia Sorento (Got stuck with it). These idiot engineers actually were concerned about the battery going dead by plugging something as simple as a computer or cell phone charger into the accessory power socket, so switched power was required. I can't think of anything for normal use would run a battery dead, but the ignition had to be on to charge the phone. That means the charger was essentially useless to me and the only way I could charge it was leave the ignition in the on position. STUPID!!!!
Please let me know what you found to be the source and if you could correct the problem.
Good luck!
http://www.autotheftexpert.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: So I disconnected the battery and did the whole key on for ten mins. Key off for ten mins. And repeated it for about four or five times and the lights did not flash at all last night so I assume the problem is no longer. Thanks for the advice.
Hello,
Your assumption could be correct. It could be you had an RF issue originally and for some reason continued to be set off by location. I don't know. This is electronics and now electronics are the only anti theft systems used. There are so many issues with this electronic junk and yet this crap has been deemed reliable.
If EMI and RF are such a concern to homeland security, then why should we believe whatever key less entry or alarm put in our houses and cars is reliable.
By the way--Smart key technology with key less ignitions is the worst form of security and yet people think they are cool. Want a brand new BMW or Mercedes? One or two minutes and down the road without the owner's key fob and that is just one example!
I am glad I helped you out with the reset. Hopefully your issues stay gone now.
If my answer assisted you, please rate it. Thanks
http://www.autotheftexpert.com
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Answers by Expert:
Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI
Expertise
My background in auto theft is extensive. I have been directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft recovered vehicles. I also do insurance investigation as to how a vehicle was last operated. My clients are insurance companies and attorneys. Was featured in the A & E auto theft documentary "Stealing Wheels" July 26, 2000. Has consulted with Daimler Chrysler steering column engineers to make their steering columns harder to defeat. Holds patent # 6,039,140 for 8 different variations to protect air bags from theft.
Experience
ROB PAINTER, ASE, CFL, CFEI Forensic Vehicle Component Analyst Diplomate, Board Certified Forensic Examiner ASE Certified Auto, Collision, Med/Hvy/Duty Truck Technician Certified Forensic Locksmith Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner Certified Auto Theft and Fraud Expert http://www.autotheftexpert.com Email-rpainter@wi.rr.com P.O. Box 190 Big Bend, WI 53103 Phone (414) 698-9696 Fax (262) 662-1352 As per federal court rules of evidence (702) (Daubert) my testimony has qualified me as: Auto Theft and Fraud Expert Forensic Vehicle Analyst Fire Origin and Cause Expert In the trial transcript of Holiday vs Progressive Insurance Company (March 12, 2002?Eugene, Oregon) with Holiday being my client-named ?the expert for experts.? BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder of the ?Forensic Institute of Auto Theft Analysis? (January 2002). This is the training school that will set the standards in determining the last operation of a reported stolen vehicle-burned or unburned. Much of my testing and procedures have been accepted as the guide for the forensic community. 1986 opened Auto Recovery Specialists Inc., providing exclusive repair of theft recovered and vandalized vehicles. The initial concept of the business was to return vehicles to their original shape before the theft, vandalism or fire. In 1987 bought the rights to the theft deterrent known as the ?Chicago Collar?. Duties include complete component replacement: dash, stereo system, interior, locks and coding, rebuilding steering columns, repairing and installing vehicle security system components (factory and after market), engine components, body repair, glass replacement, repair and service of air conditioning components, brake and suspension repair, and replacement, wiring harnesses etc. to return vehicle to pre-theft condition Complete reconstruction. During the past 17 years directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft-recovered and fire damaged Personally examined and rebuilt thousands of steering columns on both import and domestic vehicles Internationally acknowledged as expert in auto theft including court, consulting with insurance companies, attorneys and law enforcement. Consultant on steering columns, locks, stereo systems and vehicle security for Special Investigation Units for many large insurance carriers during the past eight years. Consulting services include but not limited to: How a vehicle was last operated (with or without keys in burned or unburned vehicles), Origin and Cause of vehicle fires, and vehicle defects. Provides services as a consultant and researcher to attorneys and insurance companies, and private industry throughout the US in cases related to vehicles. Has worked with crime prevention officers throughout the US establishing training programs designed to protect the public from becoming victims of auto theft. PATENT: 3/21/00 issued patent# 6,039,140 for 8 different variations of airbag anti-theft devices. PUBLICATIONS Currently authors articles and test reports on an ongoing basis for SIUs and the forensic/vehicle fire industry. Published author: (1,297 slide training course) Auto Theft/ Fraud Training Course) ?The Modern Forensic Approach to Auto Theft Investigation.? (January, 2001) Author: ?Variables to Be Considered In Vehicle Fire Investigation after Suppression.? (Insurance publication-November 2001) Author: ?Ford Magnesium Steering Columns and the Results to Ignition Components after a Fire?. Article for peer review from the fire and forensic community. (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM VATS.? (Article) (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM PASSLOCK TM? (Article) (November 2001) Author:? Auto Theft Investigation: Hollywood vs. Reality? (Article) (February 2001) For the John Cooke Fraud Report. Published author: (Manual) ?Forensic Vehicle Fire/ Arson and Auto Theft Investigation? (October 2000) Published author: (Article) ?Petty Claims? for the John Cooke Fraud Report (October, 1998) Published author (Manual) ?AUTO THEFT: LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN!? (1998) (Previously distributed by Barnes & Nobel) Co-authored the investigation manual, ?Surreptitious Entry & Auto Theft & Burn & the Investigator.? (1999) Authored test questions on the subject of steering columns and vehicle security for CFL designation to be given by the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths. January, 2000 Published author: (Manual) ?Saginaw Steering Columns-What Has Not Been Told? Training manual for fire investigators. (March 2000) Published (Article) ?Beyond The Lock? (May 2000) Published Author: (Article) Fraud Defense Network-August, 2000 Edition-?Melting Steering Column Tests.? http://www.fraudreport.com/index.cfm?month=08&year=2000 Published author: (Test Report) ?Burned Toyota Steering Column Testing to Determine How Last Operated?. Tool marks and procedures. (December 1999) Currently at the FBI Crime Lab in Washington DC and the US Army Crime Lab in Atlanta, GA for peer review. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Defeated the ?unstealable? Ford Securilock transponder system for a court case 10/10/00. They said it could not be done! Primary designer of a state of the art ?bait? car for a police department to catch car thieves. Worked with The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration and discovered a potential fire hazard on a vehicle and determined origin and cause of under hood fires on this type of vehicle. Featured as ?Auto Theft Expert? in the A & E auto theft documentary ?Stealing Wheels? that aired July 26, 2000. Contacted by Sears and Edelman Marketing to be a national spokesman for an anti theft device for vehicles. (November 1999) Invited to provide evaluation and consulting to steering column engineers at Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI (10/19/99-10/22/99). The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how steering column locking mechanisms could be defeated without the use of a key and how to reinforce the columns against theft. Court Qualified as an Auto Theft Expert and my videos of defeating columns were also accepted by a Cleveland, Ohio Court in October 1999 as a valid piece of evidence. Contacted by Disney Touchstone Pictures for technical assistance in making the movie ?Gone in 60 Seconds? (March 1999) CONSULTANT FOR FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ? Former contributor for The Insurance News Network (Auto theft and prevention) includes heading a forum for the public on how to protect their vehicles for 3+ years. ? Former editor and consultant for the public on matters involving auto theft and prevention 2000-2001 on the web at http://www.autotheft_forum.com. ? The Insurance Career Center (Auto theft and fraud). ? National Association of Investigative Specialists (Auto theft and fraud) ? Expert Find (Auto theft and fraud} TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ? ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Certified in Auto: brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, air conditioning. Med/Heavy duty truck: gasoline engine repair, electrical/electronic components. Collision: elec.....
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