My 2002 MCS came with the factory security system -- this is the system where the end of the windshield wiper stalk looks like a cherry and blinks to show it is activated.

Next week we are going to thaw out in Flordia taking the Mini on the AutoTrain from Lorton VA to Sanford FL.

The AutoTrain "rules" state that security systems should be disabled -- pretty logical since the car will be bounced around a bit while the train is in motion.

My owners manual says :evil: NOTHING! :evil: NIL! :evil: ZIP! :evil: NADA! :evil: about disabling the alarm system. Can anyone here on NAM give me a hint on how to solve the problem?

Thanks, Tom

 

Well, supposedly clicking the lock button a second time is supposed to disable the interior motion and vehicle tilt sensors, though on mine, this does not occur. Maybe others can confirm or deny this.

 

Paul -- I read that on MINI2 and tried it. My "cherry" keeps flashing regardless of how many time I hit the lock button. -- Tom

 

It's supposed to keep flashing, because it is actually still active. The thing is (when it is supposed to be working properly) it will not react to motion or tilt, only if someone were to somehow open a door with the system armed. That is the reason for this 'mode'. All I notice is the interior light will come on when the lock button is pressed a second time.

You can 'disable' the alarm by disconnecting the siren under the hood, this is a bit awkward because of the bracket being there. Disconnecting the siren while it is sounding in an effort to silence the alarm is futile, it has an internal battery that will keep it sounding once it has already started. You would have to reconnect it and shut off the alarm normally to silence the siren (or throw it in a river).

And the name is Phil, not Paul. Everyone does it. I must look like a Paul.

 

When you push the lock button a second time, the LED still flashes, but at a slower rate. This indicatea that the tilt and motion sensors are disabled.

 

I do not have my MINI yet so I do not know if this test will work, but it is so simple to test, it is worth a quick try.

Arm the alarm and bounce or jiggle the MINI to see what it takes to set it off. Then redo the test only this time press the lock buttom a second time, then bounce or jiggle the MINI even harder than before. If the alarm doesn't go off you probably accomplished your goal.

Is there a sensitivity control on the alarm for noise (lightly rapping side window with key will trigger breaking glass audio based alarms if sensitivity is to high). I would be also worried about sound setting off the alarm. Trains can be really noisy.

Let us know if this works. Enjoy Florida!

 

this may sound really simple, but if don't want to set my alarm for some odd reason, ie. when i leave my window open just a crack because i'm staying within sight, i just lock the doors manually with the center console switch. then i just close the doors. car locked, but alarm not set.

i don't believe the oem alarm has any shock sensors, which i think is what detects those annoyingly loud stereo and exhaust notes, as well as those accidental bumps against your side panel or door. one of the ma's actually rocked my mini side to side on the day of p/u to demo how difficult it was to falsely trip the alarm. but crack the glass or somehow disrupt the interior airspace and the alarm's interior motion sensor will set it off.