Stereo & Electronics - Factory alarm goes off when doors are locked

Hey all, on my '97 when I hit lock button on the factory remote the horn goes off until I hit unlock or the panic button. Also, when I lock the doors with the door switch, then close the door, same thing. Any idea what could be causing this? Thanks.

Don't know - have you tried disconnecting the shock sensor and see if you get the same thing?

Well, even if I close the door, then lock via the remote, it goes off. If it were the shock sensor I doubt it would do it then....but I could be wrong. Where is the shock sensor located?

Nevermind, just found it. I'll give it a shot.

if not also check the switches in by the door for your interior lights if they are going bad they will set it off when you lock it. both mine went bad one time set the alarm off all the time

Did you find the problem? If not, is it an automatic transmission?

this sounds gay but make sure the trunk is closed tightly.

I = NEWB and had the same problem because my trunk wasnt fully closed.

Please flame me, I am a sad sad man.

it is an auto, I ended up not getting a chance to mess with it tonight so I'll check it out in the morning. Hatch is closed. :)

Well, its not th shock sensor so I guess I'll look at the door switches. Strange though, I can wait til the lights dim and go dark, even give it a couple minutes and hit the lock button on the remote and the horn starts blaring.

There is a section on changing the lights, horn alert when you lock/unlock the car in the owner's manual. Try changing the alert around and see if it makes any difference. Worth a try anyway. True for 2002 anyway, I don't know about '97's.

Well, its not th shock sensor so I guess I'll look at the door switches. Strange though, I can wait til the lights dim and go dark, even give it a couple minutes and hit the lock button on the remote and the horn starts blaring.

Is the shifter button hard to press when shifting from park to any other position?

Is the shifter button hard to press when shifting from park to any other position?


Actually it is, I'm assuming that could be an issue? :confused:

I was having the same issue awhile back. The shifter button was getting hard to push and the alarm would go off after arming. I ended up replacing the solenoid underneath the trim panel for the shifter. Once that was replaced, the button was easy to push and the alarm issue was resolved. The part number is 12538778 and was $30.95 shipped from GMPartsDirect.

Part has been ordered, thanks Blacker! I love LS1Tech! lol

I was curious if this solved your problem? A friend of mine has the same issues..

As soon as I get it installed I'll post the results here.

My '01 does the same thing, the alarm goes off for no reason at all after I lock the doors. So I did the easy fix, I unhooked the alarm...good thing I only park it in the garage :emb:

Hmm, well, looks like that didnt fix the problem. Shifter button is much is much easier to press though. lol Guess I'll look into the door jamb. It seems like they are working fine though. I dunno.

Could be the body control modual or if you have had a door panel off lately one of the wires to the door lock could be loose and cause it...I work at a Chevy store and thats what the techs say it probably is.. :) :confused:

Hmm, I just replaced the controls on the drives side and thats nice and snug. I'll check out the pass side. Thanks! Body control module.....that sounds expensive. lol

Hmm, I just replaced the controls on the drives side and thats nice and snug. I'll check out the pass side. Thanks! Body control module.....that sounds expensive. lol


It is located back near your spare tire.. :)

Hmm, I thought that was the shock sensor. Either way I've unlpugged it and there was no difference.

Hmm, I thought that was the shock sensor. Either way I've unlpugged it and there was no difference.


shock sensor=BCM..looks like it is in your door there may be a loose wire there..mine has started doing the same as yours and I have not had time to work on it yet..but that is what my techs are telling me..good luck.. :)

Bummer, I switched out the pass side switch, no change. I guess it is a loose wire somewhere...well, I know what I'll be doing this weekend. Thanks for your help slt

If anyone discovers where this grimlin is hiding please share it with the rest of us.. :) :confused:

Just noticed something strange today. The previous owner installed an aftermarket deck (Sony) and when the ignition is off and I turn the lights on, the deck powers up. Turn the lights off, the deck shuts down. Maybe this has something to do with my problem. We shall see.

keep us updated man

Just noticed something strange today. The previous owner installed an aftermarket deck (Sony) and when the ignition is off and I turn the lights on, the deck powers up. Turn the lights off, the deck shuts down. Maybe this has something to do with my problem. We shall see.


That just means that the head unit (ignition on) is hooked up to the headlight wire. You should really change that to the right wire which would come on with ignition only.

We are talking about the factory keyless entry/alarm right?
Has a aftermarket alarm ever been installed on this car?

Im going to say its the door pin switch (possibly even the trunk). I would replace those before going any further.

Yep, its the stock alarm. If its one of the door or trunk switches wouldnt the interior lights stay on or come on after the doors/hatch is closed? Forgive my ignorance, I'm not that well versed in electronics, gimme a screwdriver and a wrench and I'm fine. :D

Once the alarm is in "arm" mode it dims the lights untill they go completely off.

I say the door pins because there are only a few things that can set your alarm off.
1. Shock/impact sensor (which you said you already replaced)
2. Door/trunk pin switch (ive seen water/condensation/corrosion short them out in some cases)
3. Low voltage

Which brings me to my next question.
Is there any way you can get a voltage reading right before the alarm goes off?