Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

Just jumped in the car for a run to Tesco and when I turned the
key to start there were two beeps. The car started fine and no lights
on the dash.

Anyone know why it might do this, it's a 2001 WRX wagon?

Hawkeye D

Was it maybe your alarm beeping quietly or chirping when turning the key?

This can be a sign of the battery going home.

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

Hmmm, had your alarm sounded (been triggered)?

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

No, when you say battery do you mean car battery or alarm remote battery?

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

Just put multimeter on battery and its reading 12.37v but it wasn't
run yesterday so not sure if that's acceptable as some say should
be around 12.6.

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

If it was the battery would the battery light not stay on?

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

Voltage while idling is 14.3 so battery is charging fine.

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

Hawkeye D would have meant your key battery I imagine

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

In that case I changed the batteries in the fob a few weeks ago
and they are fine, even tested them with multimeter to make sure
they were ok.

I must admit a multimeter is a useful bit of kit.

Hawkeye D

No I meant main car battery, my alarm would chirp on starting up so I changed my main battery a few weeks back, been fine since.

Are the beeps loud? From behind the dash maybe?

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

Not loud and not quiet either and yes coming from behind
the dash.

I have started the car several times since and it's not doing it now.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Is R2D2 hiding under the dash?

Sorry....couldn't resist.

In answer to an earlier post, no, the battery light only stays on if it's not being cahrged. A flat battery wouldn't/shouldn't cause it to do so.

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

I will start her up tomorrow and see if it does it again.

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

First signs of a failing battery. Voltage is low while cranking which in turn sounds the alarm.

Oranges

Pretty sure there is a list of beeps and their associated meanings in the manual/alarm book

Inviroman

iTrader: (2)

Yep signs of battery on its way out, mine just had the same, replaced the crap battery that was fitted and all ok.
It is in the alarm book, you can check the volatage from the alrarm led! Which his not any use.

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

do you have the sigma m30 alarm, if so click

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

This.

Once started the battery will charge upto voltage. Needs new battery soon.

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

I got a jump start from a mate and it seems fine now.

I did have a issue with the crap xtrons touchscreen dvd
unit being stuck and not working for the last few days, could
this have been the culprit of battery drain?

Have got the touchscreen off now and it has started fine,
been starting her up every few hours but will also check
again in the morning.

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

pretty sure that'd drain it quicker if not being given a good drive, preferably with A/C and lights on to ensure the alternator is doing what it needs too

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

After the jump start I took her out for a spin for a half
hour just to get some charge in.

Last couple of starts have been fine with no beeps
on first turn of the key but like I said will check in
the morning if its alive or dead.

What do you think about the stereo issue, possible drain?

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

quite possibly, was it a motorised Xtron and what was it not doing?

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

Yes it is a motorised one the TD717G, I popped the screen on
and it retracted into position played ok for a while and then stopped
as if it had no power. When the car was running with lights on the volume
button would light but thats it. I managed to release the screen today after a
lot of poking as it was a tight fit.

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

leave it out for a week or so and you'll be able to judge for sure eh

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

Wel, she started up fine so I am guessing it was
the crap chinese stereo that was draining the battery.

Will test it for the rest of the week just to make sure
everythings fine.

Cheers for all the help guys.

scoobyJim2

I've known of two kenwood stereos and a standard vw polo stereo (not sure of make) to cause parasitic drains

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

I think the stereo had to be the culprit as the fascia was stuck on for 3 days
with seemingly no power.

scoobyJim2

It might have been powered to a permanent live rather than ignition live and unless you remove face it may cause drain

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

I am going to fully remove the xtrons unit and keep my eye
out for a cheap oem unit, I have a old Sony xplod but will
need a single din adapter for it.

riiidaa

iTrader: (2)

ask one of the breakers on here re oem double, £20~ + p&p