I have an 18 plate focus Mk4 and the alarm sounder is going off when I lock the car, stops when I open the car the absence of any lights flashing initially confused me.

Luckily I found a kind garage that plugged me in and read that the battery in the back up sounder was below the required voltage and so let's you know by going into alarm mode, nice if they (Ford) could have added this to the dashboard display with all the rest of the info, I have been told that the battery should last 10 years ?

Anyway just wondered if anybody had any knowledge if this can be rescued with an internal battery change otherwise a new device costs £118.

Hi 

I've had this same issue too, I have a 2019 mk4 focus and I can confirm that it's the battery sounder.

When it goes off (car locked), it either deactivates by unlocking via key fob and/or turning on the ignition. I've had both instances

I took of the left front side wheel cover and the sounder is located towards the top right.

It started happening December 2022, then stopped doing it around March 2023. But now it's started again today, January 2024.

Ford charge a diagnostic fee of around £120 for 1hr, if it can be found and solved within the hour that's all you pay. If not, we'll more costs and parts if needed.

 

Have you fixed this since you posted?

If you can remove the sounder yourself, then many small electrical repair companies will be able to replace the battery for a lot less than what a Ford dealer would charge.

Not sure what a Ford Model Katakia is, but I assume it's a bit like a Focus 😉

Can it be simply be disposed of and bypassed in some way or will that simply immobilise the whole car? Who listens/reacts to a car alarm these days anyway...

It's like the olden days when radios had a 'code' to activate it, the only people it effected were the true owners who were stumped after replacing a battery!

I think an alarm siren is still required for Thatcham Catergory 1 security.  That partly determines the insurance group, so disabling it may invalidate the insurance if the car got broken into.

Got this problem can I disconnect it and use my car while I get either a new unit or get battery change in it ( I know my insurance won't be valid if removed)