Q Can I fix my alarm system?

I recently took my Majestic 175 back to the dealer to investigate a problem with the alarm, which keeps going off after locking the doors remotely with the key fob.

It traced the problem to a faulty sensor on the habitation door, which it bypassed so that the alarm could be set but leaving the habitation door unprotected.

I was quoted over £700 to replace the entire alarm system, being told it was not possible to just replace the sensor on the door!

Is possible to replace just the sensor?

Charlie

A In nearly all installations, the door sensor is a reed switch operated by a small magnet attached to the door with two small screws. Nearly all alarm systems use this technique for door and locker open detection.

In many cases, such faults are caused by the distance between the magnet and reed switch increasing, because the screws have worked loose. Just two wires in one cable come away from the reed switch and it will be these two wires that the dealer has linked together. I suggest you go elsewhere for a repair that should take no more than 30 minutes.

Clive Mott

I’ve contacted a few workshops and I can find nobody either willing or able to fit a recessed reed sensor in the motorhome door frame.

I’ve contacted EHG asking if it could supply me with the correct sensor or give details of an approved dealer local to me.

It could not supply the sensor, but did give contact details for two nearby Elddis workshops, but neither were willing to do the work!

I’ve spent hours online searching for the correct sensor, but can find nothing exactly the same as the one fitted. I was wondering whether any readers have had the same problem and if they had managed to solve it?

Charlie

I believe your problem is because you remain insistent on replacing the reed sensor that has been embedded within your door. It would be a much simpler job to fit a surface-mounted reed switch and operating magnet near the bottom of the door as is fitted in the vast bulk of motorhome and caravan alarm system installations.

Then, you’ll need a short length of thin two-core cable to connect it in.

I know Dave Newell Leisure Vehicle Services in Telford has the necessary skills and expertise.

Clive Mott