I've had my 2000 XJ8 for only two months and have slowly been fixing the little things. The item that has now come to the forefront is the alarm chirp when arming and disarming the system (locking and unlocking) via the keyfobs. In both cases, the system emits a tiny, sickly little chirp that sounds like a mosquito flying past your ear - 1 chirp for lock, 2 for unlock. It is audible, but barely. When the alarm system is accidentally tripped, both the high and low horns blare nicely and loudly.

So, my question is, is this normal? My other vehicles that use the horns as the indicator give out nice short, loud BEEPS when arming/disarming. The tiny chirp I hear from the XJ8 is annoying, at best, and many times I have to arm/disarm several times in order to verify that it has happened. I can't imagine that this is the normal operation.

What is arming/disarming supposed to sound like and does anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to my mosquito?

 

I do believe that is normal. They are not very strong unless sounding alarm.

 

Thanks, Ken... If this is normal, I'll learn to live with it. It is sooooo quiet and truly sounds like a bug zipping past your ear. I just didn't think this would be correct. Any owners with similar (or dissimilar) experience?

 

My car doesn't make any sound when locking, other than the motors in the locks. Mine is a UK vehicle, and I've never heard any other Jaguar make a sound when locked or unlocked, normally the lights just flash once or twice if deadlocked. The only time mine emits a sound when locking is when there is a door or the boot is left open, and that is a little "toot" from the alarm horn.

 

Does yours sound like a 1980s beep? Mine does. If someone is walking by your car, they should be able to hear your car chirp. Try keeping a door open to see if it makes a louder error tone. I think the beep noise these cars make sounds kinda cool because its different. It does sound weak and the noise is much too low however. If someone knows how to make the beep sound louder, I would like to know.

 

I think the UK car security system is interesting b/c in the USA, we dont even get deadlocking at all. Its not an option either. We also don't have motion detectors or a tilt sensor. Our alarms dont monitor very much. Someone can break a long wheel base model's huge back window, climb in the car, steal everything in it, and then tow the car, and the alarm wouldnt go off because a door was not opened nor the door lock plunger pulled. You can even open the hood with the alarm armed and the alarm will not be tripped. At least we have the microchip in the key which im sure most XJ8s outside the USA have. Back on topic, the USA alarms alarms do make an unlock/lock chirp though

 

That is very strange, most european makes and models offer comprehensive security systems on even their small models. My old 96 Ford Fiesta Ghia X had a remote, deadlocking, motion sensing and tilt sensing system, which was standard equipment from the factory! I'm very pleased with the XJs system, and I like how the car locks the doors when its taken out of park, very safe vehicle.

 

mine makes barely any noise. I have always compared it to a duck being run over. sort of a weak quacking noise. I thought the same thing that it must be broken. Mine does not agnowlege any additional imputs once it has quacked and flashed the marker lights, which is also frustrating

 

YES... I think a very weak quack is a reasonable representation. I liken it to a quiet but high pitched 'Zzzzt'. I guess I'll just learn to be more attuned to Daffy Duck when I press the buttons.

Thanks.

 

At least it isn't one of those really naff alarms that speak like "ALARM ARMED" or "PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE" Ha Ha! They're really awful!

 

Haha. I have heard of one that said "PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE" followed by a recorded dog barking 3 times! The dog bark sounded horrible!

 

we all need a tacky one that hisses at people if they get too close and then if they touch roars like a jaguar

 

I think I prefer Quads "duck" description as thats how my g/f describes it :-) I actually quite like it as it is unusual.

@ Stu --> I HAD one of those talking alarms on my Mk II Escort AND I had Knight Rider lights to complete the effect... I'm forever insulted... sob, sob :-(

 

Ha Ha! Its ok SARC, if I was to let you into a secret I had a Dukes of Hazzard Dixie Horn on my MK4 Fiesta, and I had that up until Feb 08! To be honest it was my first car, though after buying my XJ I sold the horn to one of my Mid life crisis workmates, whos since installed it in a standard Rover 25.

 

Thinking on though, I'd really like one of those security systems James Bond had on his BMW 750iL in Tommorrow Never Dies! The one that gives an electric shock to those who touch, and is everything proof! Though I'd want that protection to continue when I drive the car too, just in case I do end up getting chased round a car park, I won't have my car shot to pieces. :P

 

True, but as I remember the 7 series came to a gruesome end. Don't try that with the Jag!

Dukes of Hazzard you say?! My Mk II was Dukes of Hazzard orange !!

 

Well would you look at that! Perfect Colour Match! My Dad used to have a MK2 Escort RS2000 with a droop snoot and fishnet headrests! It was the fastest in Lancashire I'm told, but he traded that for his Audi Quattro.

Tho Jimmy Bond crashed the BM into a shop window, I spent the whole chase wondering how it got so shot to bits, when just 5 mins earlier the baddies were shooting it, hammering & crowbarring it and getting shocks without marking it, but then all that failed once it started up! Perhaps Q wired it up wrong or something! :P

Have a Good Christmas!

 

I like the Hiss and Roar Idea! lol. I have to say my SMART car's have the most sensative and LOUDEST alarms I have ever heard! They have LoJack alarms. They put my XJR to shame. I'm actually considering installing that system in my XJR, because I want it to go off when someone touches her. plus with LoJack, they can also track the car if it is ever stolen through GPS.

 

I'm told by a Jaguar Source they were going to have a Jaguar animation on the stereo display on the new XF, and it was going to Growl on turning on the ignition, but it was decided it was too loud and it could scare younger passengers. I like the idea myself!
There is a lad near me who has a Truck's Airhorn fitted under his SMART, scares old ladys really well! I'm going to Spain in a couple of weeks for 4 days, and have hired a SMART its going to be a big change from my huge XJ and my 42ft long Coach I drive at work!