Hi Guys

I know there has been much talk about the car alram on the ST - post face lift.

I too am having problems with the alarm on my ST, having it a month now from new.

I took it into Ford the other week and they said it was a known fault and that Ford are working to resolve it. He also said that Ford will issue a RECALL NOTICE once the fault has a fix.

So the question is where are Ford with this and have they already found a fix for this car alarm as it is highly annoying!!!

Especially hacking off the neigbours!

Cheers Guys

Will

Yes you need a new GEM module.

*edit* From a good Ford Tech friend of mine

"anyone with a Fiesta St from mid `05 to sept 06 with an intermittent alarm fault (eg goes for for know damn reason) will require a new GEM module (not the normal module but a reworked unit) which sits just above and to the right of the accelerator pedal after a fitment the new update should be loaded onto the GEM

If Fords say they cant find it then tell them to look in the broadcast messages section of ETIS and they will see it (they should also have a printed copy of such new broadcast messages on the wall in the workshop"

Thanks for that.

Surely Ford would have known about as this 2 weeks ago when i put my car in for diagnostics?

They said there was no cure at present and that a recall notice will be issued, should I phone them back up and get it sorted?

And also why havn't ford issued a recall notice if they have found a resolution??

Ive got some bodywork repair coming up so might be a good idea to get it done then??

its just as broadcast message on how to repair it. Its broadcast message number 6296

Had mine done last week fitted a new GEM unit with a green dot on it and software update so far thumbs up no alarm going of when it feels like it.

Perhaps Chris could make this post a sticky as a few peeps mention the problems with alarms?

As far as i know the new module became available on 3rd Oct.

I had mine replaced last Tuesday and so far so good.

Just one question, my alarm occasionly goes off when I come back to the car and open it up. Is this part of this GEM module problem or not?

mase,
thats a good question as my alarm goes off now and again when i unlock it
and open it up,funny thing is its not very loud!!either when i first
herd it i thought it was some kind of a chime for the doors

Mase, my car does that and it is having a new module fitted as soon as it comes into the dealer. I took it to the dealer yesterday and thats what they are doing having checked it out.

It sounds like both iceman and Mase have this GEM module probplem.

Thats what mine was doing before i had a gem unit fitted You need to get down to your ford ealer and get it sorted. Had mine fitted for 3 weeks now and no problems yippie!!!!

I'll have to get down to the dealer sometime then and have a word. Its a weird one because its very intermittent, goes for ages not doing it, then it went twice yesterday. It doesn't give me much confidence in the alarm.

Mine is going in tomorrow to have a new alarm module fitted, under warranty

i wonder if mine will have the new alarm model fitted as it has just come out of the factory? its not really a major problem though i dont think so if they havent done it then im not fussed to be honest.

There's a Technical Service Bulletin (T.S.B) about this issue now.
Fix requires a new GEM and should fix the Hazards lights not Flashing issue as well.
It's not a "recall" issue as it's not safety critical. Also they will only change the part if you actually complain about it, i.e they won't do it at your first service by default.

guys,
got a new gem module fitted (took my dealer a week to get the part)today
and yes the indicators now flash when alarm goes off.
iceman.

nice one mate mines ordered as well

hey, after trying to get this sorted, the dealers are unaware of the part??
strange...does anyone know the code for the GEM module that has had this repaired?

cheers

all sorted

Glad its been sorted out. Have you actually got the code now then? Its just it might be useful to know here in case anyone else needs it in the future. Thanks, Chris.

cheers Chris, me car will go into the dealers in the new year so will try and find out the code then and will post it up

If the dealer types the fault symptom into ETIS like they should do, it will tell them what to do and what to order

My alarm go off for no reason and the lights dont flash when it does ?
On other occasions when i open my the alarm will go off and the lights flash?
I took it back to my dealer and they are ordering me a new GEM module which ive been booked in for wednesday 27th to be fitted, so hopefully that will sort it out and i will go back to loving my again

yep that new gem module will sort it out for sure.

Well took the st to the dealers to have new GEM module fitted, couple of hours later had a phone call to say it was ready. Got the keys put into the ignition red light comes on then the yellow light and theres a beep, dislay says theres a fault with the rear doors (dont have rear doors) then it says a fault with rear wiper, (it works) so i march back into dealers and they have a look at my st and say that there might be a fault with the GEM module & they'll order another one for tomorrow. So i bring my st back the next day, they tell me i can wait cause it should only take about half a hour, 1 hour goes nothing then 2, im then told that they cant seem to reprogram the GEM module so they have to get in contact with ford technical, im there almost 4 hours only to be told that there are still warnings on the display on my st & that they are gonna have to get the electrician to look at it but he is off sick at the moment so they will phone me tuesday (2nd jan 07) to let me know when i can bring my st in. well i never went out in my st on the night. But today at about 4:00pm i was on my way to the cashpoint, its getting dark so just before i got there i put my side lights, on nothing happens so i click to the main headlights they come on but there's no lighting in the car, i check the front lights (main lights) they are fine but the rear are not working, so i drive to the dealers and they say they cant do anything now because they are closing soon, but they can give me a courtesy car till my st gets sorted out. So at the moment ive got a fiesta lx till my st gets sorted. It should have just been a simple GEM module change now all this crap. Driving from the dealers in the lx i went to turn the radio up where the remote audio control is force of habbit i suppose. Im soooooooooo missing my st already

Wow!! what a story! probably the most unlucky man I know! thanks to a GEM module! Thats weird whats happening to ur car and I really hope u get it back soon! At least u got a courtesy car but like u I hate it I'm always happy to see my car back hope u get it back soon!

thats s**t mate, mines going in next week so wish me luck ;(

Still waiting for the "5 working days to get the parts sir" phone call to tell me to take her in........bearing in mind they knew which part to get before booking it in last time and still only did a diog so they could work out what to order!!!! I will flip if they screw mine up and my other half will set up camp across the exit of their yard till its working and no one will be going home till it works

well thats pants pal,i thought my gem mudule problem was bad (2 seperate faults)and took two weeks but yours well.... fingers crossed you get sorted very soon,best of luck and keep us posted.

Thats a nightmare! Hope they fix your car soon.

Thanks people,
Well on january 2nd, waited all day for a phone call off ford dealer (checking mobile every 5 minutes) nothing, so i phoned them, i was told that the electrician cant seem to re-program the GEM module either, so they are going to get in contact with ford technical again so im to phone up the next day.
So i phone them up the next day at about 2pm, i was told they have made progress and that it should be ready soon.
A hour later i get a phone call from dealer telling me its ready to be picked up.
I finish work early and go and pick it up, check that everything is working ok before i leave the dealers and everything works perfectly.
Driving out of dealers WOW what a difference from driving a 1.25 lx to a 2.0
Well everything seems fine now, no more alarm going off, so far so good.

thats brilliant news good to hear u got sorted out fairly quickly with the gem module problem(mine took 2 week to sort)fingers crossed not more problems for u.

Cheers Iceman, im well chuffed to have it back.
So did they tell you why it took that long to sort your out?
Did they give you a courtesy car while it was being repaired?

yes i got a courtasy car for the fortnight,they had to order a new gem module thats why it took so long,as its not a stock item!!!

I have a Sept 06 St which I have only had for a couple of weeks, love the car however the alarm has a mind of its own going off at all hours of the night and also when you use the remote to unlock the car.(indicator lights flash) Those of you who have had new software fitted, was it done under a warrenty and does it always show up on the diagnostics?? Mine has already been in once but apparently nothing showed up?? and service centre wont replace it unless they have a definate code despite me showing them the thread with the part number codes etc. What is the cost for having a new one? Ford says its way over a grand!! Can you access the green dot next to the main label?? Where is it?? Any help much appreciated, just want to lock my car at night!!

Fords should replace it under the warranty. its a GEM module, there is a code on this site somewhere, I'll see if I can find it.

I have given ford the part number finis code etc and said im sure thats what it is but they say unless it shows up specifically on the diagnostics they are not covered to do it under warrenty despite me only having the car for 3 days when it started happening, the sales team have been helpful so far though!

Getting a GEM module fitted today, but when I got back to the garage with courtesy car, they told me to take the courtesy car and go home... They're having problems reprogramming it or something. They reckon it keeps saying "doors are open" or something. Hope I get it back tomorrow.

my alarm doesnt go off infact av never heard it go off at all how can you test ios except from smashing a window .. and my st is an 06 plate do you think i can just go into ford n say a want a new alarm(coz its beeping) well mines aint but a could kid on so this problem doesnt happen 2 years down the line when i will have to pay for it

The easiest way to check that it sounds is to go and open the boot manually with the key.

The alarm is quiet outside tbh.

except is not that loud inside ethier....mine would not stop 2nite as my fob seems to be running out of bat. but i was inside for 2 full cyles and it was not that bad

Im putting my ST in for Ford's to check the alarm in the next few weeks, I told the guy that my alarm was playing up and that my motor was pre Oct 2006 - therefore needing a new GEM module and he said "well, we don't know for sure yet, I will have to look at it"

I want it sorted before the summer as with mine I noticed after using it in the heat and using air-con it would not shut up!

I was down the beach with my mate and we were stood around for about 1hr for it to shut up - the alarm would not stop every time I locked it. By the time it stopped it was cloudy and the rain was on its way.

Not happy.

Picked mine up on the 3rd of this month, New.

In the first week, i have had the hazards flashing in the morning 'once'.

And when i have walked up to the car and pressed the unlock on the key fob the car omitted a continuous bleep, outside and inside, until i either press the fob once more or turn the ignition on. This happened twice. Since that week nothing has happened, and all has been ok.

I have booked it in to the garage for the 27th & 28th for them to check it.

Reading the probs on this, being so close to the Easter Event, do you think i should cancel and re-book? Plus, my passenger seat tilt mechanism is bust! .

Picked mine up yesterday... This morning I unlocked it with the remote... bleep bleep bleep etc, until I locked/unlocked it again. I guess I may have this GEM thing also. I'll keep an eye on it.

Also... when I lock/unlock the car, should my hazzards flash or not? All my other cars have flashed. This doesn't do anything so if you get out and start to walk away while pressing the button, it is impossible to tell if it locked or not without going back to the car to check as you get no hazzard signal.

Andy.

The hazards should definitely flash when you lock and unlock it.

Cheers.... guess it will be a return trip for me then.

just so u know u have to press the lock button twice
but then the hazars light should come on wen u open it aswell....

lol... just went out to check, and the alarm went off again when I unlocked it. Hazards weren't doing anything earlier... but since the alarm just went off a minute ago, they do now seem to be flashing when I deadlock or open.. mental.

deffo GEN module issue get it to ford to have it replaced, ring them first so they can order a GEN module in

I'm sure Fordie or someone had that problem with the hazards not going off and it was all sorted out.. Hmmm... Lemmie look

On page 1 of this thread Dave_T_ST said:

Quote:

---

There's a Technical Service Bulletin (T.S.B) about this issue now.
Fix requires a new GEM and should fix the Hazards lights not Flashing issue as well.
It's not a "recall" issue as it's not safety critical. Also they will only change the part if you actually complain about it, i.e they won't do it at your first service by default.

---

It's booked in for them to investigate on Monday morning. I asked if they could order up the unit and just book me in when it arrived but the want to diagnose it themselves before ordering.

It's done it 5 times today now... didn't happen at all yesterday. Thankfully, the alarm isn't particularly loud.

Hope this isn't a sign of how the rest of ownership is going to be, as I really don't want to be going back and forward to the dealer.

Well... not very impressed with the dealer. When I phoned up to book it in, I mentioned the GEM unit Tech Bulletin and advised of the symptoms. I also asked them to check the clutch pedal washer thing had been done while they were in the footwell.

Got there to drop it off, and they had on the notes that my Central Locking wasn't working... jeeze. So, explained all again and also mentioned the clutch thing as it wasn't on their sheet.

Got a call 1.5hrs later.

Dealer:"Is it when you use the key, coz we can't re-create the issue"
Me:"No, the remote.. it's intermittent. Press the unlock button and the alarn sounds. Did it 5 times on Friday and only once on Sunday"
Dealer:"Well, we ran it through diagnostics and it's not showing any errors"
Me:"Have you checked to see if the GEM unit needs replaced?"
Dealer:"Eh?"
Me:"The GEM unit... there was a Broadcast and a Technical Services Bulletin about an issue with them on post face-lift cars. The symptoms are intermittent issues with the alarm, for no apparant reason"
Dealer:"That's news to me, I've not heard about that"
Me:"Well, if you check the internet you will see it's quite a common problem"
Dealer:"OK, well come and pick it up and in the meantime I will check through the Bulletins"

AAARRRGGGHHH !!!!!! I mentioned this when I booked it in AND when I dropped it off FFS !!!

Anyway. Got there to pick it up and was told that they had found a Bulletin and that they were just about to take it back in the workshop as they needed to get some onfo from the GEM unit on mine and then run it through Fords system to see what the fix/if any was.

Hung around for another 20mins or so, and was then handed the keys. Was told that they had updated the software on my GEM unit? I asked for clarification as I understood the GEM unit would need replacing and then some software update, but according to them the Bulletin says they should first try and update the software on the current unit and if they can't then order a new one??

No-one else on here seems to have mentioned this , so I'm now not sure if I have just been fobbed off by a dealer that hasn't got a clue (well they aren't coming across as very organised anyway). I'll keep an eye on it over the next week or so to see if it's fixed.

Oh, and apparantly I don't need the clutch washer thing... if I can trust them.

nah the GEM unit needs to be replaced not re flashed.

ford do state this in technical bulletin!!

Well... as soon as it re-occurs I will be on the blower to them. Is there a Tech Bulletin number? I saw a Broadcast number earlier in the thread, but if I can quote the Bulletin number to them, they surely can't argue.

hmmm... does it sound like they are going to get my business at Service time?

dont think u need the clucthc washer its just standard fiestas fromm 55plate onwards and also ford fusions

My car is an 05 plate and was recalled for the washer (and had it done - that's my hand holding the washer a few pages back in this thread!). It has affected 05 onwards. I know of some 07 plates that have been recalled.

I think they have been told to update the software first (it'll save them money on replacing a new unit remember!) but it sounds like it'll happen again so the unit will be replaced.

hmmm... not happened a single time since having this apparant GEM re-program without the unit being changed...

The alarm on them are really rubbish to be honest. Not that loud, just a beep.

Ah....this is the problem i am having with mine. Ive got my booked in at garage week monday, i shall make them aware. Got a friend who does MOT's at ford and he had rough idea of the problem but ill still tell them anyway.

do you need to just take the broadcast number in and explain whats happing as i have a 56 plate and it goes off sometimes when i unlock the car ?

Yep, get it done quick before your warranty runs out

ok will do cheers

well the ST went in for the alarm today 1.5hr later i get a call saying they have ordered a new alarm gem thingy lol, im glad i joined the forum and found out about this as i wouldnt want to pick the bill up for a warrenty job lol.

cheers guys n girls.

The alarms fcn pointless, I can never hear it! Might get a different one at some point. One that makes a cool noise when u lock it, and sounds like a rape alarm when its going off!

it showed up as an unread thread, cba to read thru it so I just chucked that in at the end lol. Oh well.

Mmmm nice wheels

Am I have a GEM unit fail as well? My fob has stopped working will not unlock my car and alarm randomly goes off ? I have changed battery but no joy?