How to Fix an Aveo Car Alarm
by Ryan Bauer
When your Chevrolet Aveo's car alarm won't work, your car is left vulnerable when it is unattended. While the locks will generally still work, the alarm will fail to sound if an intruder does break into your car, leaving the thief free to search around without calling any attention to himself. Unless you are a skilled mechanic, troubleshooting this problem yourself can be challenging. But if it is done properly, you can save hundreds of dollars in fees from a mechanic's shop.
Step 1
Check the batteries in the remote key fob. Over time, these batteries wear down and can eventually become weak enough to prevent a signal from reaching the car's sensors. If this is the problem, the doors will fail to lock or unlock when you press a button on the remote and the alarm will never get a signal to arm. Replacement batteries can be found at most electronics stores, such as Radio Shack.
Step 2
Check the fuses feeding the alarm. To do so, consult your owner's manual to find the location of the fuse box. Remove the cover, and using the diagram that is usually printed right inside the box, find the fuse that controls the alarm system. You can test it with a multimeter, or simply replace the fuse. If this fixes it but the fuse continues to blow, you will need to search for shorts in the wiring system.
Step 3
Reset the car's computer systems. This is done by cutting power to the system for a long enough period for the computers to reset to factory defaults. Begin by popping the hood. Next, using a wrench, remove the nut securing the negative battery terminal in place. Be careful not to touch any part of the wrench to the positive terminal, or you could create a potentially very dangerous short. Remove the negative terminal, and let it sit that way for at least 15 minutes. Now, reverse these steps to reinstall the battery cable. At this point, the computers will be back online. Try the alarm again to see if it works.
Step 4
Troubleshoot the wiring to make sure none of it has gotten damaged, preventing the alarm from receiving digital signals. Check each of the switches, such as the door lock buttons on each of the doors, and the button on the key fob(s). If a switch appears to be defective, replace it and try the alarm system again. If replacing the switch itself does not solve the alarm problems, trace the wiring leading to the switch that has malfunctioned. Find the damaged or frayed section and replace it.
Step 5
Check to see if the alarm unit is getting power. To do this, consult the internet or a repair manual specific to your year of Aveo to determine the alarm's location. Once you find it, pull back any panels or carpeting that are in your way, and examine the wiring. With a multimeter, check the positive and negative power leads to make sure the system is receiving around 12v of power from the battery. If it isn't, there is a problem with the wiring between the alarm unit and the battery, and it will need to be repaired or have a new power line ran to it.
Step 6
Replace the alarm unit itself. These are relatively inexpensive, and you can pick one up used off of eBay or Craigslist. Unless you are upgrading to an aftermarket alarm system, make sure the replacement unit is for an Aveo and not another brand or model of car. Once you have the replacement, simply unscrew the old one and mount the new alarm in its place, then hook the wiring up to the same terminals.
Tips
- If you are unable to fix the alarm, take it to a repair shop to have them troubleshoot the problem. It may be cheaper to have a car audio shop install a new performance alarm than have a mechanic troubleshoot the existing unit.
Things You'll Need
- Hand tools
- Multimeter
Writer Bio
Ryan Bauer is a freelance writer located in Ozark, Missouri. He has written numerous articles and books, including "How to Improve Your Credit Score 100 Points in 100 Days." Bauer is an experienced automotive mechanic and computer technician.
