The Chevy Colorado is a handsome midsize pickup that was launched in ’04.
Like any other vehicle, issues with the alarm system can arise.
If your Colorado alarm keeps going off, this article is here to help…
Table of Contents
Why Does My Chevrolet Colorado Alarm Keep Going Off?
A Chevrolet Colorado alarm is usually triggered by a faulty door switch or hood switch. Other common causes include BCM faults, key fob issues, accidentally pressing the panic button on the key fob, and 12V battery issues.
1. Faulty Hood Switch
A faulty hood switch is a common cause of unwanted alarms for many Chevrolet vehicles and the Colorado is no exception. The switch is typically embedded in the hood latch and it is susceptible to wear and tear.
The small electronic device is designed to detect whether the hood is open or shut and is an integral part of the alarm system – if it is broken, loose or dirty it can send false readings to the truck’s computer thus triggering the alarm.
- Pop the hood and locate the hood switch.
- Check for any obvious damage, rust or loose connections.
- Give the hood switch a clean too (use contact cleaner), as dirt and grime can cause issues.
- You can test the switch with a continuity tester.
If you are mechanically inclined, you can buy a new hood switch online and replace it yourself. Otherwise, we’d advise visiting your local dealer.
Owners shared their takes on the Reddit.com/r/ChevyColorado subreddit:
“If I were to take a guess the hood latch isn’t seeing that it’s closed and after a while it will cause the alarm to go off…”
“This happened to me and the reason was a faulty hood latch. I would get that checked as I only found a couple folks online with the same issue.”
2. Faulty Door Switches
Faulty door switches are another common cause of random alarms on the Colorado, similar to the hood switch, these switches monitor the open/closed status of the door – if damaged, faulty or dirty they can send false readings thereby triggering the alarm.
Door switches are a common point of failure as they are subject to wear and tear due to the doors being continually opened/closed/slammed etc. Especially the driver’s door.
- The door latches and door switches can get dirty too which can cause issues.
- The first thing you should do is give all door latches a good clean and spray some WD-40 on the latch and work it in to see if that helps.
- Also check the wiring leading from the body into the door for any signs of damage, it should be in a flexible hose on the hinge side of the door.
- If you suspect the alarm issues are linked to the door switch, ask your dealer to run a diagnostic test to try and pinpoint the fault.
Rust and corrosion can also affect the latches and switches, which may trick the sensors into detecting that a door or the hood is open. A badly rusted door latch or sensor will need to be replaced.
“Sensors in your door and main hood usually have the ability to screw out or in to adjust the sensor’s point of contact.” – Reddit.com/r/ChevyColorado
“It started on the driver’s suicide door and now it also occurs on the passenger suicide door. Any bump on the road, pothole, seam on a bridge, even an uneven road triggers the door ajar alarm and then the clicking of the lock door mechanism.” – ChevroletForum.com
3. Loose or Bad 12V Battery Connections
Loose or bad 12V battery connections can cause a number of problems, including triggering the alarm of your Colorado.
A bad connection can be caused by dirt or gunk buildup.
The terminals may have come loose from driving and vibrations etc.
Make sure the engine is off before doing any work on the battery.
- Inspect the battery and look for any signs of damage, dirt build-up, rust, or corrosion.
- Disconnect the battery and loosen the nuts on the clamps using a wrench.
- Remove the negative clamp, marked with a – symbol first.
- Clean the terminals with a toothbrush dipped in a mix of baking soda and water, rinse with distilled water and dry with a cloth.
- Reconnect the battery, ensuring tight connections.
Related: 19 Best & Worst Chevrolet Colorado Years (Complete Guide)
4. Drained 12V Battery
A faulty or weakened 12V battery causes a variety of problems, including accidentally triggering the Colorado alarm.
The best thing to do is take your Colorado for a battery health check, these are usually quite inexpensive or sometimes free such as at AutoZone.
Or you can test it yourself with a multimeter (see the guide at the end of this article).
A healthy 12V battery should be about 12.6 to 12.8 volts while a weakened battery reads below 12 volts.
5. Key Fob Running on Low Battery
A common cause of mysterious alarms on the Colorado is a low key fob battery. Similarly, if the fob is dirty or dusty this can also cause alarm issues.
Give the inside of your fob a clean and replace the battery to eliminate this possible cause. It’s worth spending a bit extra for a good brand of battery.
- To open your key fob, stick your prying tool into the slit or gap between the two halves of the outer casing and gently apply upward pressure to pop open the device.
- Remove the battery.
- Give the key fob a good clean to remove any dirt or fluff – a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol should do the trick.
- Check for damage, rust or loose connection (you may need a new key fob depending on what you find).
- Be sure to insert the new battery facing the right way up.
- Assemble the outer casing of your key fob by clamping them back together.
6. Faulty Key Fob
Another reported cause of nuisance alarms on the Colorado is a faulty key fob.
If you have 2 fobs, try taking the battery out of one and use the other for a while.
If the alarm problems persist, and you have tried cleaning the inside of the fob(s) and changing the battery, the best thing to do is speak with your dealer.
You may need to have the key replaced although if possible, it is cheaper to have it reprogrammed.
7. Accidentally Pressing the Key Fob’s Panic Button
It is not uncommon for owners to unintentionally activate the panic alarm of the vehicle.
While a lot of owners have chalked it up to poor key fob design, a few others have attributed unintentional triggering to other objects in the same pocket as the key fob.
An easy fix for this is to have a dedicated pocket for your key fob, free from any other objects.
“My problem turned out to be the position of the fob related to the position of keys and attached key rings inadvertently pressing the red button on the fob when I handled the keys. Just a thought, something to look at.” – 355nation.net
8. Aftermarket Alarm Issues
An incorrectly installed or faulty aftermarket alarm system is a common cause of nuisance alarms.
Aftermarket alarms are typically far more complex than any factory-installed equipment which makes them more prone to issues.
They may also have been installed by incompetent individuals.
If you are experiencing issues with an aftermarket alarm, the best thing to do is speak with a reputable auto electrician.
9. Faulty Body Control Module (BCM)
A faulty body control module can cause a wide range of issues including nuisance alarms.
- The BCM is in charge of electrical communication from different electronic systems.
- This includes the alarm system, lock-unlock functions, climate control etc.
- If you have a faulty BCM you may notice other electrical glitches too
- This can include intermittent operation of various electrical functions, such as the horn, lights, wipers and instrument cluster dials
The signals sent from the door and hood are sent to the BCM to be interpreted and it is a core part of the alarm system.
The BCM can be connected to a diagnostic scan tool which should uncover any errors or show a lack of communication with the main computer.
If in doubt, speak to your local dealer or a reputable mechanic to carry out the tests for you.
10. Damaged Wiring
Damaged electrical wiring can cause a wide range of problems, it can often be tricky to pinpoint too and you may need to have an auto electrician run some diagnostic tests.
In some instances, rodents may have chewed through an electrical wire.
11. Animals Climbing On The Vehicle
If your alarm has been set off in the middle of the night, it may have been by an animal climbing on the truck.
Have a look for footprints on the hood and the roof.
If you have a CCTV system, examine the footage. These animals usually appear during the night.
12. Not Closing Doors, Hood, or Trunk Properly
Something as simple as not properly closing the doors, hood, or trunk will inevitably trigger the alarm.
Make sure to check if you have closed every point of entry of your vehicle to avoid accidentally tripping your Colorado’s alarm.
“Open and firmly close all doors, hood and tailgate too.” – Reddit.com/r/ChevyColorado
Alternative Suggestions
Check for Recalls or TSBs
By entering your trucks VIN number on Chevrolet’s recall page or the NTHSA’s Safety Issues & Recalls page you can determine whether or not there is a TSB or recall for your vehicle and if there is you’ll want to get it addressed.
A recall is issued by a vehicle manufacturer for issues that are safety-related, while a TSB covers components that may be malfunctioning but don’t compromise the safety of the vehicle.
Disconnect the Battery
Sometimes mysterious alarm problems can disappear with a simple reboot, there are no guarantees here but it’s worth a try.
Disconnect the battery for 20 seconds and this resets many of the electronics in the vehicle.
Check For Warning Messages
When the alarm occurs can you see any lights or warning messages on the instrument panel?
This can give a clue as to what’s causing the alarm e.g. ‘Hood Ajar’.
Take it to a Chevrolet Dealership
If needed, take your Chevrolet to the dealership.
Tell them you are NOT paying for a check on what the problem might be.
Ask them if they will check it for free.
Most dealerships and other places do quick/initial diagnosis for no money as they plan to make money for the repair of your vehicle.
If your unit is still under warranty then they should fix and resolve the issue for free.
How to Test the 12V Battery
How to Test the Battery:
- Before testing, remove the surface charge from the battery, this allows for an accurate reading.
- Simply turn on the headlights for 2 minutes then turn off.
- Set the multimeter dial to the ’20 Volts’ setting.
- Make sure the truck is turned OFF.
The multimeter will have a red probe and a black probe.
- The red probe is for making contact with the positive terminal.
- The black probe is for making contact with the negative terminal.
Measure across the battery terminals.
- The meter should display a reading, if the battery is fully charged the voltage should be between 12.2 and 12.6 volts.
- Anything under 12V and the battery should be charged or replaced.
Sources
https://www.chevrolet.com/support/vehicle/manuals-guides
https://www.chevrolet.com/ownercenter/recalls
