The Chevy Volt boasts class-leading range and impressive driving dynamics.
Like any other car, alarm system problems can occur.
If your Volt’s alarm system keeps going off, this article is here to help…
Table of Contents
Why Does My Chevrolet Volt Alarm Keep Going Off?
A Chevrolet Volt alarm is usually triggered by a faulty door switch or hood switch as these sensors are especially prone to wear and tear. Other common causes include removing the car charger while vehicle is locked, key fob issues, and battery problems.
1. Faulty Door Switches
Faulty door switches (including the rear hatch) are a common cause of random alarms on the Volt, 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.
The door latches and door switches can get dirty too which can cause issues, so 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.
2. Faulty Hood Switch
A faulty hood switch is a common cause of unwanted alarms for Chevrolet vehicles (Volt included).
The switch is typically embedded in the hood latch.
The small electronic device is designed to detect whether the hood is open or shut and is an important part of the car’s alarm system – if it is broken, loose or dirty it can send false readings to the car’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 well-versed mechanically, you can buy a new hood switch online and replace it yourself. Otherwise, we’d advise visiting your local mechanic.
Related: 9 Best & Worst Chevrolet Volt Years (With Facts & Stats)
3. Removing Charger While Car is Locked
Owners have reported that removing the charger from a locked Volt may trigger the vehicle’s alarm system.
This is a safety feature known as Charge Cord Theft Alert that informs owners that the vehicle is being tampered with while at a charging station.
The fix for this is quite simple: before removing the charger, unlock your vehicle to disarm the alarm.
“I’ve discovered that when you disconnect the Volt from a Charger while it’s locked the alarm will go off a few seconds later. I suppose this is to prevent someone from removing your volt from a charger without your knowledge or permission…” – GM-Volt.com
4. Loose or Bad 12V Battery Connections
Loose or bad 12V battery connections can cause a number of problems, including triggering the alarm of your Volt.
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.
5. Drained 12V Battery
A faulty or weakened car battery causes a variety of problems, including accidentally triggering the Volt alarm.
The best thing to do is take your Volt 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.
6. Faulty Key Fob
Another reported cause of nuisance alarms on the Volt is a faulty key fob.
If you have 2 remotes, 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.
One owner had this to say on the r/volt subreddit:
“… New key fob did the trick. Might be worth a try.”
7. Key Fob Running on Low Battery
A common cause of mysterious alarms on the Volt 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.
Owners made the following remarks on GM-Volt.com:
“Just because the batteries in the remotes are only one year in doesn’t mean that they aren’t drained. Have you TRIED a new battery and had it fail to help?”
“Go ahead and replace the CR2032 batteries. My Volt did this to my wife not too long ago and it was the battery in her remote.”
8. Accidentally Triggering 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 (such as pens or house keys).
“If you keep the key fob in your pocket, you can easily press buttons without meaning to. I’ve done this a couple times just by getting up from the sofa. Bending my body at an acute angle applied enough pressure from my jeans to press a button!” – GM-Volt.com
“Bummer, that’s the first thing I neuter when I get a new GM vehicle… pop open the fob and put a piece of electrical tape over the contacts. Otherwise I’m forever pressing the wrong button and setting it off inadvertently. I hate panic button alarms…” – GM-Volt.com
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. Outdated Software
Vehicles that are as technologically sophisticated as this model are dependent on constant firmware and software updates.
If you fail to update your vehicle’s software packages, you may encounter random errors and glitches, including the car’s alarm going off.
The solution for this is simple: always update your vehicle’s software modules to prevent any bugs, glitches, or errors.
11. 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.
One Trax owner had this to say on the r/MechanicAdvice subreddit:
“It could be a wiring issue, latch issue or module issue. There’s no way to tell without diagnosing it.”
It’s not uncommon for rodents to chew through electrical wires in vehicles, especially vehicles that use soy-based wiring materials.
12. 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 car.
States such as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Texas, Wisconsin, and Carolina have large wild raccoon populations.
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.
13. 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 Volt’s alarm.
14. Incorrectly Installed Aftermarket Alarm
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.
Alternative Suggestions
Check for Recalls or TSBs
By entering your car’s 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 car 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
