The Honda Crosstour had a brief 4-year run from 2012 to 2015.
As with most cars, the alarm may go off unexpectedly although there is usually a simple explanation.
If your Crosstour alarm keeps going off, this article should help you out.
Table of Contents
Why Does My Honda Crosstour Alarm Keep Going Off?
A Honda Crosstour alarm is usually triggered by a faulty hood or door switches. Other causes include 12V battery issues, key fob issues, electrical issues or a faulty aftermarket alarm.
1. Faulty Hood Switch
A faulty hood switch is one of the more common causes of unwanted alarms on the Honda Crosstour.
The switch is a common point of failure on various Honda models and it typically integrated into the hood latch mechanism.
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.
This is what one owner had to say on CrosstourOwnersClub.com:
“I had the same problem, my 2013 CT alarm would go off about every half hour, for 2 minutes, reset and go off again 30 minutes later. The only way to stop it going off (and keep the neighbors and family from killing me) was to leave the fob in the car, this way the alarm didn’t arm. Obviously not a preferable situation to leave your fob in the car unlocked. Turned out to be the front hood latch mechanism…”
2. Malfunctioning Door Switches
Faulty door switches (including the trunk/rear hatch) are another common cause of random alarms on the Crosstour.
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.
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.
One owner posted about this matter on CrosstourOwnersClub.com:
“Sounds like a problem with your rear hatch. For whatever reason your car doesn’t believe it’s fully latched all the way. Either it isn’t because of misalignment or the sensor is faulty.”
3. Loose or Bad 12V Battery Connections
Loose or bad 12V battery connections can lead to a number of problems, including triggering the alarm of your Crosstour.
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 “-” 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.
4. Drained 12V Battery
A faulty or weakened car battery causes a variety of problems, including accidentally triggering the Crosstour alarm.
The best thing to do is take your Crosstour 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.
Related: Honda Crosstour Beeping Problems? (15 Common Causes)
5. Low Key Fob Battery
A common cause of mysterious alarms on the Element 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 Pilot 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.
7. Incorrectly Installed Aftermarket Alarm
An incorrectly installed or faulty aftermarket alarm system is a common but overlooked cause of false 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 inexperienced technicians.
If you are experiencing issues with an aftermarket alarm, the best thing to do is speak with a reputable auto electrician.
8. Damaged Wiring
Damaged electrical wiring can cause a wide range of problems, whether it be caused by water damage or normal wear and tear.
It can often be tricky to pinpoint too and you may need to have an auto electrician run some diagnostic tests.
9. Animals Climbing On The Vehicle
Cats, raccoons, squirrels, and other small animals are more than capable of tripping your vehicle’s alarm system.
If your alarm has been set off in the middle of the night, it may have been by an animal climbing on the car.
Have a look for footprints on the hood and the roof.
10. Not Closing Doors, Hood, or Trunk Properly
Sometimes a false alarm can be caused simply by not shutting a door properly, including the hood and trunk.
Check your doors, hood, and trunk! If there are issues with closing them properly, there may be a problem with alignment or even the rubber lining.
11. 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 car alarm system, lock-unlock functions, climate control etc.
If you feel that your BCM is the culprit behind random alarm activation, then book an appointment with your local dealership to have it inspected.
Alternative Suggestions
Check for Recalls or TSBs
By entering your car’s VIN number on Honda’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.
One owner on CrosstourOwnersClub.com suggests the following:
“Personally, if it were my car, I think I would try disconnecting the battery and then reconnecting after a few minutes. I always like to try the easiest things first.”
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 Honda Dealership
If needed, take your Honda 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.
Related: 6 Best & Worst Honda Crosstour Years (With Facts & Stats)
Sources
https://owners.honda.com/vehicle-information/information/2010/Crosstour/manuals
https://www.cars.com/research/honda-Crosstour/
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/honda/Crosstour
