ALARM KEEPS GOING OFF! How to stop a Honda or Acura Security Alarm from going off. EASY DIY FIX!

2012 Acura MDX. Horn was honking for no reason. Took off the hood latch, springs, and cable, cleaned up the the whole area, used brake cleaner, and slightly modified the metal lever to push down the small plunger valve to the sensor. Reinstalled it all and all is well. Culprit, all the grease and dirt build up. With the car locked, hit the lock button again on the remote, if the front lights do not flicker, then look into cleaning the hood latch and reviewing the lever and its interaction with the sensor plunger. Job took about 35 minutes and it was basic maintenance. You can always just disconnect the sensor as another option, but this was basic maintenance and easy to do.

Nice video showing the complete restoration. The danger of taking the car to the dealer is a tech may decide your keyless entry module is faulty (which is typically backordered), and then blah, blah, blah... $900 and 4 weeks later your alarm goes off again, because it was really a door or hood latch sensor all along. I decided to unplug the latch sensor and jumper it with a lead off a 1/4 watt resistor. The thickness is just right to make the connection. Tape if off for waterproofing and zip tie it so it doesn't flop. Latch closed state = closed circuit. The car will always think the hood is closed and the alarm system will arm as expected. Chances are if you are watching this video, you are already the type of person who would notice if the hood wasn't shut just by walking up to the car. So all you are giving up is the hood latch idiot light and accepting the risk that some really stupid criminal is going to try to pry your hood open before they break a window to get to the interior, which is where valuable stuff is usually stowed.

Outstanding explanation of the issue. The key advise was the tip on checking if the side lights were going on when locking the car. They weren’t so I was pretty confident your tips would work. I replaced the hood latch in 10 minutes. Issue resolved. Thanks Dan!

Your video is showing step by step. The best video I have ever seen. My 2018 MDX is experiencing the same problem one year after yours. I did not know how to open the engine cover until a month ago after my car was experiencing warning lights on the dashboard. A simple fix may cost you a big fix at the dealership. I just paid $2000 a few days ago for the replacing the emblem(the main or only problem) and camera(maybe not the problem). This video maybe will solve my issue without paying another $1000 at the dealership again. A big Thanks to you!!

Thank you so much! This has been driving me CRAZY!!!!!!

Thank you very much. This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen. Very informative and thorough.

Thank you so much I have a 2014 Honda pilot that is doing the wake up thing at inopportune moments I will be checking out the hood latch tomorrow

Thanks for making this video! It also generated some great comments!

Great video Dan, I currently have 3 Acura's and 2 Honda's......... This helps. Thanks for the detailed video.

My 2009 Acura TL was starting to have it alarm go off all the time randomly. Often in the middle of the night. This video helped me. I just disconnected the hood switch, and although the lights don't flash, the alarm is not going off anymore. I'll replace the switch soon.

Thank you

I hope this is the fix my daughter’s car needs!

Love the video now for some Honda key programming videos😅

Acura MDX 2017, alarm was going off, mostly at the night time driving me and my neighbours crazy. Tried the trick with sensors, didn’t help, installed the new battery - didn’t help. Sometimes the head lights were turning on a minute before the alarm sound. Paid $3,000 at Acura dealership for new “dash wiring harness”. The problem stayed the same. Send it back to the dealership, after consulting with “Acura Canada 🇨🇦” the KEYLESS ACCESS UNIT was replaced for $750 and the problem was solved. Since the last repair - no problems. Enjoying the silence. For those who got the same problem - start with the KEYLESS ACCESS UNIT replacement.

Clear, concise, good video thank you very much, that's out of my league though. I probably can't do that. Try some W.D. lubricant or something. Have a great day.

Good info Dan, thanks. I had an alarm issue with my '07 Accord when the battery in my key Fob died. The car's receiver wasn't getting the proper signal to unlock the doors so when I used the key, it tripped the alarm. A new battery for the key Fob fixed the problem.

gonna try this out. got a 2006 acura tl amd the battery keeps dying due to the alarm going off so frequently

What if I don’t turn on the alarm? Is that a temporary fix until I get the new sensor?

The super cheap fix is just to unplug it. It will keep the neighbors happy while waiting on parts. Been waiting for a few years now, only issue is when it goes to the dealer they plug it back in! Least they are looking for issues! I should mention this is on a 2012 pilot mid grade spec.

I uninstalled the hood latch assembly, cleaned it really good, and reinstalled it. Now my "talkback" doesnt work at all when I lock it :( I adjusted the latch height a few times. 2018 Honda Accord Sport 1.5t