When I try to retract the roof, an alarm goes off?

Tiny
DOMINIC2104
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 MITSUBISHI COLT
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 77,000 MILES
When I try to retract the roof, an alarm goes off. If I try to open the passenger side window the same alarm goes off, but the driver's side window does open and close. Occasionally the boot will open of its own accord when I am driving. The car is an old 2009. I have been quoted repair prices that far exceed the value of the car. Can anybody help? The vehicle wouldn't start for a day or so but then that problem disappeared, so I don't touch the window or roof buttons at all.
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 AT 6:01 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,193 POSTS
Their system is run by the BCM so it sounds like it is bad, but we should run the codes to see if any are stored, here is how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

You might want to try to reset the system with a hard reboot.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-performing-a-hard-system-reboot-for-your-vehicles-electronics-systems

Please let us know what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, February 27th, 2025 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
DOMINIC2104
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ken,

Thank you so much for your reply. My only concern is that the value of the car is lower than the value of the repair. I don't have access to diagnostic tools, so I am trying to fudge a cheap repair. What is a BCM? And, in your opinion, does the roof not folding down and the car failing to start for a day have anything to do with each other?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 2nd, 2025 AT 1:34 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,193 POSTS
The BCM is the body control module which controls the security system so the engine will not start when it malfunctions. Did you try the system hard reboot?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, March 2nd, 2025 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
DOMINIC2104
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ken, a mechanic did disconnect the battery and re-connect which I think is a reboot. But I am too scared to retract the roof and set off the alarms which may in turn stop the engine from starting.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 3rd, 2025 AT 1:13 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,193 POSTS
At least you know a reset will help the car get back to normal and the problem was just a glitch. Did you try the passengers window operation?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 3rd, 2025 AT 10:35 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Disarm Content

Security System Reset
GUIDE
Security System Reset
Need to re­set the se­cu­rity light in your car? If the se­cu­rity light is blink­ing the im­mo­bi­lizer sys­tem is en­abled and will not al­low the car to start.