alarm chime in reverse

crb · 09-02-2007, 07:38 PM

Hi Guys,

Well I just picked up my brand new Focus Zetec which is fantastic.

The only thing I cannot seem to figure out is when I put it into reverse gear (manual) a quite loud alarm chimes on and off until I take it out of reverse?

There are no other warning lights and nothing in the manual and it just seems a little too loud for a warning, but you can't hear it externally.

So before I ring up the dealer and look like a goose is this normal?? Or have I missed something?

Thanks for your help.

Piotr · 10-02-2007, 12:55 AM

Does it have rear parking sensors? If so they could be faulty

crb · 10-02-2007, 09:03 AM

No it doesn't have rear parking sensors fitted, so have ruled that one out.

FOCUSonTHIS · 10-02-2007, 09:39 AM

I would take it to the Ford dealer. I reckon you wouldn't look like a goose because people go to the dealer for really stupid things. I think that is a annoying concern

crb · 10-02-2007, 09:51 AM

Thanks guys

I'll head down to the dealer and have a chat because it is bloody annoying.
Hopefully this is only problem for a while.

crb · 10-02-2007, 11:27 AM

Been back to the dealer. They tell me that it's a standard feature now that when in reverse there is an alarm bell that chimes till you take it out of reverse.

They couldn't tell me if they could disable it, as the mechanics aren't in on Saturday.

Seems a little strange, does everyone else's focus do that? Mine is a Jan '07.

Other than that it's perfect.

Zetec20 · 10-02-2007, 11:52 AM

sounds strange... unless you don't have your seatbelt on when you're reversing that could be it

crb · 10-02-2007, 12:22 PM

Good idea, but still chimes away when the seat belt is on.

Think I may have to get a 2nd opinion from another ford dealer in case my local guy is just brushing me off.

eXtremist · 10-02-2007, 12:29 PM

Its probably a safety feature so that you know you still have it in Reverse, and when the chime is going off, I guess it means you've got to watch out behind you?

used:

Curly · 11-02-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crb

Seems a little strange, does everyone else's focus do that? Mine is a Jan '07.

Ours is October '06 and doesn't do it. But we have reversing sensors.

11-02-2007, 09:53 AM

See if your reverse light is actually working...

zetec · 11-02-2007, 11:58 AM

Sounds like crap to me. If it's electronic, there's surely a a\way of disabling it and if thoe pricks at ffoc.co.uk hadn't made their site a subscription only, we'd probably be able to answer this easily. Keep at your Dealer.

crb · 11-02-2007, 12:22 PM

Hi Guys,

Just checked the reverse lights - fine.

Thanks all for your advice/ideas, I"ll get back to the dealer and keep nagging them like the helpless young female that they think I am till they fix it.

Great forum by the way, glad I found it.

melbzetec · 11-02-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

Sounds like crap to me. If it's electronic, there's surely a a\way of disabling it and if thoe pricks at ffoc.co.uk hadn't made their site a subscription only, we'd probably be able to answer this easily. Keep at your Dealer.

I've checked the FFOC site and "how to's". No mention of it, but I'll keep my eyes out (I'm a subscriber)

FOCUSonTHIS · 11-02-2007, 12:45 PM

You have too much money steve

Jess85 · 11-02-2007, 05:06 PM

i can ask my dad/bf for ya? dad used to work as manager at Ford and my bf is a salesman there??

crb · 11-02-2007, 05:13 PM

Hi Jess - that would be fantastic if you wouldn't mind asking your bf / dad.
Thanks a heap.

melbzetec · 11-02-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOCUSonTHIS

You have too much money steve

It cost me about $20 when I needed a "How to" which I knew they had. Good value I reckon.

And the thing is, the information is a lot better from the UK because the cars are virtually identical, whereas you have to be a little wary of the US stuff

Jess85 · 12-02-2007, 11:41 AM

I mentioned it to my bf last nite and he didnt seem to worried about it so may be it is normal. He didnt actually give me an answer tho..sorry i wasnt much help..i can try again 2nite

seaQuest_AMD · 12-02-2007, 11:54 AM

Cant say my LX beeps when I reverse...the bastard beeps when I turn the ignition on with no seatbelt however.

crb · 12-02-2007, 12:43 PM

Thanks Jess,
Don't worry about bothering your bf about it, thanks for your help anyways.

eXtremist · 12-02-2007, 07:22 PM

Have you tried calling 13FORD and asked the customer service representatives?

crb · 13-02-2007, 09:07 AM

That's an idea that I hadn't thought of. Will call them when I get home today.
Thanks

Focus Chick · 13-02-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seaQuest_AMD

Cant say my LX beeps when I reverse...the bastard beeps when I turn the ignition on with no seatbelt however.

Same, that's the only time my 2006 LX beeps...

BAW · 16-02-2007, 07:55 PM

Hi CRB - I have the same problem! Just got my shiny thing yesterday and the reverse alarm is annoying the crap out of me. I haven't had any passengers yet, it's going to be fun explaining its a 'safety' feature. I'm hoping its a computer programming glitch and can be turned off somehow. Ill play around this weekend and see what I can do. It's loud enough that you could probably hear outside the car so has some safety about it. hehe

crb · 18-02-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAW

Hi CRB - I have the same problem!

Good to know someone else has the same "problem". You're right about the passengers though - you have to explain it to everyone!

BAW · 09-03-2007, 08:35 PM

just take your car to the Ford service - they fixed mine in 5 secs

BFZ Wagon · 11-03-2007, 12:04 AM

Sounds like the Europeans have started putting the reverse alarm in their new cars too. Cars built for the Japanese Domestic Market have had reverse alarms in their cars for many years. It's an annoying feature when first used but I've gotten used to it in the cars I've driven.
I think it's so that if you put it into reverse.. you know it's still in reverse. It does happen.. I've seen people reverse in a carpark or in a drive-thru and stop and when they've gone to move forward, they've not released it's still in reverse and they've gone hurtling backwards! :rolleyes:

**Fordman1** · 11-03-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crb

Good to know someone else has the same "problem". You're right about the passengers though - you have to explain it to everyone!

Same deal, Zetec 5 spd Manual January Build 2007 (picked up late Feb almost straight off the boat). Damn annoying I'm going to get mine turned off (no reversing sensors of anything else - ie: seatbelts undone etc).

Jeeepers · 11-03-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crb

Been back to the dealer. They tell me that it's a standard feature now that when in reverse there is an alarm bell that chimes till you take it out of reverse.

They couldn't tell me if they could disable it, as the mechanics aren't in on Saturday.

Seems a little strange, does everyone else's focus do that? Mine is a Jan '07.

Other than that it's perfect.

The Wife's '04 Celica has this too. A reverse beeper inside the car... Nearly as pathetic as idiot lights on an auto gauge cluster.

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