Alarm goes off every time the drivers side door is opened with key

2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING
45,000 MILES • AUTOMATIC
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ALLISON MAILLEY
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My car is a convertible. The alarm will go off every time you use the key to open the drivers door, the key does not work to unlock the passengers side. Initially thought we solved the problem by taking the batteries out of key fob which was pronounced non-working by the last owner. Wanted to see if it would work regardless and put some new batteries in it. First time the alarm was going off, took the batteries out of the key fob and the alarm ceased after maybe three minutes instead of running the whole duration, then it was drivable for the rest of the day without the alarm going off. That was two days ago. This morning my son gets up to go to work and the alarm is going off yet again. The car is still drivable while the alarm is going off! It is just really annoying.

The drivers side door is bent slightly out of shape due to a recent accident so that the edge of the door is slightly exposed to the outside. We live in a very humid/rainy climate so maybe the weather has some sort of effect on it?

Anyway, I was wondering how to fix this without going to the dealership. Will a new key fob fix this? Something else?
Jun 12, 2017 at 5:23 AM
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STEVE W.
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It sounds like the system is not recognizing the key switch to disarm the system. It is possible the accident damaged the door actuator enough that it caused this. If the alarm does not go off if you do not lock the door that would confirm that. I would try getting the key fob to work as a temporary repair. That would allow you to lock/unlock it without using the key. Then you will want to repair/replace the door and the lock actuator. That would return it to normal operation.
Jun 12, 2017 at 6:20 AM
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ALLISON MAILLEY
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Steve,

Thanks for your reply. Two days ago the alarm was going off, we took the key fob batteries out and the alarm stopped. Then we tested the door a few times just to make sure; opening and closing it, locking and unlocking it both with the key and manually and it was completely off. Could it still be the lock actuator?
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Jun 12, 2017 at 8:53 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Just to add to this one could be because of the door is all bent up and the door latch is not getting completely latched closed sometimes.
Jun 12, 2017 at 1:00 PM
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STEVE W.
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Seeing that image I agree the latch is not closing fully at times and is likely damaged as well. The alarm is activated when the door is locked and the switch in the latch assembly is fully closed with the handle seated. The handle is not making it to the fully latched position so the alarm is a hit or miss item.
Jun 12, 2017 at 1:49 PM