Things You'll Need
Broom
Phillips screwdriver/Torx screwdriver
A wireless driveway alarm is designed to sound off when a car rolls past a sensor on the driveway. A false alarm is not only vexing -- it can cause the homeowner to ignore the alarm when it goes off despite there being the actual presence of a car n the driveway. You can troubleshoot the reasons why a wireless driveway alarm functions erratically or not at all. A few household supplies will be of help here, but no electrical skills are required.
Step 1
Inspect the driveway for tree branches and other debris that is large enough to trip the sensor situated at one side of the driveway. Remove any such interference from the driveway. Sweep the driveway clean of dirt and other contaminants that can be picked up by the wind and blown against the sensor -- use a broom for this.
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Step 2
Open the control panel lid on the side of the wireless driveway alarm's receiver unit. If screws hold the lid closed, remove the screws first using a Phillips screwdriver or a Torx screwdriver -- the type of screws will depend on the manufacturer. Adjust the "sensitivity" knob in the control panel compartment to a lower setting so as to reduce the sensitivity of the wireless driveway alarm's response -- if there are two switches for this purpose, turn the "Motion" sensitivity switch to the "Off" position, followed by turning the "Distance" switch next to it also to "Off." Close the control panel lid and reattach the screws.
Step 3
Loosen the set screws at the base of the wireless driveway alarm's transmitter unit -- a Phillips screwdriver or a Torx screwdriver will be used, depending upon the type of screws the manufacturer has installed.
Angle the pole that the transmitter unit is attached to so that the front-mounted infrared dome is pointing at a 45 degree angle towards the receiver unit, instead of straight on. Tighten the set screws on the base. The more extreme angle will disallow interference from higher-placed objects that cross over the driveway.
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