Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - 5816MN Not Reporting to control panel

I have a SecurityLink SL150 (modified Vista-20SE) system. The other day one of my 5816MN wireless transmitters sent a Check message at 3am (go figure). I could not get it to report to the control panel even when I opened it (tamper switch didn't trip the panel either). I noticed the RF antenna may have contacted the + side of the battery so I assume the unit is toast and I'm going to replace it. Not a huge deal.

I then began checking other sensors and noticed another 5816MN not reporting in either but there is no error on the keypad. When I trip the device nothing shows up. When I open the device, the control panel doesn't sense the tamper. I changed the battery, nothing! I even tried opening the window with the alarm armed in instant mode, nothing!

I then went and checked the programming of the zone. Everything looks good and it has the correct serial number. I checked another zone with a similiar device and everything is the same except the serial numbers which is expected. I have a second unit mounted directly next to the inoperative device and they a seperated by a wood window casing. This unit does report correctly. I'd say they are about a foot apart. Both units worked fine when I initially installed them about 3 years ago after having replacement windows installed.

Any idea what might be wrong with the inoperable unit?

It's not uncommon for the reed switches in alarm contacts, even wireless ones to fail in the stuck closed position. Nearby lightning strikes can sometimes "flash" these devices.

You can try deleting the transmitter, and re-learn it. If it doesn't re-enroll, then it's probably toast.

Interesting response. It just so happens a couple of weeks ago, lightening struck somewhere a couple houses down from. I saw the bolt but couldn't see where it hit. The lights flickered a little but nothing in my house seemed to be affected. Or so I thought.

I will take a look and try your suggestion. Thanks.

Ok, I replaced the 2 bad transmitters and enrolled them in the same zones as the previous ones. After enrolling them and testing the sytem, neither of them reported in to the control panel. Howerver, the tamper reported in on both of them (after opening the cover).

I then deleted both zones and readded them. Both of them started reporting in but then 2 other zones which previously worked did not report in. I readded both those zones and then I was back to my original problem with the previous 2 zones not reporting in.

I cold booted the system (removed AC and battery power). Same problem. Both new zones stopped reporting in. All other zones seemed ok.

I then deleted the 2 zones and moved them to 2 new zones only this time instead of manually entering the serial numbers, I allowed the system to detect them. After I was done, one of the zones worked and them a zone which previously worked stopped working.

I am wondering if I have a bad RF received board in the control panel? It is a 5882-3 board. The red light is constantly on and the green light is flashing on/off every few seconds (quick flash). Is this correct?

Any advice would be very helpful. If I can't fix it, I'll contact my alarm buddies. Thanks.

You know, it's very uncommon for a receiver board to fail, but I'm starting to lean that way. The only other time I've seen such odd behavior was when someone put their wireless router on a shelf that happened to be directly behind the closet with the alarm can and it's receiver.

The wireless router I have is near one of the devices that is not reporting but directly next to it is one that does. So I don't think it's that but I will try disconnecting it to see if there is a difference.

I've search the Net but cannot find an exact replacement for the 5882-3 card in my control panel. So I guess I could purchase a 5881 since that seems to be compatible. Since this system is 9 years old I'm leaning towards just purchasing a whole new device. I need one with at least 18 zones and is compatible with the 5800 series wireless devices (window sensors and wireless smokes). I was thinking the Vista-20P

Any thoughts?