Ghost in the Machine

Apparently, my rental car is haunted. I don't have any explanation for the bizarre events which have transpired in recent days. There has to be a logical explanation, but I have to say that this is a case that I'm not even sure Click and Clack the Tappet Bros. could figure out.

So three nights ago, I awoke to a start to the sound of what I assumed (in my groggy, comatose state), to be my cell phone alarm blaring away at such volumes that it could wake up the neighborhood. By the time I found my cell phone, and turned on the light, the sound had died away. I looked out the window at my car, wondering if I had actually heard the car alarm going off, but all I saw was a black and white cat scurrying away. I chalked it all up to a bad dream, and assumed that my car hadn't actually made any noise whatsoever. If it had been the car, it would have been the car alarm, and since I didn't see any flashing lights, I had to conclude it was all the product of a bizarre, Santa Cruz dream.

The following night, at around the same time, I was awakened again. This time it was indeed by my car's horn. This was roughly at 2:00 in the morning, and the horn sounded as if someone was inside the car, laying on the horn for between a half a minute to a minute. This time I knew it was real, so I scurried to find my car keys, and turn off as soon as possible what I thought must be the alarm. The car horn stopped before I found the keys, and I looked out the window with much relief, only to see that same dastardly cat scurrying away again.

My conclusion was that the cat had gotten on top of the car, and somehow set off the alarm. But this was a bizarre alarm, since there were no blinking lights, and the horn was nothing but a solid tone. I decided the following evening, I would just leave the car unarmed, so that this stupid cat wouldn't be able to disturb my sleep or the neighbors.

When I got home for bed last night, I made sure to not set the alarm, and just in case the horn/alarm did go off again, I had my keys at the ready within easy reach. It was with some trepidation that I lay down for bed, and hoped that my plan would work.

Once again, however, at roughly 2:00 in the morning, the horn went off again. Prepared for this unfortunate eventuality, I jumped out of bed and grabbed the keys right away. I pushed every button on the key remote, to no avail. All it did was turn on all the headlights and tailights, which just made more of a nuisance and annoyance to the neighbors. Dogs started barking madly, as I futilely attempted to stop the blaring noise that assualted the night air. Visions ran through my head of me running downstairs to the car, and driving away with the horn blaring with nothing on but my boxers, my final recourse to stop the madness. Finally, though, the horn stopped, after about the same minute or so of constant blaring, and the night was quiet again except for the barking of the neighbor's dog, who apparently is named Rusty, since his barking was followed by a voice clamoring out into the night, "Rusty, be quiet."

What can you do? This car seems to have a mind of its own. I'm sort of intrigued by what might happen tonight, but I may actually just take out the fuse for the horn. Knowing the track record of this car, however, it might just start itself up and drive right into my apartment.

Anyone have any experience with impish cars? Please advise.