Listen real close at the handlebars and see if you hear a faint beep or click when you connect the lanyard. My alarm was about shot and I replaced it with a good used one tonight and now it works fine.
Mine almost never beeps (at least not that I can hear) and I have never had any problems with it (other than current problems that have nothing to do with electrics)....
If I put the tether on, and it starts, then I know its on ok.
just my opinion but I do not reccomend that you assume just because it starts that everything is ok....that buzzer is on there for a reason and can really help you out.