I have just purchased my car, a 98 EX coupe a few days ago.

After some preliminary sleuthing, I have determined that when the factory radio was replaced, they just replaced the alarm system at the same time, rather than use the harness to retain factory alarm system.

I was a little concerned when i pushed the arm button on the alarm, that the siren didn't chirp. I noticed the red LED stays on ALL the time. After some looking, it means it's in valet mode. To turn that off, I need to find the switch, but I don't know where it is. I know what kind of alarm it is now, it's old. It's a DEI made RATTLER 100 series. I opened the hood and saw a DEI branded siren bolted to the firewall.

Here is my question:
What are some normal locations for an installer to put the valet switch (if it was even wired up)?

Is there a way to take it out of valet mode with the remote?

I was able to put it in panic mode too.

Last question (2 part): If I decide to put another DEI alarm system in, will the harness from the one installed now just be plug and play? Also, if not, does anyone know of a good alarm installer in Jacksonville or Orange Park?

I didn't even know where the alarm was until right before I closed up the dash. I was looking at where the LED wire went. It was spliced in a bunch of places, but my eye caught a couple of black zip ties under the steering colum. I didn't take it out, but at least i know where it is now.

I also know that the alarm locks the doors when I start the car and but it in gear, and unlocks them when I put it in park. I thought it was 3 seconds after the car starts?

 

open the door and press lock,unlock,lock, unlock and that should take it out of valet mode.

 

I think I should also add that button one is supposed to arm/lock, button two is supposed to disarm/unlock. Button one does both.

Thanks though I will go try that!

 

Okay, so I opened the door and tried that. It beeped at me, but that's about it. Light is still on, it still doesn't chirp, it still ignores me opening the door with the alarm "armed"

 

Normally the valet switch/button would be mounted within reach of the driver, however there is no "normal" place to put it.

Go back to under the dash and the alarm brain and find the valet switch plug and follow the lead to it.

It is unlikely that the plugs will be the same on a newer DEI system, but then again if the LED lines have a number of connections, what about the rest of the install, you really don't want to use a wiring harness that someone just "hacked" in, and if that is the alarm brain strapped to the steering column, you would want to relocate that to a "stealthier" location. 94

BTW a model number for the alarm would help a lot, it will be on the brain.