My alaram never worked, i bought the car like this.

1. Its a two button code alaram.
2. I can arm the car, and then open the car with a key, than start it up without it going off.
3. I can arm the car, and than kick it, puch it do whatever, the alaram doesnot go off.
4. I do have batteries, because the doors do lock and unlock.

the freakin auto alaram places here will charge me $45 dollars an hour just to look at it, please does anyone have any experience with this.

 

its probably on valet, is the led on constantly? when on valet, the alarm is nothing but power locks.

 

Yes. Yes. and Yes. You're correct.

So, how to go about fixing this ???

 

try disconnecting battery

 

I did, no luck.

 

um no. Find your valet switch. Stick the key in the ignition to the acessory position, flip the switch within 3 seconds, then take the key out.

When you put the key in the ignition after doing this, your led should not be constantly on and your alarm will work fine.

Good Luck

-Rage

 

its "alarm" not alaram (as in the title, message, brand)..

anyway your alarm is probably in valet mode.. where the LED is on/lit constantly and it doesn't do anything except lock and unlock the doors via the remote...

try looking under your dash, in glovebox, center console, etc.. for where the installer "hid" the program/valet switch.. when u find it.. stick your key into the ignition and turn your key to "ON" position.. press/flick the switch and hold it and see if the LED goes off.. then turn your key to OFF... now see if the alarm works.. when u arm it.. it should lock your doors, the LED should blink.. and the siren should go off when u give impact to the car.. or open a door... (this is assuming the alarm still works and is operating correctly)...

 

I went all up under the steering wheel column, and i can't seem to find a switch or a button for that. are there any other place where the installer could of hid it. Its a 96 honda civic Ex.


[Modified by sshaikh01, 6:10 AM 6/25/2002]

 

if you took off the lower steering column.. cant you find the brain and trace the wiring back to a switch? theres lots of places that the switch can be hidden... the reason why its hidden (unless its like cliffords plain view/coded valet or DEI's "ghost switch") is because once its found (by a theif) your alarm will be de-activated even if it was armed... its really hard to say where it could be.. as since I'm not at the car/cant see the car.. my guess is as good as yours...

 

Thanks, thats a good idea, i will go and trace the wires in the morning.

Thanks again.

 

how does the coded switches or this ghost switch work, and can i rewire it to work with an existing alarm (if no..i'll find a way damnit!)

-Rage

 

I don't personally own a newer Viper/DEI unit.. so maybe someone else that has it or an installer can explain Viper/DEI's ghost switch.. I think its tied into one of the stock buttons (ie.. hazard, power window, a/c switch, etc.. one of hte stock buttons.. to use as your valet..).. i'm not sure on this though..

on Clifford I actually have a Clifford alarm in my car... so on the coded valet.. you assign the brain a 3 digit code... and there are 2 positions/buttoms on the coded valet...

lets say your code is 1 2 3 (for simplicity/came up w/ this randomly)... so you press the number/input button ONCE (1) for your code 1... then u press the other button/position to "shift" digits and you press the number/input button TWICE (2) to enter your 2nd digit code 2 (code 123)... then u press the "shift" button again to shift to the 3rd digit and press the number key 3 times... then press the switch to enter valet mode and the LED will glow red.... if you keep entering wrong codes.. or a theif tries to sit there guessing.. after getting repeated wrong codes... the alarm brain will stop taking in codes for a few minutes.. so that the theif can't just sit there and try to guess the valet code...

of course.. I can just enter valet mode much easily via the remote 2 presses of the shift (side) button.. and a press of one of the primary (on top/face) buttons.. and its in valet.. but I'd still need to remember the valet code in case my remote is lost, stolen or battery dies... but this way even if the theif finds/see's your valet switch.. they'd still need to know your code to deactivate the alarm... or rip out your dash and find the brain and stuff..

hope that helps.. sorry i couldn't explain the viper ghost switch in detail.. cuz I don't actually own a Viper...

 

 

still can't help you from the image supplied..sorry... in most cases.. valet switches are black/plastic switches.. they are either SMALL push button spring loaded switches (approx 1/4" circle) or a larger toggle switch... given its size.. it can be hidden in a lot of places since your at the car.. look around for it... sorry I know that isn't much help.. but w/out being at the car.. my guess is as good as yours.. I know what the switch looks like.. but am not at the car.. Ur at the car but don't know what the switch looks like.. so yeah...

edit: OK I went to Ebay and searched "CODE ALARM" to see if i could find any alarms for you that had pix so u can see what the valet switch looks like..


if the link image doesnt work.. click the link. .and enlarge the lower pic and look at the switch

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=1362382756
see the little black switch?




[Modified by GSRaCeRbOI, 12:01 PM 6/25/2002]

 

also try in and around your e-brake, in glove compartment, or ashtray.

hey grsacerboi, you said you used your alarm remote to help enter valet, is this custom or part of your system? I was thinking of using the latching relat that's controlled by my 3rd button on alarm to sorta open and close the valet circuitry, and possibly a relay hooked on the inside to Hold the circuitry in whatever state i want it in (open or closed)

-Rage

 

its part of the system.. my alarm has a 16 channel remote.. and remote valet mode is standard... I think most of the upper model Cliffords which has more buttons/channels on the remote can do this.. when I had a viper it could also do this... on the side of the Clifford remote there is a "shift" button.. on the face there are 4 buttons... regularly.. the 4 buttons are channel 1, 2, 3, 4... when u press the shift once.. they become ch 5, 6, 7, 8.. if u press the shift twice.. the top buttons transmit channels 9, 10, 11, 12.. and if you press it again.. well you get the point.. 16 channels... but yeah thats how I usually enter valet mode.. thru the alarm cuz its easier.. I only use the coded valet to either enter valet if my alarm remote battery is dead, I lost the remote, or something where I can't use the remote.. since its easier to just press the remote than to enter the code and everything..

on the viper I had before.. it was a 4 button remote.. to enter valet mode.. w/ the door open it was some sequence like pressing button I (but not holding it down..or else the alarm arms).. then pressing button II.. then pressing button I again.. then it would enter valet mode..yeah something like button I, II, I.. then it entered valet I forget.. havent had that alarm/car for a long time now..

 

if it has seperate lock and unlock buttons, try "lock...unlock....lock" thats how mine works and its a viper. they're all different, so it probably wont work. but its worth a try. you can look up the maker's page and see if there are any directions that might help you cause it might be possible to do it from the remote if you cant find the switch.