Theft Deterrent System Won’t Activate

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by skipdogchip, Dec 13, 2006.

  1. skipdogchip

    skipdogchip Guest

    My keyless entry remote locks and unlocks the doors and trunk, even
    the panic button works...however, when I press the lock button twice
    the theft deterrent system will not activate. It was working fine up
    until yesterday. Any suggestions and help would be greatly
    appreciated.
    Thanks,
    Skipdogchip
     
    skipdogchip, Dec 13, 2006
    #1
  2. skipdogchip

    Tegger Guest


    It probably thinks the hood or trunk is still open. Check the switches at
    those locations.

    If you've recently bought the car used, be aware the previous owner may
    have disabled the alarm system to prevent it from going off all the time.
    This is done by disabling the hood switch.
     
    Tegger, Dec 13, 2006
    #2
  3. skipdogchip

    skipdogchip Guest

    Tegger,
    Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I did purchase the vehicle used. It
    is a 2000 Accord EX. The car did not come with a remote key fob even
    though the car had this option installed. I purchased the remote from
    my local Honda dealer and they programmed it for me. Everything
    worked great for about a week. Now, all of a sudden, the theft system
    won’t arm when I press the remote lock button twice...once to lock the
    doors and the second time to arm the system. Any further thoughts?
    Thanks again,
    Skipdogchi
     
    skipdogchip, Dec 13, 2006
    #3
  4. skipdogchip

    Tegger Guest



    In a private email, you asked me if I was aware of any bypass or Valet mode
    for the system. No, I'm not. But I don't think there is one.

    The Owner's Manual for your car mentions no Valet mode, so it looks like
    the only "Valet" function is that provided by the Valet key that should
    have come with the car. And all that does is lock out the trunk.

    If the security system refuses to arm, the most likely culprits are still
    the door/trunk/hood switches. Are any of the doors shown as being open
    acording to the light on the dash? If not, then you still need to check the
    hood switch.
     
    Tegger, Dec 13, 2006
    #4
  5. skipdogchip

    skipdogchip Guest

    According to the dash, all doors are closed. I can still lock and
    unlock the doors remotely and open the trunk. The "Panic" button on
    the remote still works. The Honda dealer informed me that to activate
    the car "Theft Deterrent System" I needed to press the lock button
    on the remote twice.
    The first push locks the doors (no problem). The second push is to
    avtivate the alarm system, however when I push it all I hear is a
    click from the doors. The lights don’t flash and the horn doesn’t
    sound to let me know that the system is armed. Hood or trunk problem?
    Thanks again,
    Skipdogchi
     
    skipdogchip, Dec 14, 2006
    #5
  6. skipdogchip

    Tegger Guest



    The trunk switch is one of those monitored by the dashboard lamp. The hood
    is NOT monitored AT ALL. If the hood switch fails to function correctly,
    the system will think the hood is open, and will refuse to set the alarm.
    It will lock the doors, but not allow the alarm to be activated. You will
    not know by looking at the dashboard lamp that this has occurred.

    This is why I keep saying you need to check out the hood switch.

    Until you do that, and rule out the hood switch as the source of the
    trouble, there is not much more I can tell you.

    What you may want to do (after ascertaining the hood switch is working
    properly) is to have the dealer confirm that the remote has been correctly
    programmed. Programming involves a procedure known as a "chicken dance".
    Normally, this either works or it does not, so having the dealer confirm
    programming is a long-shot solution.

    Right now I think your hood switch is
    defective/dislodged/corroded/disconnected.
     
    Tegger, Dec 14, 2006
    #6
  7. skipdogchip

    Seth Guest

    What your dealer told you is WRONG. The Honda anti-theft system sets
    automatically 15 seconds after you lock the doors, hood and trunk from
    outside the vehicle (key, lock tab, door lock switch or remote transmitter).
    The chirp you get by pressing the button 2x is nothing more than
    confirmation.
    Do you actually have a "Security System Light" next to the driver door lock
    plunger that can be seen from outside the vehicle through the drivers
    window?

    If you actually have the security system, FIRST, do as Tegger says and check
    the hood pin switch. That is the only sensor on the alarm system that is
    not part of the monitor display (lights on dash to show what is open).

    If that's OK, test the alarm. Leave the window down. Arm the alarm and
    wait 20 seconds. Then open the car by reaching through the open window to
    unlock and pull door handle. Does the alarm go off and the lights flash?
     
    Seth, Dec 14, 2006
    #7
  8. skipdogchip

    skipdogchip Guest

    Seth,
    Thanks for your input. Yes, there is a little red LED next to the
    lock post. It used to flash (now...nothing). I also used to get a
    confirmation "chirp" to let me know the system was set
    (now...nothing). In the morning I will test the system as you
    suggest, it’s late and my neighbors wouldn’t appreciate my playing
    around with the alarm system. I will post back with the results. In
    the mean time, I will look into the hood pin suggestion.
    Thanks for your time,
    Skipdogchi
     
    skipdogchip, Dec 15, 2006
    #8
  9. skipdogchip

    skipdogchip Guest

    Seth,
    I tested the alarm system as you suggested (twice). No alarm either
    time. So, let’s move on to testing the hood problem. How and what do
    I need to test this part of the alarm system?
    Thanks again for your help,
    Skipdogchip
     
    skipdogchip, Dec 15, 2006
    #9
  10. skipdogchip

    Seth Guest

    Find the hood pin switch. If memory serves me, the wire coming form the
    switch should show "open" when depressed and "ground" when up. If that test
    good then follow the wires as it may be shorted to ground somewhere along
    it's path. "ground" on that wire means the hood is open.
     
    Seth, Dec 18, 2006
    #10
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