Factory alarm question

[Sarah]

Does anyone know what it costs to "re-key" the factory alarm system and would it even be worth it to do it?

I'm trying to decide if we should forgot it and just do an after market alarm with an auto lock/unlock thingy.

(A working alarm got put down on the "to do" list after the new dual muffler & 930s steering wheel are put in).

Thanks & I appreciate any suggestions. S~

[stomachmonkey]

I "discovered" the factory alarm on mine and I do not have a key either.

In the interim I have heard from many people that the factory alarm is problematic and should be avoided.

I have chosen to go the aftermarket route with door lock actuators.

I have seen the actuators on ebay for $5-10.

Roninlb has done this upgrade. Maybe he has some sage words of advice.

Scott

[Sarah]

Thank you!!

[Early_S_Man]

Sarah,

The cost of rekeying is the new lock and a pair of keys in the 'set' ... at around $65. It is a DIY job, and reasonably easy.

The only problem I am aware of with the factory alarm unit ... is a senitivity to high Voltage when your Voltage regulaor fails ... 17 - 20 Volts will kill the alarm control unit, and render your car immobile. However, spare alarm units can be found for $40 -$60 ...

My recommendation is to rekey your alarm, install a good VDO expanded-scale Voltmeter, and carry a spare alarm control module!

[NoLift911]

When I bought my car the alarm key was missing. I simply replaced the whole key/lock/mechanism. About $45 I think..was a few years ago.

I have not had any problems with my alarm but it is an odd procedure to arm or disarm.

-Jeff

[Sarah]

Thanks Warren - This was also very helpful. I'll print this for reference for when we get to the alarm.

[targa80]

There is a procedure in the repair manual for disabling the factory alarm. the module in my 80SC was located in the trunk behind the fiberboard that covers access to the rear of guages and windshield wipers. the module was mounted just right of the glove box looking at it from the trunk. I had to disconnect the connector and jumper two contacts on the harness connector(they were numbered on the alarm case either 61 or 16 ) . if for some reason the module fails or the key switch is set to alarm you won't be able to start the car. It will crank but won't fire. Plus you get a beeping horn located under the skid plate next to the fuel pump. In my own case I had removed both doors and wanted to turn the car around. No start and a beping horn. It took me about 10 minutes to get to the alarm and disconnect it.

[Sarah]

I just want an alarm that will be as "user-friendly" as possible.

Not too long ago one of my friends from out of state came over with her father's new car. Something my friend did made the alarm go off and it took us the longest time to get that dang alarm to shut off. It was actually pretty funny...but loud!

[APKhaos]

Has anyone adapted one of the many keyless entry kits to the stock electric doorlock actuators? Would like to 'button' lock/unlock the doors but dont want to add more weight and potentially unreliable actuators to the stock system. Possible?? Anyone BTDT?

[Calspeed]

Hello,

Since on this topic, what aftermarket alarms are recommended? It has been 15 years since I was in the market for an alarm. What are the high tech gizmos available on todays alarms? Do thet make things that will call your cell phone if thelarm is set off? Motion sensors for the Cabriolets?

Calspeed

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by APKhaos
Has anyone adapted one of the many keyless entry kits to the stock electric doorlock actuators? Would like to 'button' lock/unlock the doors but dont want to add more weight and potentially unreliable actuators to the stock system. Possible?? Anyone BTDT?

yeah, me.. I added the whole package..started w/bare bones

-started with relay/door lock motors kit/didn't like the motor mounting system
- bought factory lock motors and connector[a few different mfg make them]. I got the dealer stuff
-did a Viper alarm system for about $180 from Rod Birch/Car Audio Innovations and a Viper warning pager $forgot/cheap..
-the alarm brain to siren is low amp output to power only the small Viper siren.. the brain self destructs at 1+ amps.. so got a new one from Rod. now the brain only triggers a relay for Viper alarm siren and a compressor for air horns.. definately attracts attention.. almost ear damage
-spoke to a 30 year auto theft NY city cop/friend about this stuff.. naturally he said the usual stuff first.. so not good enough for me.. he smiled.. then said if you can find one of those engine kill delays that trigger a few minutes after car is started, it's your best shot.. he said the thief wants otta there when this happens down the road..he'll jump thru the first alarm thinking he's home free.. they do it fast.. and the $600 cop notification stuff is OK if no other PD stuff is happening.. the crooks know all about them.
so, my approach is a seperate/distinct layered system.. the more the better. and my brother in LA also uses a shifter lock gizmo on his '88.. you slide a U piece into a bolted bracket around the shifter.. gotta get one, WTF

[BGCarrera32]

Sarah-

The guy at parts desk at Carousel said the only way to obtain a replacement key is to replace the lock. A few months ago I checked with him and it was about $70. Obviously, you could go to a locksmith and they *might* be succesful making a key.

The factory alarm needs to be disabled correctly as stated above. I unplugged my module once, and the car didn't start, but it allowed the engine to sit there and crank- not keen on that.

For $70 your half on your way to a real alarm with a remote key fob, etc...I'd go that route IMO. I'd just find someone other than the teenagers at Best Buy to put it in...(but you knew that already).

Good luck-
BG

[Sarah]

BG - Carousel is where we'll probably go for the re-key...then we'll probably do a Viper system like Ron was talking about. The Viper seems to be a popular one.

Thanks again for all the input today!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Sarah,

Just be sure whoever installs your new alarm knows what s/he's doing. No need to ask me how I know: Looky what I found (bad, bad news)

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Sarah
...then we'll probably do a Viper system like Ron was talking about. The Viper seems to be a popular one.

Hey Sarah... sometimes they can be less than 100 feet away and show no mercy.. like in Kenya below.. the Viper has a big rep.. and I did Rod Birch/Car Audio Innovations because he does tons of 911s and will hold your hand for the install.. my attitude is find out what the alarm shops technique is, then do a different one.. the animals out there know what the shops do.. which is usually all the same install....

[pwd72s]

Thieves are indeed hyenas! Good pic Ron, for it depicts thieves well...the food was probably stolen from a big cat who did the honest labor. BTW. at Cambria 2001 gathering, Cris installed a great theft prevention device for all the R Gruppe cars....a couple of well armed and BIG guys cruising all the motel lots, in a random pattern. The flashing light on my dash probably wasn't needed.

[bell]

sarah.........ron is correct in saying installers/shops use the same tecnique on many cars, i can tell which of our installers did what at our shop, along with our "rivals" installs.
i've installed DEI (viper/sidewinder etc.) for years along with some other brands and the DEI stuff is the most reliable .....period

ron...........mmmmmmmmmm lunch

[Sarah]

You're right about experienced thieves knowing what to do about the alarms.

One of our friends who has 2 porsches & knows a lot about them uses a "kill switch." I'll have to talk to him about that again.

Thx, ~

[targa80]

If I were to put in a kill switch, I would tie the switch into the jumper wire on my previous post. With that jumper wire open the car is not going anywhere. Know thats a thought a kill switch with a timer that will kill the car after a set time if not disabled. I know there are off the shelf alarms with that feature. I'm thinking about a mod to the original factory unit to do the same thing. Well before I put the harness back in I will try some mods to see how it will work.

[Sarah]

Cool....let me know how it goes!