Weird alarm system. How to program?

[987687]

All the subarus I've seen from the 90 with an alarm system have that sort of oval black remote with the grey buttons on it. And the alarm is just hooked up to the horn. But my 98GT has a different one. The remote is square, black, with two black square buttons. It does say SUBARU on it. So it's not some aftermarket company. Dealer option?

It has this really obnoxious siren that I cut the wire to, and a red button inside that lights up on the dash.

 

I'm looking for info on how to program it, I can find all kinds of stuff for the other type, but nothing for this.

It only unlocks the driver's door, no matter how many times I hit the unlock button. So then I have to hit the unlock all button inside. Annoying, is there any way I can program it to unlock all on the second press of unlock, like every other car out there?

 

Thanks.

[johnceggleston]

press and hold the unlock button and see if that will unlock all the doors. mine does.

 

no manual in the glove box?

 

check www.cars101.com for programing info, i think.

 

i don't know how to do it, but some have a way you can ''program'' it not to sound the alarm. that way you don't have to cut the wire.

Edited February 15, 2011 by johnceggleston

[Scoobywagon]

There are a number of companies that produce "factory" alarm systems. Chief among them is audiovox. The remotes will have a factory logo on them, but they are NOT original equipment. The best thing to do is to locate the brain for the system and identify it. There should be a model number on the unit itself. google that model number and, with a little digging, you should be able to find appropriate programming instructions.

[987687]

So I found this on cars101

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/keyless.html#code%20alarm

 

That's the one I have. But it doesn't give a whole lot of information. And neither does my owners manual. My manual gives info on the other sysetm, the one with the round key button. Which is a very different system, had an outback with that. Not the same at all.

 

I also haven't found the button under the dash yet, just means I haven't looked hard enough.....

 

 

Anyway, anyone have more info on the system? I'm specifically wondering if I can get another remote so I have two. It gives instructions on programming a remote to the system, but if I just get a random remote, will it accept both?

 

Also, what exactly is valet mode? What does it do?

Edited February 17, 2011 by 987687

[Scoobywagon]

there isn't necessarily a valet button under the dash. depending on the system, there are lots of installers that don't put it in. Usually, valet mode disables the door triggers but retains any other triggers such as hood and trunk.

 

You'll need to root around under the dash to find the brain of the unit you have. Identifying it means you'll know exactly what you have and that'll let you do things like find a manual for it and order remotes. You could also take the remote you have to a car stereo shop. They can frequently order new remotes by simply finding another of whatever you have. Then its just a matter of programming the new remote(s). Usually, when you buy new remotes, they come with programming instructions.

 

No, you can't just buy some random remote. It doesn't work that way. It is possible that you can get remotes unlike the one you have that will still work. That's because most of these dealer option systems are just rebadged something else. DEI and Audiovox do that all the time, but DEI is just known for doing that. The nice thing about that is that DEI is really good about supporting their product. You can still buy replacements for every remote DEI has ever made.

 

So, track down the brains of this unit. It is likely behind the driver's kick panel, but could also be up under the dash, attached to the main wiring harness up there.

[987687]

Thanks for the advise. It IS a subaru system, even under the hood it says if you remove the battery you have to turn on the key and push the button under the dash to make the alarm stop if you don't have the remote. That's why I was wondering if I could just get another same-type subaru remote and have two. I'll have to search for the brain. The ignition switch must plug into it for the ignition disable, so I'll start by tracking were that wire goes.

 

 

there isn't necessarily a valet button under the dash. depending on the system, there are lots of installers that don't put it in. Usually, valet mode disables the door triggers but retains any other triggers such as hood and trunk.

 

You'll need to root around under the dash to find the brain of the unit you have. Identifying it means you'll know exactly what you have and that'll let you do things like find a manual for it and order remotes. You could also take the remote you have to a car stereo shop. They can frequently order new remotes by simply finding another of whatever you have. Then its just a matter of programming the new remote(s). Usually, when you buy new remotes, they come with programming instructions.

 

No, you can't just buy some random remote. It doesn't work that way. It is possible that you can get remotes unlike the one you have that will still work. That's because most of these dealer option systems are just rebadged something else. DEI and Audiovox do that all the time, but DEI is just known for doing that. The nice thing about that is that DEI is really good about supporting their product. You can still buy replacements for every remote DEI has ever made.

 

So, track down the brains of this unit. It is likely behind the driver's kick panel, but could also be up under the dash, attached to the main wiring harness up there.

[Scoobywagon]

Thanks for the advise. It IS a subaru system, even under the hood it says if you remove the battery you have to turn on the key and push the button under the dash to make the alarm stop if you don't have the remote. That's why I was wondering if I could just get another same-type subaru remote and have two. I'll have to search for the brain. The ignition switch must plug into it for the ignition disable, so I'll start by tracking were that wire goes.

 

What I'm getting at is that I'll bet dollars against donuts that it ISN'T a factory system. Most factory systems don't have underdash valet switches or buttons. Additionally, most factory systems don't use add on sirens. They use the horn. Though I admit that it is possible to add a siren on to some factory systems. As for getting another "same type subaru remote", that may or may not work. Audiovox has made a number of remotes that look almost EXACTLY like a factory remote but, obviously, have Audiovox guts in them. In such a case, an ACTUAL subaru remote wouldn't work.