Car Alarms: Lexus Auto Alarm Wont Arm/Disarm Very Well, 1998 lexus es300, keyless entry system


Question
QUESTION: My 1998 Lexus ES300 alarm remote doesn't work very well. You need to be standing in front of the car and press is several times to get it to arm or diasarm. I've replace the remote and battarys. Is there something under the hood I need to trouble shoot? Can any alarm dealer work on this or do I need to go to the dealer? Thanks for all your help.
John->Houston, Texas

ANSWER: I need to determine whether it's a factory alarm
issue or, if it's an aftermarket system you are
dealing with.

Is it: Headlights flashing, car horn honking
and a worded SECURITY" light in the dash flashing?
(doubtfull since none of the notes show this
car as having a factory alarm system)=FACTORY

Or,

is it: flashing parking lights,
an LED in the dash area, and a siren
going off?= AFTER MARKET

Let me know more on this to better
advise you on a course of action
to take.

Best Regards,

Robert Martin
CEO/ALARMTEK
CARALARMMAN.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your speedy reply Mr. Martin. This is a factory Installed Alarm System.

Answer
Problematic.

Ok, a bit complicated.
 This system depends on the physical action
of the door lock locking and unlocking-arming and disarming.
If you have a factory remote, that would do this to
specifications.

This can only be achieved 3 ways:

1. Use key in the drivers door, turn left,
then right to disarm and unlock.

2. Add an after market keyless entry system to emulate
the factory remote functions. I have several models
if this option suits you.

3. Acquire or, replace the original remote that
can control it as specified. This would be at the
local dealership parts department.

(This is why there is no wire you could ground
without affecting the door lock system.
A single negative pulse to the unlock wire will disarm
without unlocking, yes, but would always disable the
locking mechanism. Not good.)

Keep in mind, if this is after market
(siren and flashing parking lights)
then it's a different method entirely.

The standard method to disables as follows:

Look under the dash area for a button or, a toggle
switch. When you locate it, turn on the ignition
key, press and hold in the button (little
spring loaded micro button, red or black possibly)
until the alarm chirps 1 time. This should over ride
the system, and only the keyless entry part,
if installed, would still be operating.
The LED (light emitting diode) light in the dash
should also go on solid. If it's a toggle type,
then key on, flip the switch in the other direction
This would be OVERRIDE/VALET mode.

Repeat this process to toggle back to service mode.

Lastly this car has a transponder in the ignition key
and ignition column. if this system is in "TAMPER MODE"
and the fuel rail has shut down, there is nothing
you can do personally to disable it. The dealer will need
to put it into a diagnostic reset through they're
code reader writer system in the service dept.

Those are the option I can offer here on this car.

Let me know what applies
to your issues.

R. Martin - ALARMTEK