Car Alarms: Aftermarket Alarm not allowing to start car, jeep grand cheerokee, tow truck driver

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1998 Jeep Grand Cheerokee Laredo I bought used 2 years ago. It has an aftermarket alarm. I have never had problems until yesterday. I was shopping thru our the morning and when I went to leave Kmart my remote would not unlock the doors or disarm the alarm. I used the key to unlock the drivers door. When I got in I could hear a buzzing sound coming from the area behind where the lighter is. When I tried to start the Jeep it would beep at my as though the alarm was not disarmed. I ended up having AAA tow me the 15 miles home. And here I sit. The tow truck driver said my only option was having the alarm removed which would cost around $1000. I'm hoping for another option a bit cheaper.

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)
Or,
is it: flashing parking lights,
an LED in the dash area, and a siren
going off?

Let me know more on this to better
advise you on a course of action
to take, to help you to fix this
situation you're in quickly.

Best Regards,

Robert Martin
CEO/ALARMTEK
CARALARMMAN.com

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

QUESTION: It is definately an aftermarket alarm not a factory alarm. The alarm only is beeping when I try to start the the Jeep, I normally just unlock the doors and it will allow me to start the car. However the doors will only unlock manually now.

ANSWER: Gotcha, let's put it into valet/service mode.

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 emiting diode) light in the dash
should also go on solid.

At this point. the alarm would have reset.
You would repeat these steps to go back to
user mode to see if this was corrected.

Let me know if it works for yours.

ALARMTEK
INSTALLSUPPORT.COM

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

QUESTION: I could not find a toggle or button, there is a pin hole just above the little red light under the dash however pushing it in when the key is in the ignition seemed to do nothing. However my husband had me put it in neutral so he could push it further back in the driveway, and once he pushed it and I put on the brake and put it back in park I heard a chirp, so I clicked unlock on my remote and sure enough it worked and the Jeep started. My thought is I may have a short, I'm not sure how often it will start. Do you think I should take it to someone who installs aftermarket alarms or to the dealer who said the only option is to remove it completely.

Answer
Yes ma'am do that before this issues strands you
somewhere. I would go to an after market alarm installer
this week for an over all inspection.

If it needs to be removed/replaced,
a good & reputable tech will tell you honestly.

Best to be safe then sorry,

A.