Car Alarms: Car Alarm - Heat Activated, toyota 4runner, dash area

Question
I have a 1998 Toyota 4Runner with the factory installed alarm.  Every day (except winter) once the Texas sun warms my car, the alarm goes off.  I think the heat is triggering it, so I always crack the windows, seek to park in shade etc.  It is very annoying.  Do you know what is really happening, and what I can do to fix it?  Thanks!

Joe

Answer
Hi Joe.
  The alarm seems to be doing it's job.
At least we know it's installed correctly
which is actually a good thing here.
Sorry, but the 98 4Runner does not have
a factory installed "OEM" alarm system.
I this case, they probably installed an
aftermarket system at the dealership.
(quite normal for Toyotas & Hondas)
But it's unlikely there is a heat sensor.

Ok, try this.
Put the key in the ignition, and turn forward
all the way just before cranking. Then within
5 seconds, locate, press and hold in the
valet/overide button, found under the
dash area, (push button, spring loaded)
until the installed LED (the blinking light)
in your dash area goes on solid,
and the siren chirps once.

(Your valet switch might be the toggle
(on/off) type. in this case, key on,
flip switch in opposite direction,
then turn the key off.)

This should reset the alarm, and reset
the grounded relay on the starter wire,
allowing you to start the engine.

At this point, the only thing working would
be the keyless entry from the alarm,
if it came equipped that way.

Just Repeat these steps to place it
back to usable armed mode.
You may get 2 chirps, confirming it,
and the lights may flash twice as well.

That should do it.
If you want to remove it at this point,
take it to your neighborhood installer
for this, or buy the wiring chart
(Go to: www.vehiclewires.com)
for the vehicle, and reverse engineer it wire
by wire, until safely removed.

If it does not work out this way,
you will have to replace the system
with one you know how to operate
and what to expect. Don't want to
get stuck in another bad situation.
Lot's on sale at my site
www.CARPROTECTOR.com

Let me know what happens.

Robert Martin/CEO-ALARMTEK
www.CARALARMINSTALLER.com