QuestionQUESTION: Ted: I managed to hook up the battery backwards in my 95 Corolla; I replaced the battery and it ran fine for about a week. Then it died (in traffic) and would not restart. Unknown to me before, it seems to have a door lock / theft deterrent system ECU (and door control relay, big orange box). If I connect the battery, turn the key to ON, everything seems fine. As soon as I turn the key to Start, the starter clicks once, then everything goes VERY dead. If I remove the battery cable for 5-10 minutes, then reconnect it, it comes back to life. The door lock controls seem to work as they should from the drivers door key. The system also goes dead if I run a jumper to the starter relay coil or to the starter solenoid itself. I cannot seem to disarm the theft control. All the fuses and fusible links tested good. Engine is a 7AFE, about 150K miles. I've tried several variations of turning on and off the ignition switch, locking and unlocking the drivers door with the key, etc. I'd just like to get it to run, I don't need an alarm / theft system. Can it be bypassed safely?
ANSWER: CANCELING OF THE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM IN THE SET CONDITION
Check if the theft deterrent indicator light is blinking.
Canceling Operation
When any of the following operations (a), (b) or (c) is performed, the theft deterrent system is canceled
and indicator light will go off.
(a) Unlock the left or right front door using the key.
(b) Insert the ignition key in the ignition key cylinder and turn it to the ACC or ON position.
(This is operative only when the theft deterrent system has never operated.)
(c) Unlock the luggage compartment door with the key.*1
The theft deterrent system is temporarily canceled only while the luggage compartment door is
open. Approximately 2 seconds after the luggage compartment door is closed, the theft deterrent
system is reset.
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QUESTION: Ted: I did all of the above and the car started; test drove and let it run for about 1/2 hour. About 1 hour later, repeated procedure and tried to restart it. Same as before, the system went dead upon turning the key to START. While the door lock functions seem to be working properly, should I consider replacing the ECU? Or look for another problem? Thanks
ANSWER: When this happens do the headlights turn on bright, it may not be an alarm issue. Can you decribe what the remote looks like or upload a photo of it, I just want to make sure which system you have.
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QUESTION: Headlights don't flash or turn on at all. Don't have a remote; or the indicator light / security plate of the port-installed system. Can't find an alarm module, which should have been under the driver's seat. Would seem instead to be a factory system. Have some pretty good schematics, but they just show one (supposedly pink) wire going to "door lock control/theft deterrent ECU" or "alarm module". This wire is apparently energized when the key is turned to START, but I can't positively identify it. Still interested in disabling / bypassing system, to avoid future trouble. Thanks!
AnswerThere is a difference between theft deterrent and keyless entry, theft deterrent may be factory installed but the keyless entry on this model was dealer or port installed. The factory theft ecu is located under the glove compartment on the right side, the keyless entry computer may be under the passenger seat or in the center console or even under the radio.
