Car Alarms: 1998 civic ex factory alarm, valet mode, dash area

Question
QUESTION: I was getting into my car at work today and the alarm started to go off (horn, lights flashing, stereo light blinking furiously).  The parameters were: alarm was never armed and doors were never locked.  I work on a secure Military installation so I leave the keys in the car and the car unlocked.  I tried to disarm the alarm with the key fob (key fob l.e.d blinked like normal) with no avail.  I then tried to start the car.  All of the normal dash lights came on right before the engine was suppose to turn over but the engine never cranked.  I had to disconnect the battery to shut the thing up.  I then disconnected the horn.  I was able to start the car by turning the ignition as soon as the battery was reconnected.  I drove the car home with the alarm activated but without the noise.  Please help.  I would rather not let a dealer touch it if possible.  I appreciate your time.  Please let me know if you need any more information.  Thank you, Scott.

ANSWER: I am thinking after market since I know of
no security in the 98 Civic.

To try to disarm it,
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.=VALET/OVERIDE

This stops the alarm except for the keyless
entry if installed. Once in Valet mode,
it will allow the car to start and operate
like there was no alarm at all.

The next step is if wanting to remove it,
you contact a local technician to
locate it, and affect neccesary service
for you.

That should solve the troubles.

Let me know what you discover.

ALARMTEK
CARALARMMAN.COM

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

QUESTION: I spent about a half-hour under the dash looking for a switch of any kind and didn't find anything.  The key fobs are factory if that means anything.  I do know that there isn't anything in the owners manual about an alarm.  The only thing it mentions is anti-theft stereo.

Answer
Give a dealership a call in the morning to have them
identify what you have and see if it's something you can
do on your own to correct it.

Also, try to use the factory override,
KEY IN DRIVERS DOOR, TURN LEFT, THEN RIGHT
TO DISARM AND UNLOCK.

This may correct it on it's own.

Let me know.

RM