Car Alarms: Alarm not reading the remote control., valet mode, prestige alarm

Question
Hello Alarmtek,

My car came with a "Prestige" alarm already installed; from the beginning the alarm had a problem with range because the remote had to be practically on the window to deactivate the alarm; sometimes that doesn't work anyway and I had to open the car and deactivate the alarm from inside the car (using the remote). I checked the antenna wire and the ground but they seem to be OK; checked the remote, cleaned it and installed a new battery but it work the same.
The problem is that yesterday the remote was unable to deactivate the alarm and I had to disconnect the CPU in order to gain acces to my car. What can be causing this problem? How do I increase the range? Do I need a new remote? also, Can alarm CPU's be exchanged (diferent brands)without changing the connections?

Thanks for your time ands answers.


Regards,


Saúl.

Answer
No sorry, you would need to pull the system, id the
serial number, then contact Prestige audiovox
for support on it. If you want to put it into
over ride/valet mode, 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.

Let me know what happens.

Robert Martin/CEO-ALARMTEK
www.CARALARMINSTALLER.com