Expert: INSTALLSUPPORT - 6/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello, and many thanks for any help to keep my sanity.  I am the owner of a Toyota USA 1995 Camry V6 that I purchased used with an aftermarket Sentry Care Plus anti-theft system. Currently, while driving the alarm starts blasting and if I can get to the remote device, occasionally it will turn off the alarm, and if not, the car dies and I have to put it into park to restart.  For some reason it seems to happen more often when slowing down to make a left-hand turn. Sometimes, it goes off (starts blasting noise) and I'll use remote to stop and it happens again immediately.  As soon as this problem started I replaced a 5 yr old battery with a new heavy duty one.  The alternator has been checked out to be okay.  Now the alarm goes off in the middle of the night for no reason.  I leave the car door partially open to prevent this now.  I'm getting afraid to drive.  Can't find Sentry auto alarm company on the internet.  I want to disable this if possible or at least figure out why this is happening. H E L P

ANSWER: Alrighty, not familiar with that system but try this:

  You'll need to set off the alarm for a few seconds.
Then, 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.
If this had a starter kill relay installed,
it would now be opened, and the engine would
turn over when tried. This is override/reset.

You would repeat these steps to go back to
user mode but in your case, I'd leave it this
way until you can have a service technician
get under there and remove/replace & repair.
DO NOT leave this system in there or your
headache will get worse.

Let me know what you discover
& if you want to upgrade to a
better, more reliable system.

ALARMTEK
CARALARMSTORE.COM

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

QUESTION: OOPS - Although the sticker said Sentry, and it was under the driver's seat instead of the dash, I found what I would call an electronic control device.  It says "Toyota Vehicle Security System."  There is a serial # 940725M083, Product #MW-8480.  There are some small holes on the right side and some of the label is worn away, but I can see where is points to "security off."  There is also a hole where it says "sensor adjustment."  Now I'm wondering if I stick something small in one of those 2 holes.  Try to adjust or turn off?  Adjust how? By "turning" right or left?  I appreciate your help again. PS: Boy, was I tempted to just unplug that sucker.  This has been the most obnoxious alarm system I've ever heard of.  I think I'm known at most oil change businesses.

Answer
Hmmmm,
   That's hard to say. Ok, please, if you
would, restate this question in my installers
forum at www.installsupport.com and see if
my resident technicians there can assist
with this project.

I'm the after market guy around here.
For OEM/FACTORY info, it's best to go to
a tech who would have more on it for you.

www.INSTALLSUPPORT.com

Good luck there.

RM