Expert: ALARMTEK - 9/29/2010

Question
I own a 2009 Civic LX still equipped with the stock anti theft alarm (as well as Lo Jack if that makes a difference).  About a week ago I took it to a local tire/lube shop for an oil change and after picking it up I immediately noticed the alarm acting up and doing things it's never done in the 2 years that I've owned the vehicle.

First, I noticed after driving it back to work (all of about 50 yards), when I parked and turned off the vehicle the alarm chirped once immediately as the car was turned off. NEVER done that before.

Second, when I push the unlock button on the key fob once to disarm and unlock the the driver door, I again get a single chirp that I've never had before. There are also other random "chirping" behaviors occurring irregularly and associated with using the fob to arm/lock and disarm/unlock the vehicle.

Third, the LED located under the dash, below and slightly left of the steering column, that blinks to indicate that the alarm is activated now blinks constantly, whether the anti theft is armed, disarmed, or I am driving the vehicle. This is also a new behavior that I first noticed the next time I drove the vehicle at night (it was blatantly obvious in the dark) and I am positive that if this was normal I would have noticed it happening at some point during the last 2 years.

I took the vehicle back to the shop and let them know what it was doing. They took a quick look at the vehicle and told me they were unable to identify the problem, so I'm stuck with it still.

I don't understand how pulling and oil filter and drain plug could have any effect on the anti theft system, but the onset of the malfunction occurred immediately after leaving the shop and so seems to be the only logical explanation.

Any tips or suggestions to rectify the issue. A mechanic friend suggested I disconnect the battery for 5 minutes or try to reset the alarm. I did disconnect the battery to no avail, but I can't find any directions for resetting the whole alarm system, if that would even work.

I appreciate any help of tips you can provide.

Answer
It appears from your expaination, that the
after market car alarm is in armed & breached mode,
but there is no after market starter kill installed.

Ok, try this.
Put the key in the ignition, and turn forward
all the way just before cranking. Then within
5 seconds, press and hold in the valet/overide
button, found under the dash area, usually to the
left of the leg drilled into a hidden away spot,
until the installed LED (the blinking light)
in your dash area goes off, and the siren chirps twice.
(Your valet switch might be the toggle (on/off) type.
in this case, key on, flip switch in oposite direction,
key off.)

This should reset the alarm.

Just Repeat these steps to place it
back to valet/ovveride mode.

(In valet mode, take the vehicle to a local
car alarm shop to evaluate and maybe get
a manual for it's settings and if
all componants are up to snuff.
Makes for a better experience.)

That should do it.
Let me know what happens.

ALARMTEK
INSTALLSUPPORT.COM