Help, Please Read - Honda Prelude Forum

willmbrk · 01-11-2003, 05:00 PM

I am posting this in the 4th gen because I may get more help.

I bought a replacement factory alarm remote, and I tried to reprogram it. The instructions said to turn on the ignition, and hold the valet for 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, the valet switch should start blinking, and I should hit the silen button on my remote.
I tried that and the valet switch didn't blink rapidly, in fact it didn't blink at all.. I then took it to Tipton Honda,and the tech tried it but to no avail. Can anyone help me troubleshoot this because I am sure Honda will rape me if I have them diagnose it.

willmbrk · 01-11-2003, 07:49 PM

Anyone know anything about OEM alams? Please

U.K VTEC · 01-12-2003, 09:00 AM

I can only suggest that you try an alarm install shop instead of Honda. They may have more idea and lower prices.

LoudLude · 01-12-2003, 06:38 PM

so, can you get your alarm into valet mode or no?

this is a factory alarm on a 4th gen?

willmbrk · 01-13-2003, 09:04 AM

I cant get it into valet mode, and it is a stock factory alarm. Holding the valet button for five seconds doesn't do anything.

LoudLude · 01-13-2003, 11:48 AM

I guess my first course of action would be to check to make sure the button is connected.

Are you sure it isnt in valet mode already? Do you have any working remotes? Is the valet button a button or a switch?

willmbrk · 01-13-2003, 12:01 PM

The valet is a button. I am going to follow the valet button wire to see if it is hooked up properly. I only had one remote, and it went bad. I bought another, and I am trying to program it.

LoudLude · 01-13-2003, 09:15 PM

well from what you describe, the problem seems to be in the valet button. Hopefully it is just a loose wire or it got kicked off.

Since your old remote worked, the brain must have power and be somewhat functional.. The only other thing I can think of to tell you without seeing it is to play with that button....

try to push and hold it in before you insert the key, after, ignition at different positions etc.. Also 5 seconds is just an estimate. Make sure you hold that thing down for long enough.

Also, you said the old remote went bad... can you replace the battery? How can you be sure the remote died and not the alarm brain?

I dunno man, sorry I couldnt help.

if you decide to take it in somewhere take it to an alarm installer, they may be cheaper than a dealer, maybe not.

irishpilot · 01-13-2003, 11:58 PM

on my 4th gen stock alarm I had to take it apart and there is a little chip that kinda is in the middle and it can sometimes come out a little and I have to take out and clean GENTLY with a clean eraser of a pencil and then put back in... this cleans and helps stay inside its port or what ever you would call it.

I would try this with the old one to see if that would fix so you could return,

and not to insult you or anything but did you make sure the batteries were in right or fresh on both the new and old

goodluck

willmbrk · 01-14-2003, 07:51 AM

Thanks for the advice. I am going to look at my alarm this weekend. I have checked all of the basics(Batteries, old remote, new remote, valet). I will have to trace some wiring and take apart the alarm . I really don't want to pay someone to look at it because I can get a raplacement alarm for the same price.

willmbrk · 01-16-2003, 04:33 PM

Thank you all for helping. I fixed my alarm. Turned out to be a loose connection in the valet switch

LoudLude · 01-17-2003, 12:34 AM

good

now, I want to hear more about this alarm... where did you get it, how much, does it just plug into a harness somewhere, etc... and I dont suppose you have a picture of the brain?

willmbrk · 01-17-2003, 07:43 AM

Dunno, it is the stock alarm that came with the car. I can take a picture of main unit this afternoon. Luckily, I have all of the original alarm documentation. It made diagnosing the problem a lot easier.