Automotive anti-theft protection system is an innovative technology that protects the car from burglary and provides additional comfort for the car owner. One of the important elements of this system is a key fob with a remote control, which allows you to turn on and off the anti-theft alarm system from a distance.
Unfortunately, the key fob controls are short-lived and are constantly in use, so they often fail. This is not a global problem that can be fixed on your own if you know how to identify the breakdown and deal with it.
Why might a key fob break?
Several “emergency” situations can occur with the anti-theft alarm remote control:
- If dropped, the housing or internal electronics may be damaged. In this case, the remote control will be easier to replace than to repair.
- If it comes into contact with water, the electronic board may fail (short circuit). In this case, control may be lost partially or completely, the device may begin to work incorrectly, but can be repaired.
- The autonomous battery is discharging. In this case, you just need to replace the battery.
To repair the anti-theft alarm key fob, you need to turn off the alarm. There are three ways to do this:
- Disable with Valet button. The alarm turns off, and you can drive to the nearest service station for repair or replacement of the key fob.
- Emergency shutdown. It is necessary to switch the ignition key to different positions and simultaneously press the service button on the key fob.
- Disable the emergency lights using the entered code. If you previously set an emergency deactivation code on the key fob, simply enter it.
Important! Any of the listed options for deactivating the anti-theft system can be activated only after you remove the terminals from the battery and turn off the external power.
Reasons for the siren not working
The alarm may go into silent mode. This happens most often when the battery charge is low. To prevent the battery from being fully charged, a silent operation command is given.
In addition, the absence of a siren sound may be due to poor contacts or wear of the device elements.
The alarm is usually silent in the following cases:
- if the limit switch on the door or in the trunk rusts;
- the control wire breaks;
- the shock sensor will be disconnected from the system;
- the wires will come off the main unit.
This list can be continued, but the result is always the same - there is no sound from the alarm. This usually happens after several years of operation of the security system.
Choosing a new key fob
Very often, motorists do not want to waste time on repairing the key fob and simply replace it with a new control element. However, in order not to change the “awl for soap”, you should consider some rules for a good choice. The new key fob should:
- buy in specialized stores from trusted manufacturers;
- match the same model of the anti-theft system that you have installed;
- have a programming function and additional features.
Do not hesitate to consult with sellers - this will save your time and increase your chances of purchasing a useful device. If you have an old alarm system installed, it will be difficult to find an analogue. In such a situation, be prepared for the fact that you will have to change the anti-theft system completely.
“Binding” a new key fob to an anti-theft device
If for some reason the key fob of the anti-theft system is lost, it will not be difficult to restore it: you need to buy a new remote control and “link” it to the alarm system on the car. To do this you will need:
- Switch the anti-theft system to Valet mod mode using the control buttons.
- Wait until the system requests the binding code.
- Enter the code specified in the anti-theft instructions.
Central locking diagram for VAZ 2114
The system consists of the following components:
- mounting block;
- 8 amp fuse;
- 4 gearmotors (one in each door, and the one in the driver's door has a contact group);
- central locking control unit;
- wires (red, black, blue, yellow) and plugs;
- rods that are located in each door;
- limit switches that signal the current state of the door (open or closed).
Troubleshooting
It’s quite simple to understand why the alarm system and control from the key fob are malfunctioning - there are not many breakdowns here, and they are all known:
- faulty electrical wiring (disassemble and restore the integrity of the contacts);
- lack of power supply (battery is dead - needs to be replaced);
- the fuse in the key fob has burned out (replacement only);
- The software is frozen (reboot the device).
If the steps taken are not successful, it is recommended to seek help from a specialist.
If the car alarm does not respond to the key fob
The anti-theft device may stop responding to commands from the control panel for several reasons:
- The battery in the key fob has run out and is blocking the operation of the device (battery replacement);
- moisture got inside the device and oxidized the contacts (disassemble, dry, clean the contacts);
- the key fob fell or received a strong blow, resulting in damage to the internal microcircuit or contacts (repair or replacement of the device);
- Buttons stick (need to be disassembled and cleaned).
Important! The key fob will not work for a trivial reason: you did not slam the car door, and there is no full contact between the surfaces.
Rebooting the alarm when the system hangs
Car alarms have their own software, which sometimes tends to freeze, after which the alarm stops responding to commands. Remove the terminal from the car battery, wait 5 minutes and return the terminal to its place. After power is applied and the system is turned on, the software should start correctly.
Attention! The siren may sound, but this is a normal reaction of the system.
Replacing fuses
Fuses often burn due to electrical overload and turn off the alarm. If you suspect that they are to blame, you should check the fuses:
- for sound;
- on the positive wire of the battery;
- for emergency lights.
The check is carried out visually or using a special tester.
Checking car alarm wiring
Electrical wiring should be left for last, and if you do not have the skills to repair electrical systems, it is better to contact the service center specialists. The system will be ringed at the stands, the damaged area will be determined, and then repaired or replaced.
Troubleshooting on the go
This is the most common problem in anti-theft systems, due to which you cannot put the car on the alarm, or remove it from the alarm to unlock the engine start.
First, check the batteries, then bring the key fob to the central unit of the alarm system and try to turn it on again. If it doesn’t start, the breakdown is serious and you need to contact a service station.
False alarm
If the alarm goes off spontaneously, it means that the battery in the car is dead, or the anti-theft device needs repair.
If the alarm system Starline, Pandora, KGB and other models does not work: useful tips
As you can see, if the electronics are faulty, there can be many reasons (some of them were discussed above).
At the initial stage, you need to make sure that the key fob is in good condition. Also, one should not exclude the possibility of software failures of the alarm itself. If there are malfunctions, you should check the immobilizer, sensors, the alarm control unit itself, check the wiring, etc. You should also try to bring the remote control closer to the car (closer to the installation site of the central unit or antenna).
It happens that if the car is parked near an object where there is a strong electromagnetic field or a lot of radio interference, then the signals from the remote control are jammed. By the way, this situation is also not considered a breakdown.
Please note that if, while driving, the engine suddenly stalls or, after turning the ignition off and on again, the siren sounds and the internal combustion engine is blocked, this usually indicates a severe discharge of the battery or a power failure.
In this case, the alarm unit reacts to the fact that the voltage level has dropped below 8 volts and the system activates the blocking modes. This is an anti-theft feature that means that when power is restored, the locks remain and must be removed by the owner.
We also recommend reading the article on how to completely disable the car alarm. From this article you will learn about available ways to turn off the alarm yourself, how to perform an emergency shutdown of the alarm, etc.
Of course, the engine remains blocked and the siren goes off. To solve the problem, you need to make sure that the battery is working and charged, that power is supplied normally to the alarm unit, that there are no problems with wiring, etc.
We also note that a common problem associated with the alarm may be the central module (control unit) itself. Moisture or mechanical impact will eventually affect the operation of the unit; a short circuit may occur on the microcircuit.
In this case, the unit hangs, blocks the engine from starting, or the entire system malfunctions. In this situation, it is optimal to dry the unit; if necessary, its microcircuits are repaired. You can also immediately replace the microcircuit or completely replace the entire unit assembly.
Repair of alarms at service stations
Many technical services offer repair services for car security systems, linking and programming control key fobs.
Car services also solve such a common problem as unlocking a car alarm, which is associated with errors in installing an anti-theft device, damaged wiring or a breakdown of the central lock. This problem often occurs in the winter (the battery drains quickly).
DIY repair
For repairs you will need a set of tools: a screwdriver, wires, insulating tape, wire cutters, a tester. Always start by checking the key fob itself and the battery (if the LED in the key fob shines dimly). After this, you should check the wiring, check the car battery charge and reload the software.
In conclusion, it should be noted that failure of the anti-theft alarm key fob is a common occurrence: it is constantly in use and is carried on the keys. Mechanical shocks, falls, natural wear and tear, battery discharge, button sticking are typical for this device and can be eliminated independently.
If repairing the key fob does not produce results, look for faults in the alarm system itself, in the car's electrical wiring and battery. If nothing helps here, replace the key fob or go to a service station, where the problem will be solved with the help of professional equipment.
What is important to know?
Cleaning the alarm key fob circuit
If the car alarm stops working when you turn on the remote control buttons, then the safety of the vehicle can be called into question. Before you remove and check the causes of the alarm malfunction and change the device, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with important information. For example, if alarm malfunctions have nothing to do with the operating system, then it is quite possible to solve the problem yourself. If you do not want to pay money for car alarm diagnostics, then first of all, familiarize yourself with the main breakdowns of the anti-theft system.
If you decide to remove and check the device yourself, then in some cases it will actually be possible to make repairs yourself. If your immobilizer is malfunctioning and you want to find out why, then remember that you should always have basic tools on hand. We are talking about screwdrivers, pliers, electrical tape, a set of wires in case of an open circuit, as well as a tester, which is used to test the wiring. Of course, if your car’s car alarm is still under warranty, it’s better not to mess with it yourself, but to entrust this matter to specialists (the author of the video is Andrey Kanaev).
Signal relay or wiring failure
So, the next category of signal damage factors is a failed relay or broken wiring.
The wires in the signal supply circuit are simply pinched, broken, or disconnected during repairs. Often, during reassembly, the wires are connected incorrectly or forgotten to do so altogether. It is necessary to make sure that the wires responsible for the operation of the sound signal are connected correctly. In some cars the signal is too low, so in the off-season it may end up in water and slush. In addition, the compositions with which the road surface is sprinkled to remove ice do their bad job. Under these conditions, the terminals on the horn itself oxidize and sometimes the wire rots. Therefore, it would not be a bad idea to check this place. If there is a signal activation relay on your VAZ-2114, you should carefully inspect it. You need to find the relay using the complete electrical diagram of your car, and then conduct an experiment. To do this, press the beep button and listen. If there is a click in the relay, it is probably working properly. In the opposite situation, it makes sense to check the voltage at the relay contacts when the signal is pressed.
Fuse blown
The easiest and first-priority check that should be carried out when the horn fails is the integrity of the fuse. So, if the latter actually burned out, therefore, in the 2114th VAZ model there is a short circuit. You need to try to install a complete fuse according to the rating. If it burns out again, it is possible that a short circuit has occurred. In the opposite situation, most likely, the fuse has simply exhausted its resource.
How to repair a siren
If the problem of the silent alarm is a burnt-out transistor, then it is not necessary to contact a car service center. You can purchase the same one and replace it yourself.
- Disconnect the unit from the pads and plugs and remove it from the car.
- Bring it home, turn it over, remove two screws.
- Locate the location of the burnt-out transistor.
- Carefully desolder it by heating the contacts with a soldering iron and disconnecting it from the board.
- Insert a new transistor in its place and solder it using a soldering iron for fine soldering.
- Reassemble the block in reverse order.
- Go to the car and install it in the old place, connecting and checking the operation.
Horn failure
In the case when the relay makes clicks, you need to investigate the presence of current on the signal. You will need to work with a partner: one holds the button, the other measures the voltage at this time. Check with a regular tester or multimeter. The latter may produce low voltage. This will indicate oxidized contacts of the audio signal circuit or a short circuit.
However, when the voltage comes, and there are no oxides in the ground wire and a strong connection to the body, but the signal does not work, therefore, it has burned out. Here the signal must be replaced.
Remember that traffic safety is very important, because problems with the sound signal can become the main cause of an accident. Therefore, we urge all motorists to take the faulty signal seriously and responsibly and restore its operation as soon as possible.
Source
