Keyless Entry: Description and Operation
System DescriptionSecurity Alarm System
The security alarm system is armed automatically after the doors, hood, and trunk lid are closed and locked. For the system to arm, the ignition switch must be off, the key must be removed, and the security control unit must receive signals that the doors, hood, and trunk lid are closed and locked. The alarm can be disarmed at any time by unlocking either door with the key or the remote transmitter.
When everything is closed and locked, the only control unit inputs that are grounded, and have 0 volts, are the driver's door lock knob switch, and the audio unit. In other words, all of the other switches are open, including the key cylinder switches, and they have about 10 volts. Ten seconds after the doors are locked with the key or the lock knob (with the door open), or immediately after the doors are locked with the LOCK button on the remote transmitter, the security system arms, and the security indicator on the door panel flashes. If the security indicator does not flash, the system is not arming. Check the doors, hood, and trunk to see if they are closed. A beep to confirm the security alarm system is armed will sound if the LOCK button is pressed a second time within 5 seconds.
If one of the switches is misadjusted or there is a short in the system, the system will not arm. As long as the control unit continues to receive a ground signal, it senses that the vehicle is not closed and locked, and the system will not arm. Conversely, a switch that is slightly misadjusted can sound an alarm for no apparent reason. In this case, a significant change in outside temperature, the vibration of a passing truck, or someone bumping into the vehicle could cause the alarm to sound.
If anything is opened or improperly unlocked after the system is armed, the control unit receives a ground signal from that switch, and the 10 volts reference drops to 0 volts. If the radio is disconnected, the input loses its ground, and the input voltage goes to 10 volts. The system sounds the alarm when any of these things occur:
- A door is forced open
- A door is unlocked without using the key or the remote transmitter
- The hood is opened
- The trunk is opened without using the transmitter
- The audio unit is disconnected
- The panic mode is activated
When the system sounds the alarm, the security horn sounds and the exterior lights flash for 2 minutes. The alarm can be stopped at any time by unlocking either door with the key or by pushing any button on the remote transmitter.
Panic Mode
The panic mode allows the security system to sound the alarm with the remote transmitter in order to attract attention. When the PANIC button is pressed and held for 2 seconds, the alarm will sound and the exterior lights will flash for about 30 seconds.
The panic mode can be canceled at any time by pressing any button on the remote transmitter or by turning the ignition switch ON (II). The panic mode will not function if the ignition switch is ON (II).
Keyless Entry System
The security alarm system is integrated with the keyless entry system. The keyless entry system allows you to lock and unlock the vehicle with the remote transmitter. When you push the LOCK button, all doors lock. When you push the UNLOCK button once, only the driver's door unlocks. The remaining doors unlock when you push the button a second time.
The ceiling light, if its switch is in the center position, will come on when you press the UNLOCK button. If you do not open a door, the light will go off in about 30 seconds, the doors will automatically relock, and the security system will rearm. If you relock the doors with the remote transmitter within 30 seconds, the light will go off immediately.
You cannot lock the doors with the remote transmitter if a door is not fully closed, or if the key is in the ignition switch. If the doors will lock and unlock but the Security System will not arm make sure the trunk and hood are closed. If the doors will unlock, but not lock, the system may think a door is open. Check the door switches, the dome light operation, and the safety indicator.
To open the trunk, push the Trunk Release button and hold it for about 2 seconds. The trunk will not open if the key is in the ignition switch. If the doors lock and unlock normally, but the trunk opener is inoperative or erratic, the problem could be a wrong remote or passenger multiplex control unit. 1998-99 remotes and control units are different than 2000-02 control units. Multiplex control units are also different for trim level and body style (coupe and sedan).
If a third keyless/security transmitter has been added, the trunk release button must be pushed twice on that transmitter to open the trunk.
The system will signal you when the doors lock and unlock by flashing the parking lights, side marker lights, and taillights: once when they lock, and twice when they unlock. Push the LOCK button twice within 5 seconds and the horn will confirm the car is locked with one short beep. If the lights do not flash, make sure the doors the hood and the trunk are closed and locked. Check that the security indicator blinks. If the Security Alarm System does not arm, see multiplex mode and input tests.