What's up with my alarm sytem

[Recoil Rob]

Bought a 1997 SR5 used and the alarm system has been confounding me. It's OK when I use the remote but if I open it with a key the alarm goes off until I start it.

The truck is used infrequently, primarily for towing my fishing boat down to LI Sound, so tonight the battery was low. I attached a trickle charger and I could hear the horn trying to blow every second, the alarm going off. No matter what I di I couldn't stop it so I disconnected the charger.

How the hell does this system work, how do I disable it so I can charge th3 battery without getting the neighbors annoyed?


thanks,

Rob

 

[Recoil Rob]

bump

 

[ryanbt]

Which remote do you have? My '96 looks like this:

I think it was a Gulf States Regional type alarm, but not for certain.
Regardless the system is a PITA. It does exactly what you outlined; unlocking with the key does not disable the alarm like it does on the newer trucks.
If I put the key in the on position and put the system into 'valet mode' (by switching the toggle switch under the dash) which results in the red LED light being on all of the time, you can lock the truck with the remote and unlock with the key without the alarm going off. But if the battery has been disconnected/reconnected (and still in valet mode) the damn alarm goes off the moment you open or close any of the doors or hood. I've had this truck since 1997 and I've never figured a way around the alarm.
The last time I had mine on the trickle charger I disconnected the battery while charging.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Mine looks like this.

Does the same thing your does. I don't even know if I have a valet switch, I'll have to check.

If you'll notice mine has two buttons and they both seem to do the same thing. Can't figure it out at all.

 

[4Yota]

All's Well.

Rest assured Recoil. I have the exact same year, make and model Toy as well the same alarm system and key fob and I'll tell you it's normal for the alarm to sound off under that condition. However let me clarify. If you previously had set the alarm with the "REMOTE" and then unlocked the door with the "KEY" instead of the remote you are literally setting the alarm off as the the key used to open the door has no bearing on disarming the alarm at all. And that's what you want. It's just as if someone jimmied opened your door after you set the alarm remotely.

On the other hand, if you locked your door with your "KEY" and then unlocked it with the "KEY" the alarm will NOT sound before 15-30 seconds has ticked off depending on how your alarm system is configured. Mine is set to 15 seconds after I open the door with my "KEY" not using the remote. To disarm the alarm before the allotted time expires you'll need to put the KEY in the ignition, turn it to the "ON" position (not necessarily cranked up) and back to the "OFF" position 1 time to disarm the alarm. Check out the link below for your alarm system programming (assuming this is the OEM model you have).

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...IQ8F2G&sig=AHIEtbTtVi-N-QnRNk22PkoFGTe-dO6BxA


Hope this helps.

 

[4Yota]

Dang It

Sorry Man, sent the wrong link. Here's the correct one:

RS3000 Toyota Vehicle Intrusion Protection

 

[Recoil Rob]

Man, finally some clarity, thanks so much $Yota. I just glanced over it as it's late but do you know what happens if I lock the truck using neither the remote or the key but the "LOCK" button on the door panel? Does it act like the remote or the key? I imagine the key?

Sorry Man, sent the wrong link. Here's the correct one:

RS3000 Toyota Vehicle Intrusion Protection

 

[4Yota]

Man, finally some clarity, thanks so much $Yota. I just glanced over it as it's late but do you know what happens if I lock the truck using neither the remote or the key but the "LOCK" button on the door panel? Does it act like the remote or the key? I imagine the key?

No Problem. Glad I could help. To answer the lock button question, It behaves exactly as if you locked it with the key. In other words it has no direct affect on the alarm system itself other than after the door is unlocked and opened (with a key or lock button) the alarm is going to sound after the secs you have it configured for at which time you can use the remote or key in the ignition method to disable it. Use the web link to configure the system and remote to your customized liking.

 

[lawncegary]

The last time I had mine on the trickle charger I disconnected the battery while charging.

 

[sTraTz]

Ive got a 97' too, but I have a different remote...
Sounds like everything is the same as mine, except I have 3 buttons and only 1 of them seems to work