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Topic: factory alarm questions

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factory alarm questions (1/22)
 5/9/13 2:56am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Doing some diagnosis on this system and have a couple questions.  

1. Are the alarm door switches the forward door switches (courtesy lights) or the rear-ward door switches (door ajar lights)?  I think it's the front ones, but want to be sure.

2. If the alarm is activated, should there be a constant 12v between the red and yellow wires at the horn, or should the flasher that's in the circuit be causing that voltage to fluctuate?

I know I have a few problems right now.  Finally got the horn out after a bit of a struggle with the bolt that holds it in.  Seems like it's bad - no continuity and there is definitely 12v between the two wires that connect to it when the system is activated.  Other problem is that 12v - it's always there if the key switch is turned (i.e. horn would be constantly blaring if it worked) .  I think that problem is due to the anti-tamper switch not being adjusted quite right, but if that's not the problem I'll have to diagnose the two door switches and hood switch.  Something is causing it to go to ground even when all the doors are closed.  And a third problem could be the flasher if the voltage is supposed to fluctuate.   


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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
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Re: factory alarm questions (2/22)
 5/9/13 12:52pm
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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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You should have 12v on one side of the connector at the horn....the other wires there comes from the relay, with the flasher making/breaking contact from the grounds on the door/hood switches. Try removing the flasher and see if you still have voltage on both wires @ horn. If ya do, then you have a short in the harness somewhere....
If the horn has no resistance, it's bad. You should NOT have 12v on BOTH wires at the horn, tho...that's just weird.
I know I have a dang good diagram of the alarm system somewhere. I was lookig for it a few days ago, but have yet to find it. I will keep looking, 'cause it's a really good diagram, with an easy to unnerstand explanation of the operation.

I do have this one here, tho....I posted this the other day, too....




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Re: factory alarm questions (3/22)
 5/9/13 6:25pm
rraider1
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Woodland, WA - USA

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here is the diagram from 77 I believe the 76 is the same as the 77 early which has the key on fender instead of in the door lock
Re: factory alarm questions (4/22)
 5/10/13 2:21am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

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1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Thanks guys.  Bob, that diagram is very helpful.  Joel, I misspoke in the first post: I did not have 12v at BOTH wires at the horn.  Only the pink one.  What I was trying to say was that there was 12v BETWEEN both of them all the time when the alarm key switch was activated - regardless if all the doors/hood were closed or not.  (Meaning that something in the downstream part of the circuit was going to ground when it shouldn't allowing the horn circuit to be always complete)

I did a bunch more diagnosis tonight and answered some of my own questions, but now have one or two more.  Mainly, what the heck is that relay for?  The entire system seems to work without it plugged in at all!  In fact, I think it's the relay that's causing my problems.  I ended up eliminating all four trigger switches (2 doors, hood, anti-tamper) one by one and still had not found what was causing that circuit to be always hot.  So I unplugged the relay (it was hot to the touch, BTW) and now I can actually break the horn circuit by ensuring all four trigger switches are open or disabled.  I'm no electrician, but I studied those wiring diagrams and have no idea what the relay does.  I think of relays as allowing a low power circuit to operate a high power one independently, but it doesn't seem like the case here since all the hot leads in the system are connected together.  I know GM wouldn't put a part like that in for no reason -- hopefully someone that knows more about 'lectricity can edumacate me.  If I do need to replace it, are they still available?  Is there a substitute I can use?  

Two questions that I answered on my own:
1. On a '76, the alarm door triggers are on the rearward door pin switches, not the front.
2. The flasher works fine.  I was not seeing a fluctuating voltage because there was no load on the circuit.  I put a light bulb in the circuit and it started flashing.  

Starting to think I'm crazy for trying to get this alarm system to work...Ermm


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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: factory alarm questions (5/22)
 5/10/13 7:42am
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The relay is a "latching" relay, meaning that it will stay ON until you turn the key switch off. Without the relay working like this, the alarm would turn itself Off if you closed the door/hood. With the latching relay set-up, the alarm will continue sounding until either the battery goes dead, or you turn the key switch off, regardless of the door being open/closed.
The relay being hot to touch indicates it has stuck closed(on)...you might be able to clean it up and get it to function properly....but it might also just be a tin can full of rust...


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Re: factory alarm questions (6/22)
 5/10/13 10:52am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Thanks, Joel.  Makes perfect sense now.  I'll take the relay apart and see if I can clean it up.  It's nice and clean on the outside so maybe I can get it working again.  Also need to repair or (most likely) replace the horn.  And the door ajar switches are not engaging correctly again, I think I have the wrong length in there right now.  But at least I know what's going on now.  

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: factory alarm questions (7/22)
 5/10/13 1:32pm
Case75
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, - Canada

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1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


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If it's any consolation Dave, I'm learning lots from your efforts! Smile

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Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: factory alarm questions (8/22)
 5/11/13 11:56am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Glad you're learning some, Greg!  I am too!  In fact, based on Joel's last answer, I think the relay is doing exactly what it's supposed to.  Since I didn't understand the function of the relay, I wasn't resetting the system each time with the key switch during the diagnosis.  I thought the circuit was staying hot incorrectly, but the relay keeps it hot until it's reset with the key switch.  I did take the relay apart so I could watch its operation - looks like it's working as expected.  One less thing to fix or replace now.  I think I'm getting the horn to work again too -- just needed some cleaning around the contacts.  Now it's just futzing around with those door ajar pin switches and I'll have a working factory alarmSmile

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: factory alarm questions (9/22)
 5/11/13 7:09pm
Case75
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230

So if I order the anti-tamper switch and hook it up chances are my alarm may work as well. Hmm...Everything else is in place; the relay, flasher, horn and key switch and my door ajar switches both work. I think my hood switch needs replacing though.
Does the alarm just sound the horn or do the lights flash as well. My cousin has an all original '74 that he has owned since new and I remember when he bought it he showed off the alarm to my father and I but that was a long time ago. He still has the car to this day. Only 40,000 miles on it.

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Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: factory alarm questions (10/22)
 5/12/13 2:54am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Greg, it's just the horn, no lights.  I'm 90% sure the problem with mine all along was that anti-tamper switch coupled with a horn that was sucking power somehow, but not sounding.  The anti-tamper switch is just another path to ground in the system - if it's plugged in the button needs to be pushed constantly to keep it open - natural state is closed.  It can be disabled by just unplugging the connector if you want to test.  

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: factory alarm questions (11/22)
 5/12/13 9:17am
Case75
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230

I was looking through the assembly manual last night and it has a very good drawing of all the parts behind the key switch and how to put them together. It is in black and white and does not state which color of wire connects to which lug on the back of the key switch. Anyone able to help me?

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Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: factory alarm questions (12/22)
 5/12/13 10:09am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

I don't think it matters since the switch is just a simple single pole on/off thing.  But I could be wrong....

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: factory alarm questions (13/22)
 5/12/13 11:11am
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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There should be a pink wire, and an orange wire(hot from fuse panel) connected to the key switch. Doesn't matter which goes where on the switch....it's just an on-off deal there. Thumbs Up
My '74 has never had the "anti-tamper" switch on it, under the key switch. The wiring is there, but the connector has been whacked off, and the wires taped up. One of these days, I might put one back on it, but the alarm works without it.


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Re: factory alarm questions (14/22)
 5/12/13 3:45pm
Case75
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230

Thanks Dave and Joel.
Dave; you've inspired me to get mine working now!

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Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: factory alarm questions (15/22)
 5/13/13 2:21am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Victory! Horn's not installed and I couldn't test since kids are asleep in room next to garage, but everything appears to work now. I have voltage at the horn contacts at the right times and no more. Tested all the triggers and they all work. Greg , it's really not too bad - pretty simple system. Good luck!

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: factory alarm questions (16/22)
 5/13/13 7:25am
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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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Clap
For those times when you don't wanna disturb anyone with the horn, you can hook a test light to the horn connector. It should "flash" the same as if the horn was tootin. Thumbs Up


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Re: factory alarm questions (17/22)
 5/14/13 12:35am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Yep, I was just using a light bulb to make it flash.  (Test light would be better, but I seem to have misplaced mine).  I really need to test the horn itself though in the circuit, before I go to the trouble of reaching up in there to install -- only want to get the fiberglass slivers in my arm once more, if you know what I mean...Ouch

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: factory alarm questions (18/22)
 5/15/13 12:48am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

I tested with the real horn tonight!  Remembered to do it before they went to bed.  Had all three of them watching me and they thought it was hilarious.  Mom was at a meeting for school but we had to "test" again when she got home.  She practically jumped out her skin: "Holy Censored that thing sounds like a sick elephant!"

She's right - that horn does sound pretty bad, but it's loud and obnoxious and it works so who could ask more of a 37 year old factory anti-theft system!  

Sorry for the three different posts tonight, but had to share!


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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: factory alarm questions (19/22)
 5/15/13 12:56pm
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
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daveo76 said: "Holy Censored that thing sounds like a sick elephant!"

LOL I've heard that same sound many times!!! LOL

At least you know it werks, now.....Good Job!Thumbs Up



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Re: factory alarm questions (20/22)
 6/5/13 3:17pm
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Drove the Vette to work yesterday (beautiful weather for early June here in the Pacific NW) and actually set the alarm when I parked it.  Didn't catch any bad guys but I sure scared the Censored out of myself when I forgot to disarm before I opened the door!  Gonna have to remember that when I use it!  The good news is that it appears that my battery drain issue has been completely resolved now. 

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: factory alarm questions (21/22)
 6/5/13 8:33pm
Case75
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230

Glad to hear your problem is solved Dave. I haven't gotten around to fixing my alarm yet. One of these days.

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Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: factory alarm questions (22/22)
 6/6/13 12:55pm
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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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daveo76 said:...Didn't catch any bad guys but I sure scared the Censored out of myself when I forgot to disarm before I opened the door!  


LOL
Don't feel bad....I bet everyone here has done the same thing....I know I have!
Glad ya got it taken care of, anyway!! Thumbs Up


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