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Topic: Question on Alarm System

in Forum: C3 Electrical

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Question on Alarm System (1/13)
1/8/08 4:34am

jbs82vette
Former Member
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Mint Hill, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles

Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123

How is the alarm suppose to work on a 82. I don't have power locks. When I manually lock the doors I have to unlock the passengers side first. If I open the drivers door first the alarm goes off. Is this normal? Also how do I disarm it once it goes off? I know once it has activated the relay will keep the car from starting for about 10 mins.

Thanks,

Jon

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Question on Alarm System (2/13)
1/8/08 6:17am

Adams' Apple

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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
Posts: 20203

The alarm is activated/de-activated by a switch on the door lock cylinder. The system is armed when you lock the door with the key, and dis-armed the same way.
Sounds like the switch on your driver door is bad/disconnected, or something in the wiring has failed. You will need to remove the door panel to get to the switch/lock cylinder. If nothing else, you could swap the cylinders from side to side, and then your door lock would dis-arm the system. You should be able to dis-arm it, once it does go off, by locking/unlocking the door with the key.
hth

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Question on Alarm System (3/13)
1/8/08 6:23am

jbs82vette
Former Member
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Mint Hill, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles

Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123

Thanks Joel. I had a thought it may be the drivers door switch. When I bought the car the guy told me I needed to unlock from the passenger side. I thought that was a little odd. I'll remove the panel and check the switch. Clap

Question on Alarm System (4/13)
1/8/08 9:14am

6880Mike
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Horse Cave, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1968 convertible; 1980 L-82

Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488

Yo. T-tops are also included in the alarm system. If someone fiddles with a top while the system is armed, the horn will beep.

Question on Alarm System (5/13)
1/8/08 1:08pm

jbs82vette
Former Member
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Mint Hill, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles

Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123

Thanks Mike!

Question on Alarm System (6/13)
1/9/08 7:10am

jbs82vette
Former Member
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Mint Hill, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles

Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123

As I look at the door lock there is a arm/disarm switch on the lock itself and a anti-tamper switch on the side of the lock. I take it that if the lock won't disable the alarm it is more likely the arm/disarm switch.

Question on Alarm System (7/13)
1/9/08 7:23am

Adams' Apple

That's a good possibility, but it could also be a break in the wiring...
Test the switch(unplugged) with an ohm-meter, and see if you have continuity with it in the "lock" position. If you do, then there is a break in the wiring from the switch to the alarm relay. The wiring harness that runs from the door to the hinge pillar is a good place to find crimped/broken wiring...

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Question on Alarm System (8/13)
1/9/08 8:49am

jbs82vette
Former Member
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Mint Hill, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles

Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123

Thanks! Will do. Smile

Question on Alarm System (9/13)
1/9/08 9:26am

Sarge81

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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.

Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

Starting in '81 they added a switch to the passenger side. Like mentioned before the T-tops are rigged to the alarm and there is a switch under the hood, near the distributor.

The door lock switches have a contact that disengages when you unlock it with the key. Now if the window is open and you lock the door with the key the system is armed. So if someone reaches in and unlocks the door it will go off. Also if someone tries to pop the lock cylinder out of the door the tamperproof switch you see in there will set it off to.

The system will also lock the ignition switch. So if someone decides to pop the ignition tumbler out they won't be able to start the vehicle.

I know "lectric limited" carries the door harnesses for the alarm system for about $33.00 a side, last I looked. This reminds me that I have to get my alarm up and running. It quit after the car was painted. Shocked

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Question on Alarm System (10/13)
1/9/08 10:43am

dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841

I didn't know mine had an alarm until I locked it with the power lock switch and then reached in, unlocked the door manually and opened the door.

When the horn started honking it scared the bejesus out of me.

And of course it was 6AM on a Saturday morning.

Woke up the whole neighborhood before I could disconnect the battery.

Finally figured out I needed to unlock the door using the key.

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Question on Alarm System (11/13)
1/10/08 4:46am

jbs82vette
Former Member
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Mint Hill, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles

Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123

Thanks Sarge81. I took the drivers door lock out and checked the switch with the meter. It worked intermittenly(sp). This may be why it won't disarm from the drivers side. I also though about getting a aftermarket alarm installed with just the basic alarm armed and disarmed for doors hood and T-Tops and a motion sensor. I dont have power door locks so all I need is a alarm to go off if someone is trying to get in. I need something reliable.

Question on Alarm System (12/13)
1/10/08 4:50am

jbs82vette
Former Member
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Mint Hill, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles

Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123

It has happened to me also. In the parking garage shut the door went back in by using the passenger door which I know works and darn if it didn't go off. That's why I may look at a aftermarket system. I had a Viper alarm in my other car and it had al the bells and whistles and worked great. I don't need all the frills just the basic alarm.

Question on Alarm System (13/13)
1/10/08 9:22am

6880Mike
Former Member
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Horse Cave, KY - USA

Vette(s):
1968 convertible; 1980 L-82

Joined: 10/22/2007
Posts: 488

[QUOTE=jbs82vette]...I need something reliable....[/QUOTE]

When it's up to snuff, the factory system works fine. The system on my '80 will soon be 28 years old and still works like a charm.

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