Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

Securtity Light/ Alarm Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 05:03 PM
  #1  
wg871's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: Rougemont, NC
Default Securtity Light/ Alarm Question

When I bought my 99 Camaro the security light was on. The car has an aftermarket radio, speakers and amp. (I assumed this is why the security light is on). Whenever I lock the car the horn beeps like normal, then about eight seconds later it honks twice like the alarm is going off. When the car is locked at my house it will do this a couple times throughout the night(randomly), It only does it when the car is locked. Any ideas?
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 05:27 PM
  #2  
cfallsguy's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default

Mine will do this too, but not every time i lock it just sometimes, even if i relock it, it still will do it. I always have to manually lock the doors then the next time i go somewhere and lock it i use the key fob and it works. Not sure what the reason is but you could try that.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 07:30 PM
  #3  
wg871's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: Rougemont, NC
Default

When I manually lock the doors as soon as I close the door after about 8 seconds it will alarm off for two honks just as if I locked it with the remote
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 07:55 PM
  #4  
omarrakeen's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 1
From: UAE, Dubai.
Default

the reason is the wire connections of radio...i had the same issue with my previous 96 RS i had a kenwood on then the security was on i tried evey single wire it just didnt go off! and sometimes the car just wont start i drove the car with the security light for a year lol no problems then...try to figure the radio connections out...
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2009 | 08:01 AM
  #5  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

There are two security systems on F-bodies (one standard and the other optional) and neither one is even remotely related to the radio. Both are controlled by the Body Control Module (BCM).

First, you have the Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) which is the system that checks for the correct ignition key by measuring the resistance in the pellet on the key. It is designed to prevent the car from starting or running if the correct key isn't used by disabling the starter relay and turning off the fuel pump. It controls the SECURITY light in the instrument cluster. If the light is on, it is reading an incorrect resistance. If the light is flashing, it is unable to read any resistance (key pellet is missing or damaged).

Second, the optional Content Theft Deterrent (CTD) system is a basic alarm system. It flashes the lights and honks the horn if a door is opened or the car is struck while it's armed. It controls the red LED mounted on top of the dash to the right of the defroster vent.

(There is a third "security" system in the factory radio called TheftLock. If activated, it is supposed to prevent the radio from working if removed from the car. It is completely self-contained in the radio and is not connected to the rest of the car in any way.)

If your SECURITY light is on but the car still starts then you have one of two situations. It could be the system is reading the resistance in the key pellet and that the reading is close but not within the tolerance of the system. This is usually caused by dirt and grime build-up on the pellet contacts or on the contacts inside the ignition cylinder. Cleaning the key with rubbing alcohol and a pencil eraser, then cleaning the cylinder with spray electronic contact cleaner (available at Radio Shack) will often solve the problem. It also might be caused by worn contacts on the key or in the cylinder in which case you should get a new key or cylinder before it gets so worn that the VATS will prevent starting the car.

The other possibility is the the VATS has been bypassed the wrong way. The VATS can be bypassed using inline resistors to make the system think the correct key is always present. But some people bypass it by programming the PCM to ignore the fuel enable signal from the BCM and by grounding the starter relay coil lead. This allows the car to start but the SECURITY light will be always on.

The horn honking is usually caused by a bad shock sensor. It is located under the trim in the right quarter panel on the wheelwell in front of the spare tire. Unplug it and see if the problem goes away. Then you can decide if yu want to replace it or just leave it disconnected. You can also program the alarm system off using the instructions in your owner's manual or posted here.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2009 | 08:52 AM
  #6  
omarrakeen's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 1
From: UAE, Dubai.
Default

mmmm then i guess am wrong...but when i changed my radio it came on and when i remove the radio fuse it goes off...
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2009 | 11:40 AM
  #7  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

The RADIO fuse also provides power to the BCM so removing it would cause the BCM to stop lighting the SECURITY light.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2009 | 10:45 AM
  #8  
wg871's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: Rougemont, NC
Default

I followed the instructions to program the alarm off and the car still does the same thing.

I unplugged the shock sensor and it fixed it, the doors lock but now the alarm dosent go off. Thanks for the help
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:05 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE