Questions about programming security system

[SVXdc]

I have a few questions about the factory security / keyless entry system.

First, here are several threads that describe the programming / reprogramming procedure:

reprograming a remote keyless

Programming the Remote

security system

Plus there are a few more documents in the Security System folder of the How-To Locker.

When programming, you do not need to start the engine. You only need to turn the key as far as the on (ignition) position. The security module can't tell whether you started the engine or not.

Frequently not mentioned: You need to completely close both doors and the trunk before you begin the procedure.

According to cars101.com, system is standard/optional in these years/models (USDM):

• 1992 — standard, all models
• 1993 — standard, all models. Trivia: Door lock rocker switch added to center console.
• 1994 — optional L, LS; standard LSi
• 1995 — optional L, LS; standard LSi
• 1996 — optional L; standard LSi
• 1997 — not offered L; standard LSi

On any models that were shipped without the security system, it could, of course, be purchased and installed as an accessory.

System was not available in Canada or Japan (harness/wiring not even present).

[SVXdc]

Here are my questions. Please answer only if you know for sure (preferably because you've verified in your own SVX, or you can point to a thread where someone else said they had). Be sure to mention whether your car is USDM (or has any mods that might affect security system functionality).

1) A Subaru document says that "the electronic control unit must receive five transmitter codes for the system to operate" (up to 5 transmitters one time each, or a smaller number of transmitters pressed multiple times on some or all of them to add up to 5).

Some people's instructions say to enter 4 (a couple of the documents in the How-To area are inconsistent within the same document!).

Does programming only 4 codes work?
Should work, since you can program just 2.

Has anyone tried programming 5 different transmitters?

2) Has anyone tried fewer? One person wrote that when you have just one transmitter, you only need to press its button twice, then you're done. Is that correct?
Yes, programming 2 slots works. But are you required to program at least 2? Or can you enter just 1?

3) At what point does the system forget the previous transmitters --

A) As soon as you successfully enter programming mode (even without storing any transmitters)?
No.

B) After programming the first one?
No.

C) Not until you have reprogrammed (written over) the previous transmitter's slot? (for example, if the old one was in the 3rd slot, does it stay until you program something new into the 3rd slot?)
Yes, this is what's happening. See my post #23.

D) Not until you have reprogrammed all slots?
No. You are not required to enter 5 slots for the programming session to be successful (it's just a smart thing to do, to insure you have erased any potentially bogus codes).

4) One person wrote that to get into programming mode, you need to press the security button 'not too slow and not too fast'. Approximately what rates work? Is twice per second too slow?

5) To turn the system on or off, does the ignition key need to be in the "on" position, or just inserted into the ignition (but not turned), or key not needed at all?

6) The security module has a fuse. Is the value 1 Amp?

7) The instructions say that you can arm the system using the door lock slider or the key in the driver's door. Does the "lock" button on the center console work too?

8) Subaru's instructions also say that after arming the system using the slider or key, the system automatically locks the doors 20 seconds after the last door is closed. Is that correct?

9) If the passenger's door is open, when the driver closes his door, then tries to arm the system with the transmitter, does it arm after the passenger finally closes that door?

If the passenger closes that door without holding up the door handle to keep it locked, does the system lock the doors 20 (or whatever) seconds later?

10) A Subaru document says that the system turns on the dome light when you disarm. Does it really? I'm wondering how, since the module doesn't seem to have a wire for that. Perhaps on 92 and 93s, as a side-effect of unlocking the doors?
Confirmed. All model years. The module triggers the dome light via the door switch "input" pin. See my post #19.

[2NI]

10) A Subaru document says that the system turns on the dome light when you disarm. Does it really? I'm wondering how, since the module doesn't seem to have a wire for that. Perhaps on 92 and 93s, as a side-effect of unlocking the doors?

I have the car since yesterday ('92) and I'm having big trouble with this stupid Subaru security system also...

Security ON: I can arm/desarm the alarm with the remote but the doors won't lock???

Security OFF: Doors lock/unlock OK with remote???

And that brings me to you: the answer's right here, quoted in BOLD.

Maybe you have one for me now before I turn totally crazy?

[ensteele]

I have programed one and two different remotes without the additional steps and they work fine.

I have never programed 5 or more though.

All of these are very good questions and I will work on trying some of them to see what the answers are.

[SVXdc]

Originally Posted by 2NI

Security ON: I can arm/desarm the alarm with the remote but the doors won't lock???

Security OFF: Doors lock/unlock OK with remote???

I don't have the factory security system -- my SVX didn't come with it, and I always thought they were too expensive to add (especially since many people say theirs have gone bad).

I wonder if, when the system is on, it won't lock the doors until all of them are closed. Perhaps in your SVX the security module thinks that one of the doors is open -- either a bad door sensor switch or bad wire or connection?

[SVXdc]

Here's my theory about programming remotes:

The system has 5 "slots" to learn transmitters. It has no function to "forget all previous remotes" like newer systems do. So you can only erase an old remote "slot" by overwriting -- programming something new into that slot (option C under #3 in my earlier post).

There may be some additional rules -- such as you must program at least two slots. That would explain #2.

But if my theory is correct, you could program 5 transmitters, go back and reprogram just the first 1 or 2 slots, and still have numbers 3-5 from before. If that's true, then that would be a good reason to always program all 5 slots -- so you're sure to erase any bogus ones that an evil person tried to sneak in.

Also, regarding #10: My '96 does not light the dome lights when I unlock the doors via the pin on the security module harness. So I'm fairly certain that 94-97 won't either. I'm not sure about 92/93. Answered (thanks, svxcess, for making me do some more tests). See update in post #2.

Again, anyone who can test any of these and answer, please do. A bunch of the questions can be tested by one person with one transmitter. One of the upcoming meets would be a great opportunity to check numbers 1-3 -- there will likely be a bunch of people who have the factory system, so there will be more than 5 different transmitters to play with.

[RSVX]

My 93's lights have always come on/off with the remote.

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by SVXdc

Also, regarding #10: My '96 does not light the dome lights when I unlock the doors via the pin on the security module harness. So I'm fairly certain that 94-97 won't either. I'm not sure about 92/93.

I beg to differ with you. On my 96 Polo, the dome light always turns on when I disarm the system. While the dome light is still on, if I arm the system again, the dome light starts to dim through the timer. (but that may be because my system is always active and tied to the door locks)

I have no front parking lights that flash, and the arming beep is very soft because of the additional relays I am using for the horns. From the front, the only way I can confirm the status is visually by the dome light

Sometimes at night I check whether the security system is armed. I look out my window and press the remote. It the interior dome light comes on, I know I just disarmed it, so I re-arm the system and the dome light starts dimming and goes out.

If I get out of the car and just close the door, the dome light dims after about 30 seconds. If I get out of the car and arm the system, the dome light begins to dim immediately

I am not sure if the dome light is part of the door lock circuit or the security system . I guess I could just turn the security system through the button on the dash. This way I could just lock and unlock the doors through the remote and see how the light behaved.

Maybe someone who just has door locks without a security system could confirm this.
.

[RSVX]

Originally Posted by SVXdc

10) A Subaru document says that the system turns on the dome light when you disarm. Does it really? I'm wondering how, since the module doesn't seem to have a wire for that. Perhaps on 92 and 93s, as a side-effect of unlocking the doors?

Yes........

[SVXdc]

Originally Posted by RSVX

Yes........

Thanks, Chris.

So you're saying that when you walk up to your car and unlock the driver's door using the key, the dome light comes on (even before you open the door)?

And likewise when you're sitting inside the car, locked, with everything off, and you unlock the door using the driver's lock slider?

No, only when the security module unlocks the doors (see later posts).

I'd guess that if you do nothing else after unlocking, the dome light dims and turns off after a few seconds (similar to how it does when you actually open and close the door).

Can anyone else confirm that 94s and 95s don't do this? Never mind. See later posts below.

I still can't see how that works — the Time Control Unit controls the dome light, and the wiring diagrams show no connection between the TCU and the Door Lock Timer module. But it's not like the diagrams are 100% accurate.

The TCU does know when you pull the driver's door handle — that's how it knows to turn on the keyhole lights (driver's door and ignition).