Hey Guys,

I just tried opening my Honda civic '97 EX with the remote transmitter and it would not open. when I looked into the vehicle the red alarm light was blinking faster than normal and the door light was flickering. It is a new transmitter and the alarm came with the car.
You guys have any idea what is going on to help a clueless-about-cars gal??

Cheers

 

Is this actually a car alarm or the "anti-theft" radio light flashing?

 

yeah its the anti-theft radio light that was flashing..
thanks in advance

 

If I recall, in the early 6th generation (96-98) Civics, the power locks were controlled through the radio. The "anti-theft" radio is not really an alarm system. It's just a computerized lock for the radio itself so no one will steal the stock radio. I've glanced through the service manual but haven't found any reason for the faster blinking, so what I'm about to say is all guesswork. I hope someone else drops by and adds their thoughts.

Have you disconnected the battery recently? If so, did you put the 5 digit code back into the radio so it would work?

My only guess so far is that the power was disconnected and the radio lost all its presets and that code. Since keyless entry is tied in through it, I figure the fast flashing means that it's telling you it needs the code.

Do you have the little card that has the code? It should be with the owners manual and other papers that came with the car, usually stuck in the glove box. My best guess would be that you need to turn the radio on and input the code when asked.

 

Thanks a ton.
I have not disconnected the battery at all in the recent past. I cannot open the car door except with the remote transmitter. If I use the key (while the car is locked and the red light near the radio is flashing) it sets off the alarm so getting in to the glove box in near impossible.
Do you know if this is normal? It seems to be a feature of the civic as I always have had to use the remote transmitter to unlock it.
but thanks a ton again for your help!!

 

If an alarm will actually go off, then it looks like you might have an aftermarket alarm system installed on your car. I don't know anything about stock Honda alarms. I hope someone sees this thread and has some ideas.

Because the light is flashing faster than normal, it seems like the alarm "knows" something. Do you know if the battery in your remote is good? New doesn't always mean good.

 

Let's see if i can help. You say you haven't disconnected the battery recently which is usually why the Anti-Theft Radio lights starts blinking really fast. How long has this fast blinking been going on? Just started today or yesterday?

If you can't get to the code itself in the glove box then you have an aftermarket alarm.

If you can't open the door with the remote it could be the remote is damaged even though it's new or it could be that the remote just needs a new battery. If you can't open the door manually (with or without setting the alarm) then you car doesn't have a key insert where you can stick the key. My 94 accord has that problem with the drive door that had no key insert.

Let us know and will see if we try something else...

There are two ways to get to the glove box to get the code. first one is to disconnect your battery which will deactivate your alarm, now open the door with your key and get to the glove box and get the code. Your other option is to let the alarm just sound and reach in the glove box. Your final resort is to call Honda and tell them you need the code. They will ask proof of ownership information before they give it to you.



If you can give us any more info that would help us troubleshoot more quickly....

 

And if you have the code all you have to do is input it. The radio will not turn on until you input the code. Can you tell us the brand name of the transmitter? Maybe take a picture of the transmitter if you can that would help us get your car up and running quicker.

 

Thanks guys for all the input. I noticed The fast blinking on the 31st at night with the cabin light flickering. If I try to open the car using the key it sets off the alarm. I did not try to get into the glove box and input the radio codes but had my car towed to the Honda dealer that gave me the "new transmitter" about 6 months ago. they are looking at it now and hopefully won't be anything too severe.
Thanks again

 

Well be careful they might try to get money out of you for if it's nothing cuz your a girl. it sounds like you have a Honda OEM Keyless Entry if you taking directly to Honda if honda gave you a transmitter 6 months ago. I would suggest that when they tell you what's wrong and want to charge you, you tell them you need to talk to your parents to see if they can pay for it and then come here and tell us what they told u. it may just be bs to suck your $$$$.