'98 civic EX, with factory alarm(?), all of a sudden it won't respond to either one of my keyless remotes (one with a new battery, so I am certain it isn't the remotes) and of course I can't start the car. Anyone know how to shut off the alarm so I can drive it to the dealership? I'd really like to avoid a long and expensive tow.

Had been working fine for several years(ever since I bought it) until last month when it occassionally began briefly not responding to the 'unlock' button, but responding to the others(taillights would flash). So I got another keyless remote(and new batteries), which worked fine. But tonight the car doesn't respond at all to either remote(no flashing taillights), the dome light was flickering strangely, and I could sometimes hear a cycling clicking, like it was locking and unlocking on its own. Am guessing something in the module is screwed.

Called a dealership, and they said that since it was factory it would most likely have to be towed in. Said that I could try manually unlocking all doors with the key before opening, but if that didn't bypass the alarm, it would have to be towed.

I'm pretty sure its a factory alarm, as that is what the dealer service rep I talked to thought, also. Bought used, but operates via Honda keyless remotes, one of which was just bought and programmed at the dealership, with the guy punching some radio buttons to program it.

I've heard that if you disconnect the battery, sometimes that will reset the alarm, but not if there is a backup battery. Anyone know if 98 Civic EX's alarms have backup batteries? I've also seen a suggestion that disconnecting the battery and pumping the brakes will reset/turn off some alarms. Anyone know for sure, or somewhere on the internet where I can get more info?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

If its factory aftermarket (like mine), you can disconnect the main box (under the dash, that'll let you start it), then take it to the dealer and have it checked.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm somewhat of a tech illiterate, would it be obvious which wires to disconnect? I'm going to be digging around under there with the alarm screaming, so I'd like to do it quick if possible.

 

this happened to me too!! i got wicked pissed becuase i couldnt start my car, so i poped the hood and just ripped the wires off the alarm, it didnt work, it just made it quiet, luckily i was at a wal-mart so i just got new batteries in my remote, and that worked. just thought i'd share my story, peace.

 

the alarm unit can be anywhere under the dash or in the engine compartment, alot of them now, thanks to computer chips, are actually inside the loud speaker, why dont you disconnect the speaker first so you dont have that in your head?
also alot of the new alarms are ignition programmable, you turn the key like 5 times ending in the on position, to disable, need more info on model or part number off the siren , something, good luck.....

 

Hey, digging up an old thread because this is the exact situation I was in yesterday. Still don't know what caused the problem, but to disable the security system you can pull the TWO 3A fuses in the fuse panel. I had pulled the one labeled security, but it did nothing. Looked it up and found there were two fuses. Once pulled, the alarm stopped and I was able to start the car.

On the other hand, did you (or anyone) find out what the problem was? I replaced the batteries in the remotes and no change. After getting in the car and operating the power door locks, I noticed that after one or two operations they get sluggish and often just stop acctuating. Do I have a bad module?? Any help would be appreciated! Looking forward to getting involved in the forum!

Erich

 

thanks a lot!! I pulled the 3 amp fuses. The first one I pulled nothing happened but the second one I pulled the alarm went off and I was able to start the car. I then put back the first one I pulled. So running the car without that 3 amp fuse that stopped the alarm and all seems to be working fine. I tried many suggested things and this is the only one that worked. Thanks so much !!!!