Proper Function to Disable Alarm Completely

[JuBond]

Hi,

I've been battling with the Cobra alarm unit for an hour now... I can enter the programming mode and navigate my way through... I just need to know which function under the "Functions Table" eliminates both the alarm and immobilizer from coming on when pressing the "A" button. Basically, all I want is for the key fob to lock and unlock my doors, that's it. No alarm, no immobilizer. Is there some extra secret function that isn't in the programming guide?? I've tried options "L, M, and N"... none do what I want.

EDIT: And yes, I've searched the forums. There have been posts stating that this is possible, but none give the actual sequence to do it.

[TheViper]

There is no programing function to do what you want.
Cheers,
Michael

Originally Posted by JuBond

Hi,

I've been battling with the Cobra alarm unit for an hour now... I can enter the programming mode and navigate my way through... I just need to know which function under the "Functions Table" eliminates both the alarm and immobilizer from coming on when pressing the "A" button. Basically, all I want is for the key fob to lock and unlock my doors, that's it. No alarm, no immobilizer. Is there some extra secret function that isn't in the programming guide?? I've tried options "L, M, and N"... none do what I want.

[JuBond]

Thanks for the quick response. Is there any way to do what I want? I'm not afraid to rip things apart/jumper wires, etc.

[TheViper]

Yes there is:
MODIFYING ALARM WHILE CDL REMAINS OPERABLE
1) Immobilizer - Wires that terminate at immobilizer plug terminals 1 & 6 (fuel pump) and 5 & 12 (starter) to be splice together (1 to 6 & 5 to 12). Immobilizer plug must remain connected.
2) Microwave Sensor – Disconnect all wires a Microwave and insulate ends.
3) Directional Indicator Lights – Disconnect Alarm Module wires, GW (green/white) from terminal 5 and GR (green/red) from terminal 7.
4) Siren – Leave all external wires connected. Remove screws and remove panel to gain access to the internals. Disconnect the two wires that go from the circuit board to the speaker & insulate ends.
5) OPTIONAL (without this modification these three switches will still trigger an alarm) – Trunk & Front Access Panel Switches – Disconnect Alarm Module wire RK (red/pink) from terminal 21
6) OPTIONAL (without this modification these two door switches will still trigger and alarm and the interior light will not operate automatically) - Door Switches – Install a 1k resistor between the Interior Light P (purple) wire and the Alarm Module PW (purple/white) wire, terminal 9. Cut and insulate the same PW (purple/white) wire after the resistor connection. Order of connections in PW wire; “cut”, “Resistor connection”, “Alarm terminal 9”.
Michael

Originally Posted by JuBond

Thanks for the quick response. Is there any way to do what I want? I'm not afraid to rip things apart/jumper wires, etc.

[JuBond]

Thank you!

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by JuBond

Thanks for the quick response. Is there any way to do what I want? I'm not afraid to rip things apart/jumper wires, etc.

Okay, I've got to ask... Why do you want to disable the alarm? You can disable things so that they don't come on automatically, but what's the problem of the alarm coming on when you lock the doors?

[Rainier]

Hi

I'm going on vacation soon for 2 to 4 weeks and want to minimize battery drainage
(I don't have access to an electrical outlet for a battery tender).

If I

1. lock the doors manually, and
2. don't press the key fob alarm button

I'm assuming the engine imobiliser will turn ON and the alarm senors will all remain OFF.

Can anyone confirm if this is correct and will help to improve battery life significantly?

Thanks

[Kaliuzhkin]

Originally Posted by Rainier

Hi

I'm going on vacation soon for 2 to 4 weeks and want to minimize battery drainage
(I don't have access to an electrical outlet for a battery tender).

If I

1. lock the doors manually, and
2. don't press the key fob alarm button

I'm assuming the engine imobiliser will turn ON and the alarm senors will all remain OFF.

Can anyone confirm if this is correct and will help to improve battery life significantly?

Thanks

Wait for the beeping red light on the Dashboard cluster to come on. Then press the right button. This puts it into "valet" mode.

"At the next arming command, the valet mode will be switched
off, and normal immobilisation resume." Manual, page 31.

[Rainier]

Thanks.

I should have clarified, that I want the imobilizer to be ON (for extra security) and just turn the alarm OFF to reduce the battery drain.

(If that's possible.)

[TheViper]

All that you stated is true. If your Immobilizer is programmed to arm passively (automatically) there will be a lessor drain than arming the alarm also. For 2 weeks, with a healthy, large AH battery it should be OK. Another alternative if you were not worried about security would be to disconnect the negative battery terminal. Just read what you added, Yes, do exactly as you stated.
Cheers,
Michael

Originally Posted by Rainier

Hi

I'm going on vacation soon for 2 to 4 weeks and want to minimize battery drainage
(I don't have access to an electrical outlet for a battery tender).

If I

1. lock the doors manually, and
2. don't press the key fob alarm button

I'm assuming the engine imobiliser will turn ON and the alarm senors will all remain OFF.

Can anyone confirm if this is correct and will help to improve battery life significantly?

Thanks

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Rainier

2. don't press the key fob alarm button

I'm assuming the engine immobilizer will turn ON and the alarm senors will all remain OFF.

Yep. The immobilizer will automatically activate, but the alarm will not. When the alarm activates, it increases the current draw by about 50% - if I remember correctly the alarm/immobilizer draws 10 ma with the alarm off, and 15 with the alarm on.

The car has a "dark current" draw of around 50 ma (if I remember correctly), which includes the ECU, the radio, and the immobilizer/alarm.

[TheViper]

Alarm/Immobilizer Only - Cobra 8186 manual – 9ma Disarmed 13ma Armed

Whole Car (not inc. radio) - Service Notes, Section MP, Page 17, Quiescent Drain whole car – 15ma Immobilizer Active 20ma Alarm Set

[Rainier]

Ha - I didn't think about the radio - I'll unplug that too

[TheViper]

From my amp meter reading the radio takes 0 when it is off. However if you feel comfortable you can just pull the F15 fuse. The other drain is the ECU.
Michael

Originally Posted by Rainier

Ha - I didn't think about the radio - I'll unplug that too