Disabling and unlocking the Starline alarm on a car

03/02/2022 2,355 Alarms

Author: Victor

Knowing where the Starline service button is located may be necessary, for example, to switch the alarm system to Valet mode in order to carry out vehicle repairs at a service station. When searching for a key, you need to take into account that it has several types of configuration and can be made as a separate unit or built into other elements of the StarLine car alarm. In the first case, the Valet button is a separate device, which is secured with glue or double-sided tape in a secret place.

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Deactivating the Starline A91 alarm using the Valet button

When installing a security system, make sure you know where the Valet service key is installed. If you did not have the opportunity to obtain this information, then you should find it, because with the Valet button you can reset the Starline alarm. It is located in the following places:

• center console, under the decorative plastic near the steering column;
• the button can be located under the glove box or in the compartment;
• near the ashtray: inside or under it;
• sometimes the Valet reset button may be located inside the small pockets;
• near the central tunnel, between the seats;
• next to the fuse box;
• in close proximity to the pedal assembly;
• on the door cards.

Why do you need a service button and where can you find it?

The key acts as a jumper for the contacts located in the car alarm board; when pressed, the circuit is closed and opened. In this way, systems are programmed and control codes are entered, one of which is the system emergency shutdown code.

A small button is located at the end of a two-wire wire coming from the control unit. This location was chosen for security reasons. The unit itself is installed in the interior trim under the dashboard. In order to find the service function button, you will have to remove the wires and casing, but it will not take any effort. The procedure must be performed carefully, since it is very easy to break the panel.

The instructions for Starline security systems usually describe the process of disabling Valet mode.

If the section describing the deactivation process is missing, try the standard steps:

1. Turn on the ignition for a couple of seconds, perform the process quickly.
2. We find the push-button switch. Within 10 seconds from the moment the ignition is turned off, hold down the button for two seconds.
3. The alarm will emit 2 beeps, the lights will blink, and the LED will light up and go out. Valet mode is disabled.

Disarm the Starline A2, A3, A4, A8, A9 alarm system

The system shutdown algorithm for these models is simple. The alarm instruction includes four steps.

1. The key must be used to open the car door. The alarm will sound.
2. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it on.
3. We get to the Valet alarm button. Press it three times for 20 seconds. This is true for Starline A1, A2 or A4 systems. To turn off the A8 or A9, press the Valet key four times.
4. The vehicle will sound an alert and the alarm will turn off. After this, the alarm will be turned off, you can start the engine with the key or reconfigure the system. If you fail to press the Valet button within the 20-second timer, you will no longer be able to turn off the alarm.

Find out how to set the time on Starline A93.

Disconnecting the Starline A6 alarm system

This model is different from the rest of the series. The Starline A6 or A61 car alarm is turned off immediately only after entering a personal code. If the owner does not know it, then it will not be possible to disarm the car. Initially, the secret alarm combination is 11, but it can be changed. It is the owner's responsibility to know the correct number.

1. We open the door with the key (the alarm works) and activate the ignition.
2. Press the Valet button the number of times that corresponds to the first digit of the secret code.
3. Turn off the ignition and turn it on again.
4. Press the Valet alarm key the number of times corresponding to the second digit of the secret code.
5. Turn off the ignition. The hazard lights and siren should stop working. Now the lock is removed and you can start the engine with the key.

Unlocking Starline alarms of other models is also carried out by entering a secret code. The owner must know the combination of numbers.

What it is

Valet mode or simply service mode is widely used in car alarms of various configuration levels and budgets. When this mode is activated, key functions that perform vehicle protection tasks are deactivated. That is, in fact, the car is not protected. This mode is used in situations where the car is safe; it is impossible to disarm it completely, but it is also not worth turning off the system entirely. A striking example is the transfer of a car to a car service center. By turning on the Valet, the alarm will not go off and the technician will have access to the interior, trunk or engine compartment without any problems. In this case, the keychain remains with you.

If we talk about older models, then there is another purpose for the service mode. Previous security systems implied the need to switch to Valet if it was necessary to configure the system.

Usually, when installing a car alarm that has Valet, a special button is installed. They try to put it in the most accessible place so that an attacker does not have the opportunity to use it and disarm the car.

Never tell anyone where this button is. Even if you leave the car at a trusted car service center.

Valet is found on a fairly large number of security systems designed for vehicles.

In particular, they can be found on the following signals:

• Sherkhan Magicar;
• Sheriff;
• Tomahawk;
• Cenmax;
• Jaguar;
• Pandora;
• Ghost;
• Alligator;
• Starline, etc.

In fact, motorists have two main questions:

• how to remove the mode if it is enabled;
• how to activate it.

Somehow I personally encountered the fact that after activation I stubbornly could not disable Valet on my machine. I had to dig into the instruction manual. The problem was resolved quickly. But I advise you to first look at the instructions from your manufacturer.

Unlocking Starline alarm

Sometimes it happens that the system works too often and does not respond to remote control commands. The Starline alarm system can be disabled using the key. It is enough to follow the steps indicated above and enter an individual code or turn off the alarm via the Valet service key. You can disconnect the wires to the battery - then the system will be completely turned off (see photo).

Find out how to set up the Starline A93 key fob.

Disarm without Starline A91 key fob

If you decide to buy an alarm system of this family, then its emergency shutdown occurs in a different way.

1. Open the car door with the key.
2. Before turning off the Starline A91 alarm, you should look at the turns. If they blink four times, this means that the car has entered security mode without a key fob.
3. Turn on the ignition and press the Valet button three times within 20 seconds.
4. Turn off the ignition. As confirmation, the siren will sound twice, indicating that it is completely disabled.

This method is relevant for systems model A91 or A94.

How to unlock the engine under the alarm?

If you need to travel with a non-working system, you can physically turn it off. It is enough to find a special central unit, located under the front panel of most cars. The fuse box is installed here, as well as the CAN bus harness.

The alarm diagram contains a description of the terminals that are responsible for connecting the Starline system, as well as contacts for the blocking relay. The last three should be connected to each other. Even if you were unable to disable the system using the Valet button, you can go to the service center. Learn about programming the Starline A61 alarm key fob.

Why is the Valet button needed?

Almost any Starline alarm can be turned off using the Valet button, which is located anywhere in the car interior (usually closer to the system itself). It is hidden in an inconspicuous place so that it is not easy to find. This is necessary in order to protect the car as much as possible from theft. It may be under the steering wheel - you will have to remove the top or bottom panel to find it. In addition, Valet can be located behind the dashboard, on the door under the rubber and in other places. The location may be different in each car. It all depends on the installers.

Ways to reset (zero) the Starline alarm

Sometimes, in order to connect additional devices or carry out other procedures, a factory reset is required. It works like this.

1. Turn on the ignition. Then press the Valet service button 10 times.
2. Turn off the ignition. 10 signals will sound indicating that the car has entered the factory reset mode.
3. Press the Valet key again and listen to another siren signal.
4. Press button 1 on the key fob, going to the factory settings. A short sound will confirm the success of the procedure.
5. Turn on the ignition to confirm the command. The side lights flash five times (see video).

Turbo timer

In the case of autostart based on temperature, the mode allows the power unit to warm up before the trip, but thanks to the turbo timer, the engine will gradually cool down.

The turbo timer is disabled when the security mode is activated. Hold down button 3 and enter the settings menu located at the bottom of the screen. By short pressing the same button, select the “TURBO” icon and confirm the selection with key 1. “TURBO” should disappear from the screen and a melodic signal should sound.

Photo: 66.RU from partners

Why doesn't the alarm go off?

However, sometimes it happens that Starline presents problems when emergency disarming is required. The procedure for disabling the alarm may be required in a number of cases.

1. Failure of the control panel. If this problem occurs, you should check the key fob battery or car battery. The remote control itself will indicate that the battery has a low capacity - a low battery icon will appear, and it will play a melody. There may be other reasons - the key fob may break due to moisture or burnout of the tracks along with the microcircuits. You will have to open the car without the key fob, and take the device itself to a service center for repair or replacement.
2. Damage to the control unit. The system receives a signal from the key fob buttons, but the unit itself refuses to operate and execute commands. The driver can press the corresponding button - the protection mode is removed and then reinstalled. If the system malfunctions, you should start the car manually.
3. Antenna malfunction. There may be a mechanical failure of the receiving module, as a result of which it does not receive or process input commands. A failed antenna must be repaired or replaced.
4. Spontaneous operation. A car alarm can go off for no apparent reason: turn on the siren, turn on the optics, block the engine, lock the doors. Then the owner's remote control will receive messages about a hacking attempt. If there are no prerequisites for this, then there is probably a short circuit in the circuit itself.