In this article we will look at the alarm system of the manufacturer Starline model A93 and variations of its configuration. In addition, we will compare the A93 model with other popular models from this manufacturer and with a similar model from a competitor. First, a few words about the Starline A93 car alarm configuration in general:
- On cheaper and simpler lines of alarms, the kit only includes: a block, key fobs (2 pcs.), wires and fasteners, instructions.
- More expensive and serious lines include up to three key fobs (2 main + 1 additional) and a powerful separate sound siren, installed separately from the main one.
General description of the alarm
Car alarm StarLine A93 with feedback and smart auto engine start. There is protection by an interactive control code with 128-bit encryption keys, which protects against interception of the radio signal by code grabbers. The car alarm works great in urban radio interference conditions.
StarLine A93 is equipped with a shock-resistant key fob with an internal protected antenna. The built-in color LCD display displays the clock, timer, vehicle interior temperature and charge level of the AAA battery used. Operation is ensured in the temperature range from -50 to +85 °C. Communication range is guaranteed at a distance of up to 2000 meters.
Photo gallery
Photos of devices of different models are shown below.
Model Eco line A93
Alarm Starline A93 GSM
Packaging of the CAN+LIN system
Model 2CAN+2LIN
Alarm characteristics
Security functions of STARLINE A93
- Dialogue protection: the presence of a convenient interactive 128-bit control code, which cannot be penetrated by any of the known code grabbers (devices that allow reading the system code);
- Radio interference protection StarLine works reliably in conditions of extreme urban radio interference
- SUPER SLAVE (optional) Control of vehicle security using a standard key fob with reliable additional interactive authorization using an additional StarLine key fob. Option available when integrating 2CAN or CAN+LIN interface
- Extended temperature range Operates at temperatures from minus 50 to plus 85 ° C
- Record energy efficiency Battery charge lasts up to 60 days in security mode
- Communication channel monitoring Constant communication channel monitoring checks whether the key fob is within the alarm coverage area
- Authorization by PIN code (optional) Additional authorization by entering an individual PIN code. Option available when integrating 2CAN or CAN+LIN interface
- 3D shock and tilt sensor will work when jacking up and evacuating the car
- Telematics (optional) Remote control of vehicle security, with the integration of optional GSM-GPRS, GPS-GLONASS etc
- Control from your phone GSM interface allows you to control and receive alerts on your phone
- Free monitoring (optional) When you connect StarLine GPS-GLONASS-Master, you can find out the location of your car with an accuracy of several meters
- Autostart Intelligent autostart allows you to start the engine based on temperature, at a specified time or periodically
- 2CAN (optional) Integration of the 2CAN interface ensures installation of alarm systems on vehicles equipped with several digital CAN buses
- CAN+LIN (optional) Integration of the CAN+LIN interface ensures quick installation on vehicles equipped with CAN, LIN buses, such as: Lada Kalina, Lada Kalina II, Lada Priora and Lada Granta
- Flexible service channels Can be programmed: hazard warning lights, folding mirrors, customizable seats and much more
- Shockproof keychain with protected antenna
Specifications
The main distinguishing feature of this alarm system among others in the same price category can be noted
- Three stages of protection. First comes the password, then the immobilizer, then the standard system
- Smart engine start, based on temperature time, timer, alarm clock or after a time interval
- The range of the key fob reaches two kilometers
- Quick installation, without interfering with the vehicle system
- Remote adjustment function
Should I take Pandora?
Pandora (pandora dx50) is a good competitor to Starline, it has both positive aspects, these are:
- Operating range of the alarm key fob;
- Good noise immunity;
- Extremely secure communication channel with a frequency of 868 MHz;
- Many security sensors;
- Compactness of the security unit;
- Connection to LIN/CAN buses.
Of course, domestic developers have made a good, and most importantly, crypto-resistant signaling with good noise immunity and a wide signal range. But we can’t talk about its disadvantages:
- Price. For the price of a Starline kit with a GPS/GSM monitoring option, you will get Pandora in the “base” without such a function.
- Set. Starline A93 comes with a powerful additional siren, Pandora does not have such a function.
- Dependence on on-board voltage. The Pandora car alarm is very sensitive to voltage drops below 12V, Starline is much more stable in this regard.
Only the user decides what exactly to choose; the difference is not that big. But it’s worth saying that if the owner needs maximum functionality and reliability when working in any conditions, then it’s worth paying attention to Starline. If you need regular monitoring of the vehicle’s condition, noise immunity and operating range, then Pandora is the choice.
Scope of delivery of the Starline A93 alarm system
Starline a93 delivery set
- Brief operating instructions;
- Warranty card;
- Memo;
- Main control keychain with feedback and LCD display;
- Central processing unit;
- Main key fob battery (AAA);
- Additional relay together with block;
- Additional keychain;
- Power module;
- Standard immobilizer bypass module*; siren*; — power cable for power supply and control of light signals;
- Transceiver module (transceiver)
- Cable for connecting the power module and engine temperature sensor to the car alarm unit;
- 2CAN interface connection cable;
- Central locking cable with 6-pin connector;
- Cable with 6-pin connector for connecting car alarm inputs;
- Main cable with 10-pin connector;
- Transceiver connection cable;
- LED indicating alarm status;
- Wire for connecting the hood limit switch;
- Service button;
- Engine temperature sensor;
- Adapter for connecting additional sensors;
- Hood limit switch, 2 self-tapping screws, ground terminal, 1N4007 diodes
Video review of the configuration:
Pros and cons compared to A91
The Starline A93 Dialog model is a successor to the A91 generation. The latter is today considered obsolete and is no longer produced or supplied to the market. Its functionality is significantly weaker than that of the A93 model.
The A91 anti-theft system lacks the following:
- driver authorization using PIN code;
- communication channel control option;
- the ability to carry out self-diagnosis by the alarm to determine non-working areas and devices;
- The A91 signal kit does not include smart tilt and shock controllers.
According to reviews, the A91 model does not have a keyless entry option; installing additional units will not solve this problem. There is also no hidden bus protection function. This allows the criminal to quickly find the alarm control module and hack it by disconnecting the power and de-energizing the siren. Although the A91 model is crypto-resistant, which makes it quite reliable, the A93 has options that provide more comfortable control.
Important functions of the Starline A93 alarm system
What areas does Starline A93 protect:
- All opening parts: doors, hood, trunk, parking brake, brake pedal, control, through limit switches
- Body, vibration response, two-level shock sensor, tilt sensor
- Ignition, control via input to the ignition circuit
- Engine - blocking relay, code relay StarLine R3 (optional)
- Interior space - additional sensor (optional)
Anti-theft device options:
- Security mode with sound and light alarms
- Providing alarm alerts to a key fob with an LCD display
- Silent activation/deactivation of security mode
- Silent security mode
- Security mode with engine running
- Turning security on/off without using a key fob
- Automatic return to security mode in case of accidental shutdown
- Automatic arming
- Immobilizer mode
- Anti-robbery mode
- Panic mode
- Programmable personal code for emergency disarming of the security mode
- Engine blocking and its preservation when dismantling the car alarm
- Programmable 2-step engine lock release
Self-diagnosis and fault detection functions:
- Indication of trigger causes for 11 zones
- Alarm of a faulty zone when arming
- Automatic monitoring of the status of security sensors with disabling faulty ones and reporting their malfunction
- Indication of the fact of activation by sound signals
- Indication of car alarm by LED and on the key fob display
- LED indication of limit switch serviceability
What service functions does this model have:
- Activating sensors before turning off the interior lights and bypassing the door area
- Disabling security, adjusting the volume of signals
- Remote disabling of the shock and tilt sensor in security mode
- Remote control of the central locking system (central locking)
- Central locking control from the ignition switch
- Two-step lock opening
- Two-pulse closing of door locks
- Six channels for controlling additional equipment
- Car battery voltage monitoring
- Determining the temperature inside and outside the car
- Search from car
- Light alarm for open doors
- Turbo timer mode
- Remote programming of functions and key fobs
- Service mode
- Car interior light control
- Call from car
- Insurance against accidental pressing of key fob buttons
- Registering new key fobs and deleting lost ones from the system memory
- Setting the time, alarm clock, timer
- Main key fob charging control
- Possibility of working together with GSM modules StarLine M20, M30 and StarLine M21, M31 (car alarm control and monitoring its status via GSM channel
- Remote and automatic start, extension, engine stop
- Remote engine start in cars with a start-stop button
- Works with any engine: gasoline/diesel
- Transmission choice: manual or automatic
- Monitoring engine operation using signals from a tachometer, generator or mains voltage
- Protection against starter overexposure when starting the engine
- Understanding the remaining engine operating time on the key fob
Setting up autostart alarm Starline A93
Starting the car:
- Move the gearshift knob to the neutral/parking position (switch off all gears);
- Turn off the ignition and remove the key from it (the engine must be on);
- Activate the parking brake (on manual)
- Close all doors tightly, as well as the hood and trunk lid;
If any step is missed, remote launch is not possible. But with proper preparation of the car (the engine is turned off by the alarm itself), it can be started from the remote control in different ways.
Press and hold button 1 (until two melodic beeps appear), then release the button
It is not possible to start the engine automatically if the vehicle's ignition is turned on, the brake pedal is pressed, the hood is slightly open or the parking brake is applied, and on vehicles with a manual transmission the "soft neutral" procedure has not been performed.
Periodically starting the engine from the key fob:
This function is especially relevant in winter, when periodic warming up of the engine is required. The starline a93 key fob can automatically start the engine to warm up (after 2, 3, 4, 24 hours).
How to set up autorun by time
The Starline A93 alarm system allows you to regularly start the car engine at regular intervals. The start period can be set from 2 hours to 24 hours with a minimum increment of 2 hours.
To activate the mode, you must:
- place the key fob cursor on the icon with the image of an hourglass and briefly press button No. 1 - the car will respond with one light signal, and the key fob with one melodic sound;
- The key fob display will display the current value of the car engine autostart period for 4 seconds (for example, “4H” means that the engine will start every 4 hours).
To change the engine autostart period, you need to lightly press button No. 1 until the desired value appears on the display. Each press of button No. 1 increases the automatic start period by 2 hours.
After the desired autorun period value is displayed on the display, press button No. 1 and hold it until a melodic trill sounds, or wait until the selected autorun period is automatically saved, which will occur 4 seconds after selecting the desired parameter. At the same time, two short melodic signals will sound on the key fob, and an icon with an hourglass will begin to appear on its display. A few seconds after setting the selected parameters, the engine will automatically start and warm up.
Activate autostart mode based on temperature
This feature monitors the outside air temperature and, if necessary, starts the car engine to warm up. The start temperature is set within the range from -3 °C to -27 °C, the minimum step is 3 °C. The minimum period of time between restarts (excluding time spent warming up the engine) is 60 minutes. Once the user activates the temperature-based engine start feature, the number of temperature starts is not limited.
To enable engine autostart mode based on temperature, perform the following steps:
- press the icon with the image of a key and button No. 1 - the car reacts with one light signal, and the key fob emits a melodic trill once;
- over the next 4 sec. the key fob display shows the current value of the starting temperature;
- to change the temperature value, you need to press button No. 1 (1 press = 3 oC);
- after selecting the desired temperature parameters, hold down button No. 1 until a sound signal is heard, or wait for automatic saving, which occurs after 4 seconds.
If the engine autostart function based on temperature is successfully activated, the key fob emits two short melodic signals, and the icon with the image of a key on the key fob display becomes active.
Auto start on alarm clock
When this function is activated, the car engine will automatically start at the specified time. To activate the function, perform the following steps:
- the key fob cursor is moved to the icon with the image of a clock and button No. 1 is briefly pressed, after which the car emits one light signal, and the key fob emits one melodic sound;
- the key fob display shows the time after which the engine will automatically start according to the alarm clock;
- after 5 sec. The current time display on the key fob resumes.
The engine autostart function using an alarm clock is activated for one start cycle. The fact that the mode has been successfully enabled is indicated by active icons depicting a clock and a bell on the key fob display.
How to set the time on Starline A93
Press button 4 until there are three signals: one melodic and two short. At this time, the clock image will start flashing.
Setting up the clock must begin within eight seconds, otherwise the key fob will exit the function menu
The hours are set with button 2, minutes with button 3. After setting the hours, the transition to minutes is carried out using button 4.
Another press of button No. 4 leads to setting the alarm clock. The alarm clock is set in the same way as the time. Exit the alarm clock setting mode using button 4.
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