Thinking about buying 98 camry, need some advice..

[newbie212]

Saw in my local paper this ad "98 camry le, ran great when parked, wont start, 112k, $700 obo" so i called... I talked to this guy and he told me that the reason the car wont start ( he was told) was because there is a short somewhere in the alarm system....You turn the key and nothing happens. He tried jumping it and nothing happens.. I owned a 97 camry before with the rs3000 security system factory installed and while cleaning the car, i removed my control box from under the seat. I forgot to put it back and my car wouldnt start... Now I know that this persons box is probably still intact but is there anyway to totally disable the alarm with a fuse or something? I am hesitant about buying a car without being able to hear it run and if I can do an easy fix and disable the alarm system completely I'd be a happy camper with a $700 camry... Any advice would be appreciated.. Thanks

[RningOnFumes]

you could try diableing it by depressing the valet switch which can usually be fourn on the driver's side kick panel. Turn key to on, Press it, wait for a beep and start the car.

[mazdaverx7]

a lot of times, just removing the alarm is the best way. almost all alarm control boxes are mounted under teh dash, near the steering shaft. you can unplug the main control box and trace every wire and disconnect it. for $700, you cant go wrong.

[jhbhatia]

for $700 its a steal. Go grab em

[eyeball96]

700 bucks for a 98, I'd tow it home for that....The current owner will freak tho if you remove the kick panel, push a button, it starts, and you drive away!.....Be sure to take a pic of the look on his face if that happens!

[marc780]

Newbie, shh, Find the alarm and cut the wires. It will probly be the cleanest part under the hood - and will look like the add on that it is!
Then change the battery. maybe the alarm is draining it. $700= a good deal if the car is otherwise good!
The guy is frustrated and just wants to dump it. so take advantage of it - i would!
doesnt sound a hard issue to fix, theres a power drain and not hard to fix. if you need additional help post here or im me.

[JMSinMD]

Ask him if he'll take $500, the cost of towing and possibly taking it to a junkyard will make up the difference , if he says no still buy it. You can throw it on ebay and get more for it, if you can't get it to work.