'04 Camry LE alarm behavior bizarre

[mj8]

Everything seems to be working fine with locking and unlocking the car with the key-less entry remote. Here is the problem. I unlock the car and open the door and get something out shut the door I didn't touch the lock button on the lock button in the car or on the remote. If I return minutes later to open the door the alarm goes off and I have to disable the alarm by hitting unlock on the key fob. Obviously the door isn't locked because I just opened it so why is the alarm going off? I'm really confused and can't make any sense of it. Any ideas?

[LynchburgCSI]

The system is programmed to automatically ARM THE ALARM but NOT LOCK THE DOORS. Stupid, but that's the way it is. There may be a way to reprogram it.

[mj8]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

The system is programmed to automatically ARM THE ALARM but NOT LOCK THE DOORS. Stupid, but that's the way it is. There may be a way to reprogram it.

That's terrible, it got me again at Costco filling up at lunch today. I get out fill the tank hop back in an my alarm goes nuts, I'm scramblin to find my keys and everyone in the station is staring at me I looked like a jack a$$.

Anybody know how to reprogram it the alarm?

[imdadullah]

You have passive arming enabled. You can disable it by taking to dealer or wherever you installed.

In these situations, you can put the alarm in valet mode. You can do this by turning/keeping your key in ON position and pressing/toggling the led/switch till it turns from blinking to solid glow.

Update: You can always come out of valet mode by the following the same steps and the led will flash instead of solid. Valet mode is also helpful in those situations where you don't want car alarm to trigger while you leave doors open and do some stuff.

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by imdadullah

You have passive arming enabled. You can disable it by taking to dealer or wherever you installed.

In these situations, you can put the alarm in valet mode. You can do this by turning/keeping your key in ON position and pressing/toggling the led/switch till it turns from blinking to solid glow.

Do take it to the dealer. Do NOT put it in valet mode. Kinda defeats the purpose of the system.

[imdadullah]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

Do take it to the dealer. Do NOT put it in valet mode. Kinda defeats the purpose of the system.

You can always come out of valet mode by the following the same steps and the led will flash instead of solid. Valet mode is also helpful in those situations where you don't want car alarm to trigger while you leave doors open and do some stuff.

Always remember to disable valet mode. Passive arming is a great feature but can be annoying at times. This is when you should use valet mode and revert back ASAP.

[LynchburgCSI]

I advise against putting the system in valet mode because most people forget to exit valet mode. Either way is okay though.

[mj8]

So are my only options to put in valet mode or leave it alone, I don't understand this passive alarm mode?

What alarm modes are available to me?

Does this alarm sound if someone breaks a window or tries to jimmy open the doors (if they were locked)?

[mj8]

Originally Posted by imdadullah

You can do this by turning/keeping your key in ON position and pressing/toggling the led/switch till it turns from blinking to solid glow.

I didn't install this alarm so I have no idea where this toggle would be. All I see is a LED to the left of the steering wheel.

Also, when I lock or unlock the car the alarm siren beeps and the horn beeps as well can I have it where the horn doesn't beep it's rather annoying?

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by mj8

I didn't install this alarm so I have no idea where this toggle would be. All I see is a LED to the left of the steering wheel.

Also, when I lock or unlock the car the alarm siren beeps and the horn beeps as well can I have it where the horn doesn't beep it's rather annoying?

Is this even a factory installed system? The button is usually by the LED regardless of that... but hmmm.

Originally Posted by mj8

So are my only options to put in valet mode or leave it alone, I don't understand this passive alarm mode?

What alarm modes are available to me?

Does this alarm sound if someone breaks a window or tries to jimmy open the doors (if they were locked)?

Valet mode or leave it alone. Those are the options. Passive arming just means that the alarm system will arm itself after 60 seconds or so of all the doors being closed. As for the alarm sounding in valet mode, no, it will not sound. Valet mode = alarm off. At least thats the way I have my alarm installs set up.

[mj8]

Update: I found the override button and I had to actually hold it down while the car was running. After a few seconds the led went solid red and I turned the car off. Now when I lock the or unlock the car all I hear is one chirp saying its locked and it flashes the lights or two chirps and light flashes when it's unlocked. Now if I unlock the car but don't open the door for 60 seconds it re-arms itself and LOCKS the doors. This is the behavior I was seeking. Thanks!

[LynchburgCSI]

Yay! Glad you figured it out.