Broken Valet switch-need replacement

[RningOnFumes]

Hey folks.

I've got a quiry:

Couple of hours ago, I looked down and saw my factory alarm's valet switch was broken off.

So thinking it was a simple fix, I headed over to the local radio shack and bought two types of "Momentary Pushbutton Switches"-- SPST Mini....one was normally open contacts and the other is a normally closed contact.===this was in case i was wrong with taking just closed contacts and had to drive back.

Okay so on with the simpleness of the operation. I tried the "normally closed" contacts and nope, no go...didn't turn off the alarm. So okay...good think i bought the other type...no go either.

the specs of the switches are:
0.5A@ 125 vac, 0.3A @ 50vDC.

and my car is a
1996 Camry LE 2.2


I don't want to get stranded withouth an alarm remote and no valet switch.
Where am i going wrong...I need a totally different switch?

thanks,

d

[88 LE]

I think your problem is that you used a momentary switch.

Try using a normal SPST (single pole single throw, 2 prong) or SPDT (single pole double throw, 3 prong) switch.

[RningOnFumes]

Originally Posted by 88 LE

I think your problem is that you used a momentary switch.

Try using a normal SPST (single pole single throw, 2 prong) or SPDT (single pole double throw, 3 prong) switch.

Thanks for the reply. ^ ^^^ i'll look for the switch if all else fails, thanks ( i'm just stubborn).

I believe i found the problem after having a last ditch effort --breaking down and just gettting the switch from one of the local stereo shops. After i got the new switch, which wasn't the same as the original, it's more of a toggle switch---they charged me 15 bucks for it . When i went to Best buy, they were nice and gave me a free switch (same toggle type).

When i got home, my thinking was " what the hey? If it doesn't work, it's no different than before" ----- So those switches i acquired didn't work.

======After taking the lower dash cover off, i found the problem....one of the wires to the switch was cut/loose. One end was noted in a diagram on the alarm box as going into it, the other wire, didn't show anything, But digging through the tangle, it seems to go to the ground--which i hooked to the ground. I tested it and worked fine.

Here's the problem: I turn on the alarm, two beeps, open door to deliberately set the alarm off. It goes off like normal, but i CAN START the car up by just turning the key to the start position ( not needing the valet switch to be depressed).

Where did i go wrong? that other end wasn't supposed to go to a ground? maybe i fried the switch (with heat) when i soldered?

I'll trouble shoot by just using the bare wires and putting them together and releasing as soon as day light comes, in the mean time any input would be appreciated.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by RningOnFumes

Here's the problem: I turn on the alarm, two beeps, open door to deliberately set the alarm off. It goes off like normal, but i CAN START the car up by just turning the key to the start position ( not needing the valet switch to be depressed).

Does your alarm have a starter disable feature? If so the car shouldn't start if the alarm is on.

Where did i go wrong? that other end wasn't supposed to go to a ground? maybe i fried the switch (with heat) when i soldered?

Both of the wires should goto the switch. A switch will not function with just one wire on it.

You can check the switch with a DMM (digital multi meter). Use the ohms/continuity check and turn the buzzer on.

With the switch flipped one way, you'll have no continuity. And with it flipped the other way, there should be continuity (if you have the buzzer on the meter turned on, you'll hear it).

[RningOnFumes]

Originally Posted by 88 LE

Does your alarm have a starter disable feature? If so the car shouldn't start if the alarm is on.

Yes, this is the alarm that came with the dealer: keyless lock and starter diable. What happens to the car is this...as i turn the ignition to on, the response i get is as if i were going to the motions of actually using the valet switch to turn off the alarm---it chirps three times fast (the same as the valet)

Both of the wires should goto the switch. A switch will not function with just one wire on it.

I agree, but when i looked at the diagram i saw that that it only showed where one end of the switch would go to. The other end, when i unraveled the electric tap seemed to go to a wire that was going to the ground.

You can check the switch with a DMM (digital multi meter). Use the ohms/continuity check and turn the buzzer on.

With the switch flipped one way, you'll have no continuity. And with it flipped the other way, there should be continuity (if you have the buzzer on the meter turned on, you'll hear it).

i believe the problem is in the wire, but i shall check with a meter too.

[RningOnFumes]

88 LE

Hey man,

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my quiries, i appreciate all your help.

Here's the update:

Yes it was me over heating the switch when i was soldering the wires on to it.
Essentially, when i fried the switch, the components inside the switch melted the connection, thus closing it in permanent. So each time i turned the inition i was pretty much "holding" down the switch.
spst mini normally open

Spst normally open

Toggle switch from audio store/ alarm shop

they all work is the conclusion as long as it is one where it closes the circuit.

And as for my particualar system, one wire does go to the main alarm unit and the other goes to the ground. All done!