Lacking an owners manual, I have been unable to make my factory security system succumb to my wishes to drive. Any masters out there, feel free to school a novice like me on what I need to know.

I've got three keys (one for the hatch and two for the doors/ignition). The hatch key is shorter (does this matter?). There is a two terminal female plug that hooks up under my dash pod to what I assume to be the ignition kill. It has been left unhooked in the past, and the previous owner had no problems. I hooked it back up to find that it made some sort of buzzing noise come from the center console behind the radio (investigation revealed the source to be a little black box with all sorts of interesting writing on it, the PN escapes me at the moment). I checked the terminals and found the wires were shorting inside the connection, so I repaired them. It doesn't buzz any more, which I think is good.

However, the basic problem is, my car doesn't start. I've done what I know to de-activate the security system, but to no avail. The previous owner was the master, and he has left to go fight in the great petrol crusade (facetious of course). With any luck, I'll be driving my shark again before I am compelled to join him in the big sandbox.

As an aside, you can add one more famous (infamous) shark driver to the list. Que'sai Hussein is known to drive a modified (read: assasin-proof) gold 1988 S4. We'll do our best to recover it intact.

Tim

1981 928 5 Speed
black on black

 

The hatch lock has been changed, and you don't have the master key for the hatch. Sounds as if the PO put a (much cheaper) non-alarm lock on the hatch.

While it is possible that your problems are due to the alarm, it is not definite.

To disable the alarm system, pull Plug Z and bridge terminal 1 and 6. Plug Z is the lower of the two short horizontal plugs in the center of the row.

If this doesn't help, start checking relays, especially the fuel pump relay.

 

Thanks Wally,

It would seem that the lock was changed (checked parts record). It's indicated that the lock is an alarm lock, which seems to be true due to the fact that with the alarm set, it goes off when I pop the hatch. However, I don't think I have the right key.

Which Row are you talking about (general location please)?

I pulled a plug and found that I am indeed getting fuel delivery during start as there is a carbon buildup on the plugs and obvious fuel smell when I removed them. There are no airflow blocks, and there was evidence of some sort of ignition going on (carbon on one side of the spark plug). I metered the ignition coil's resistance and found it to be about 9.42 ohms at both terminals compared to the center post. From what I can gather from the manuals, this isn't right. I've ordered a replacement already that should arrive tommorrow.

Please advise.

Tim

 

The row of plugs at the bottom of the central power panel.

 

Thanks again Wally, I'll check it out after I replace the coil.

I metered the coil again and got a constant 9.6 ohm resistance from both posts this time. Does this sound right to you?

 

Teufel-

Do a search on Rennlist for "Bypass Factory Alarm". Wally posted a very good description on how to bypass the alarm...

Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed

 

The last thing that I thought I would ever see was steps on how to deactivate the security system. I guess we need a new name for it now like temporary noise maker. I now that people are trying to be helpful, however we are talking about the security of our cars here. This is something that ownership should be proven. This is an open site for anyone to see.

 

I agree with Ell. It doesn't matter how good the security system is... if you describe how to disable it.

 

Good point Ell, however we are talking about 25 year old technology here. I think most of the guys that beat these systems on their own 20 years ago are already out of prison.

If you are serious about the security of your vehicle, then you shouldn't rely on the factory system alone. It's like Mr Miyagi; good, but old and easy to defeat.

 

A pro who wants your car will get it.

Nobody wants 928s. Look at the list of most-stolen cars.

To disable the alarm system as I have described will require a thief to already have the car.

We constantly have people who think that they are having alarm system problems - should we just tell them to junk the car?

My recommendations have always been, and continue to be:
Get the factory alarm system working properly.
Don't put an aftermarket alarm system on the car.

The alarm system on a car is like a lock on your door at home - all you are keeping out are the amateurs and lazy thieves.

 

Wally, I couldn't agree more. Except that I am devoid the power door locks and will be installing some in conjunction with the convenient (and relatively secure) remote keyless entry.

I have an aside that you may be able to help me with.

It wasn't the alarm at all.

Check out my new thread "Aha! It's not the Security System"

By the way, it works fine, I'm going to reconnect it here in a minute.

Tim

 

Stealing my 928 is like stealing my high maintenance wife............? or like bringing a live Grizzly bear home for dinner.....NOW what do we do? who gets to cook it?