1981 corvette alarm headache...
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2
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1981 corvette alarm headache...
Hi
I'm new to the forum and seeking some answers about my 81's alarm system.
I shipped my vette to Norway and when my friend was going to pick it up today, the battery was dead of course. He charged the battery and then as he put the key in the ignition, the alarm went off and the car won't start. I know that the alarm arming and disarming is done via the car's door lock. Well the driver side door lock isn't working. Is this the only side I can turn the alarm off? Or can it be turned off on the passenger side too?
Is there any way I can disable the whole alarm thing and still start the car? I do have the remote key for the car which also has an alarm button on it. Will this deactivate the alarm? Any other way to get around this headache? Hope to get the car off the shipping lot asap...
Appreciate any help!
I'm new to the forum and seeking some answers about my 81's alarm system.
I shipped my vette to Norway and when my friend was going to pick it up today, the battery was dead of course. He charged the battery and then as he put the key in the ignition, the alarm went off and the car won't start. I know that the alarm arming and disarming is done via the car's door lock. Well the driver side door lock isn't working. Is this the only side I can turn the alarm off? Or can it be turned off on the passenger side too?
Is there any way I can disable the whole alarm thing and still start the car? I do have the remote key for the car which also has an alarm button on it. Will this deactivate the alarm? Any other way to get around this headache? Hope to get the car off the shipping lot asap...
Appreciate any help!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 3,130
From: Shamong, NJ
On the 1981 factory alarm, unlocking either door with the key, should shut down the alarm. This is the only way to turn off the factory alarm, once it has been tripped.
Charging the battery, and putting the key in the ignition, shouldn't trip the factory alarm. It can only be armed by locking the doors with one of the power lock buttons, or by pushing in both door lock *****, on cars without the power lock option. The alarm can not be armed with the door key locks.
What worry's me is your statement "I do have the remote key for the car which has an alarm button on it." Chevrolet never provided or offered, any kind of remote key for the 1981 Corvette. If you have a remote with an alarm button, it sounds like you may have some sort of aftermarket alarm, installed in the 81.
The aftermarket alarms with the remote key fobs, are usually disarmed by the button in the fob (providing that the key fob's battery is good). These alarms will normally have an override button too, hidden up under the left side of the dash, to shut down the alarm, if the key fob doesn't work. The position of the override button is not standardized, and is really up to the discretion of the installer, so it's position varies from car to car.
I think you'll need to determine if the car has an aftermarket alarm, before you can solve your problem.
Charging the battery, and putting the key in the ignition, shouldn't trip the factory alarm. It can only be armed by locking the doors with one of the power lock buttons, or by pushing in both door lock *****, on cars without the power lock option. The alarm can not be armed with the door key locks.
What worry's me is your statement "I do have the remote key for the car which has an alarm button on it." Chevrolet never provided or offered, any kind of remote key for the 1981 Corvette. If you have a remote with an alarm button, it sounds like you may have some sort of aftermarket alarm, installed in the 81.
The aftermarket alarms with the remote key fobs, are usually disarmed by the button in the fob (providing that the key fob's battery is good). These alarms will normally have an override button too, hidden up under the left side of the dash, to shut down the alarm, if the key fob doesn't work. The position of the override button is not standardized, and is really up to the discretion of the installer, so it's position varies from car to car.
I think you'll need to determine if the car has an aftermarket alarm, before you can solve your problem.
Last edited by gbvette62; Dec 29, 2011 at 04:38 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest CA
As it has already been mentioned there is no key fobs on an 1981. The alarm can only be disengaged by turning the key in the door lock.
I do remember having alarm problems with my 81 shortly after getting the car. It did have the standard alarm installed by GM and it would go off occasionally when I would put the key in to unlock the car.
What I had to do is use a screwdriver across the starter terminals to start the car while the alarm was going off. That seemed to reset the alarm system and I haven't had the problem since.
I did the same process on a neighbors 82 and that also seemed to
reset the alarm system, no problems with his alarm either since then.
I do remember having alarm problems with my 81 shortly after getting the car. It did have the standard alarm installed by GM and it would go off occasionally when I would put the key in to unlock the car.
What I had to do is use a screwdriver across the starter terminals to start the car while the alarm was going off. That seemed to reset the alarm system and I haven't had the problem since.
I did the same process on a neighbors 82 and that also seemed to
reset the alarm system, no problems with his alarm either since then.
