Aftermarket keyless entry
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Aftermarket keyless entry
Will an aftermarket keyless entry work with the factory alarm on my
'85? I'm considering buying a kit but was wondering if the alarm would trigger when the remote unlocks the door.
'85? I'm considering buying a kit but was wondering if the alarm would trigger when the remote unlocks the door.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,297
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
There are kits available that will work with the factory system. I'm using a Bulldog unit and I know the GM universal one works.
CentralCoaster has a good write up on his site, for the GM one.
CentralCoaster has a good write up on his site, for the GM one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 762
Likes: 2
From: Huntington ma
The '85 system (pre VATS) arms and disarms only with the door lock switches - on the back of the door lock tumblers. Only when you lock a door from Outside with the key does the alarm activate, and only when you Unlock a door from the outside with a key does it disarm.
The factory alarm does not care what happens with the Power lock solenoids, switches or relay.
That said - any aftermarket keyless entry system will work fine on an 85 with no factory alarm issues. The cheap JC Whitney unit I wired into mine 7 years ago works great...
The factory alarm does not care what happens with the Power lock solenoids, switches or relay.
That said - any aftermarket keyless entry system will work fine on an 85 with no factory alarm issues. The cheap JC Whitney unit I wired into mine 7 years ago works great...
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
Aftermarket Alarm with keyless entry
Aftermarket Alarm with keyless entry installation
What do you need to do to the factory alarm system in an 84-85 Corvette? I would like to install an aftermarket alarm with keyless entry.
What do you need to do to the factory alarm system in an 84-85 Corvette? I would like to install an aftermarket alarm with keyless entry.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
I don't think I have locked the doors on my car more than 3 times in the three years I have had it.
I figure if someone wants in bad enough they are going to get in so i just leave the doors unlocked and they don't need to break or cut anything.
I figure if someone wants in bad enough they are going to get in so i just leave the doors unlocked and they don't need to break or cut anything.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Check the J.C. Whitney website or most any auto parts store for the kits. However try to make sure the kit has everything you need to do the install. Some kits need extra components you have to buy to install them.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
where are you located???
DG
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Over the summer i ordered and installed a factory VKE1000 keyless entry system. It was $100. Well spent!! It works perfectly with the factory alarm system, and it has a pretty decent range. It also has GM style remotes which make me feel special 
. Installation was a PITA. Agent86 and Central Coaster were very helpful when it came to answering questions about my install... thanks again guys,
DG
. Installation was a PITA. Agent86 and Central Coaster were very helpful when it came to answering questions about my install... thanks again guys,DG
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Do not try and integrate a keyless system with the factory alarm. Throw the factory alarm in the garbage and start from scratch with a complete new system.
There's nothing inherently wrong with the alarm, it can work perfectly with the keyless, but only after pulling some hair out and wiring in extra relays.
Danspeed, does your system arm if you use the keyless to lock the doors with the doors shut? Does the alarm still trip if you arm it then reach in, unlock it at the inner door switch then open the door?
There's nothing inherently wrong with the alarm, it can work perfectly with the keyless, but only after pulling some hair out and wiring in extra relays.
Danspeed, does your system arm if you use the keyless to lock the doors with the doors shut? Does the alarm still trip if you arm it then reach in, unlock it at the inner door switch then open the door?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 504
Likes: 82
From: Melbourne Victoria
Are you covered by insurance for theft in this case, here if they find out you left the car unlocked they can deny the claim.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Do not try and integrate a keyless system with the factory alarm. Throw the factory alarm in the garbage and start from scratch with a complete new system.
There's nothing inherently wrong with the alarm, it can work perfectly with the keyless, but only after pulling some hair out and wiring in extra relays.
Danspeed, does your system arm if you use the keyless to lock the doors with the doors shut? Does the alarm still trip if you arm it then reach in, unlock it at the inner door switch then open the door?
There's nothing inherently wrong with the alarm, it can work perfectly with the keyless, but only after pulling some hair out and wiring in extra relays.
Danspeed, does your system arm if you use the keyless to lock the doors with the doors shut? Does the alarm still trip if you arm it then reach in, unlock it at the inner door switch then open the door?
When i get out i just hit the lock button on the way out the door and its good to go. If you break the window and jump in the car won't start and the alarm sounds if you open the door. good enough for me.
DG
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
At least it disarms the factory alarm...
I've seen quite a few "free installs" where after hitting the button they still had to use the key to disarm the system.
I've seen quite a few "free installs" where after hitting the button they still had to use the key to disarm the system.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
I'm almost never in a situation where the car is being left where I would worry about it.
Honestly I would likely lock the car a lot more often if I had keyless entry.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
I had a friend a while back who had a monte carlo and decided to have a remote start system wired in. I could never understand why but he had to have the key in the ignition for the remote start to work. So he would have to leave the key in overnight just so he didn't have to walk out in the morning to start the car.
DG
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
Keyless entry with Factory Alarm
A 84-85 Corvette can use a keyless Remote Security System Audiovox AA925. This can be added to the factory alarm in the car. To do this you will need one additional relay to disable the factory alarm while unlocking the door. An additional relay can be added for the extra channel on the remote to open the glass hatch.
Most of the wiring is completed in the driverside door. Ignition and power is located under the steering column.
The complete job cost about $70.
Most of the wiring is completed in the driverside door. Ignition and power is located under the steering column.
The complete job cost about $70.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Plumas Lake CA
The '85 system (pre VATS) arms and disarms only with the door lock switches - on the back of the door lock tumblers. Only when you lock a door from Outside with the key does the alarm activate, and only when you Unlock a door from the outside with a key does it disarm.
The factory alarm does not care what happens with the Power lock solenoids, switches or relay.
That said - any aftermarket keyless entry system will work fine on an 85 with no factory alarm issues. The cheap JC Whitney unit I wired into mine 7 years ago works great...
The factory alarm does not care what happens with the Power lock solenoids, switches or relay.
That said - any aftermarket keyless entry system will work fine on an 85 with no factory alarm issues. The cheap JC Whitney unit I wired into mine 7 years ago works great...
This is straight from my '85 owner's manual:
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
So it sound like the only way to activate the alarm system in a 84-85 Corvetter is to use the power door lock switch located on the drivers door. So while the door is open, and your ready to get out, you will lock the doors. This activate the alarm.
While the car is locked, you will need to place the key in the tumbler to open. This will deactivate the alarm.
So if you close your door, place key in lock, and turn key to lock door. The alarm will not be on. It can only be done with the power lock switch located on the door panel.
Is this correct?
While the car is locked, you will need to place the key in the tumbler to open. This will deactivate the alarm.
So if you close your door, place key in lock, and turn key to lock door. The alarm will not be on. It can only be done with the power lock switch located on the door panel.
Is this correct?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
So it sound like the only way to activate the alarm system in a 84-85 Corvetter is to use the power door lock switch located on the drivers door. So while the door is open, and your ready to get out, you will lock the doors. This activate the alarm.
While the car is locked, you will need to place the key in the tumbler to open. This will deactivate the alarm.
So if you close your door, place key in lock, and turn key to lock door. The alarm will not be on. It can only be done with the power lock switch located on the door panel.
Is this correct?
While the car is locked, you will need to place the key in the tumbler to open. This will deactivate the alarm.
So if you close your door, place key in lock, and turn key to lock door. The alarm will not be on. It can only be done with the power lock switch located on the door panel.
Is this correct?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Any consensus on the best system for an 85
The Audiovox mentioned above? I am not too concerned about the horn, I mean, if someone wants the car bad enough they can have it, that why I have insurance,, for upgrading to a new one
The Audiovox mentioned above? I am not too concerned about the horn, I mean, if someone wants the car bad enough they can have it, that why I have insurance,, for upgrading to a new one
