Alarm system not working properly & ABS light remains on in my car

[susan_t]

Hey guys,

It's me!!  I'm experiencing a new problem, not sure what to make of it.  I hope you guys can help me out.
Ok, I have a strange problem. When I start my car, my alarm system automatically locks the doors in a couple of seconds. Lately, I've noticed after starting my car, my ABS light remains on and my power door locks do not lock on it's own. After about 30 seconds or so, the door locks and my ABS light goes off. Does anyone have any idea what's wrong? 

Thanks.

[articsteve]

Not a clue.

Drive it till she blows.

[susan_t]

articsteve my dear, you always have the solution.     Somebody, help!!

[articsteve]

Thank you for the kind words.

That is exactly what I keep telling folks here.

[susan_t]

You're welcome.  You sure know you're stuff.

You're too funny!!

[tpl]

The abs light should always come on for a short time on startup to check the bulb and to do a check of all the system sensors...5 seconds? 10 seconds?

As for the alarm and locks.     Is the car supposed to lock its doors when you start moving?  IS the alarm factory equipment?

This is a '91 yes? I seem to remember from previous threads.

I would be interested to see what the cars computer would say about the ABS and I'd wonder if there is a intermittent short circuit or a sticky relay somewhere.

I doubt this is amenable to remote diagnosis unless someone on the forum has seen it before

[susan_t]

Hey tpl,

I know the abs light should always come on for a short time on startup, like the rest of the other lights.  But the other lights goes off and the ABS remains on for around 30 seconds or so, the same time the door decides to lock. 

The alarm system I have is an aftermarket alarm and the doors are suppose to lock on it's own after the car is started, say within 5 seconds or so.  But lately, it's doesn't lock until around 30 seconds or so and the ABS light goes off as soon as it does.  So, this is a total mystery to me.

So, you're thinking there's a short circuit somewhere?

It's my 1990 Integra.

[articsteve]

I think it's more than a short circut.  It's not out of the realm of possibilities that the car is trying to communicate with you.   Catch the 1983 Stephen King based flick "Christine".

[tpl]

Now you say it is an aftermarket alarm I ask; does it have its own fuse? Can you completely disconnect the alarm and if so do the symptoms go away? Or worse, you disconnect the alarm and something stops working altogether

Some alarms are spliced into the cars wiring to make use of signals that already exist...doors closed, engine on, moving, lights on etc.  If your alarm is wired like that and one of those connections has gone bad... it will be very difficult to diagnose although easy to fix I think once diagnosed.   

have you tested the ABS since?  a nice empty wet parking lot....

I think you need a real person on site  with a) the diagnostic tool for the car  b) knowledge of that car specifically  c) infinite patience d) a good test meter and e) a very low rate per hour!



Just in case someone else knows...what is the make of the alarm system ?

[susan_t]

Thanks articsteve and tpl for your help. 
I don't have a way of disconnecting the alarm system.  I don't think it has it's own battery backup either.  It's a cheap alarm system called Carpro.  It goes off all the time when my car is being serviced because the valet switch is not working properly.  So, could it be that the alarm system is malfunctioning and is messing up other stuff in my car?

I haven't tested the ABS yet.  But I will test it out when it rains again. 

[tpl]

And what happens when you use the valet switch? DO the symptoms disappear.

My bets are:

1)a wiring fault has appeared from age and corrosion I'd further bet that some alarm wire was pushed through a hole somewhere without a grommet and has finally worn through its insulation, to the body or to another wire

2) the alarm "computer" ( which might be just a relay) has failed in some way

I would worry about the ABS...if it is still working then I would tend to ignore the flashing lights and door locks opening and closing until they actually fail

[susan_t]

Well see that's the problem.  The valet used to work, but it doesn't anymore.  Which leads me to believe my alarm system is biting the dust.  I know the life expectancy of a good alarm system is 5 yrs. or so.  Since this is a no name brand and I've had it for 3 yrs., I'm thinking that might be the problem now.  I had to replace my battery because it drained the heck out of it.

Nevertheless, it looks like I have to get a new alarm system  and keep an eye on the ABS.  The ABS does concern me more though.  I rely on it.

Thanks tpl