Four ways to find out which alarm is on your car

How to find out the alarm model by key fob

The simplest method is to determine the alarm model using the key fob. To do this, you don't need to disassemble anything or get under the hood.

1. The manufacturer's brand may simply be written on the keychain or its logo may be applied.
2. If there is no logo and name, or they have been erased, then you can try to determine which alarm is on the car using the barcode on the sticker placed on the back of the key fob. Enter this number into the search bar of any search engine, and you will quickly find the information you need.
3. You can also try to determine the type of system even by the appearance of the key fob. There are several resources on the Internet that provide databases of photographs of alarm key fobs. Or just take a photo of your keychain and search the photo in Yandex - it will find similar ones, in the descriptions of which you will find the alarm brand.
4. Some key fobs have a sticker on the back with a technical support phone number, by calling which you will immediately receive all the necessary information.

Characteristic

A detailed overview of the technical parameters of the budget model of “alarm” for the Fighter car:

1. The anti-theft system is powered from a 12-volt source, so the use of this model on motorcycles and heavy-duty vehicles is not allowed. It is possible to increase the voltage in the electrical network to 24 V, but under such conditions the system should operate for no more than one minute.
2. When the security mode is turned on, the current consumption of the alarm system will be no more than 15 mA.
3. The duration of the alarms is 30 seconds, but in the case of a permanently open zone the time increases to two minutes.
4. Information about no more than three communicators can be entered into the memory of the system control unit.
5. The temperature range for operation of the microprocessor module is from -40 to +85 degrees. It is possible to increase this parameter to +125°C, but under such conditions the device should operate for no more than one minute. For the communicator, the operating temperature range is from -10 to +55 degrees.

Determining the alarm system in the car interior

If you were unable to determine which alarm system is installed on your car using the remote control, you can try to do this using the central unit.

Often it is installed in the cabin, but, as a rule, it is hidden from car thieves under the dashboard (dashboard) or even behind the steering wheel.

The central alarm unit is usually a rectangular plastic device with many wires going to it.

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Shumyakin Denis Mikhailovich

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It is recommended to start with the LED, following the wires from it, and along the way disassembling everything in your path, you will get to the central unit. It is usually wrapped in foam or other shock-absorbing material.

The central alarm unit always has the security system manufacturer’s brand logo, and the sticker contains the model name and other additional information.

User manual

The operating instructions indicate that the system is controlled using the following buttons:

1. K1. Using this element, the protective mode is activated, an alarm is turned on (with a long press), and the siren is turned off (with a short press). When the power unit is running, pressing the key causes the door locks to lock.
2. K1+K2. The key combination allows you to disable the sensitivity sensor. The buttons must be held for 6 seconds.
3. K2. A short press deactivates the security functions, opens the trunk and door locks while the engine is running.
4. K3. A short press of the key turns on the silent security mode. Holding the button helps activate the auto search mode.
5. K4. Used to control the display backlight. A long press activates automatic engine start. Holding the key while the ignition is active starts the Anti-Theft function.
6. K4+K1. By pressing a combination of buttons, the user requests information about the alarm status.
7. K4+K2. Used to control the user call function.
8. K4+K3. By briefly pressing the keys, the key fob is switched to vibration mode.

Some functions can only be activated when the doors and trunk are closed.

Determining the alarm manufacturer by LED

In very rare cases, it is possible to find out the type of alarm without opening the entire interior and without wasting time searching on the Internet. This can be done using an LED.

The “Black Bug” alarm LED is rectangular in shape and it doesn’t just blink, but glows in different colors inside.

However, such identification is very rare; often it is necessary to use other methods.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of Fighter car alarms:

1. System versatility. Installation of the alarm is possible on vehicles with a gasoline or diesel engine, regardless of the type of gearbox (automatic or manual).
2. Affordable price for many consumers.
3. Application of proprietary encryption technology to protect signals.
4. Availability of a detailed service manual in Russian included.
5. Great functionality, typical for full-fledged anti-theft systems.

Disadvantages characteristic of these alarms:

1. Some system models are not equipped with key fobs with screens; accordingly, these versions do not have the possibility of feedback.
2. Weak body of pagers. After several falls, the device may become damaged.

Contact the car service

If you are not confident in your abilities and do not want to disassemble the dashboard yourself, you can always use the help of professionals - contact a car service center or a company specializing in installing alarms, for example, if you are in Moscow, then on Korolev.

For a small fee, specialists will sort everything out themselves and find out what kind of alarm system you have installed. Moreover, they are guaranteed to put everything back together so that it works correctly again.

To determine the type of security system, you can, in principle, use any service, but it is recommended to use the services of official companies.

So, to summarize what was written above, it can be noted that you can determine the type of alarm by the logo or information on the key fob, by the markings on the central unit, or, if you’re lucky, by the appearance of the LED.

Key Features

Description of the capabilities that Fighter anti-theft systems have:

1. Engine blocking when trying to start illegally. For this purpose, special contacts are used on the additional relay, which open the electrical circuit of the ignition system.
2. Protection of the entire vehicle body along the perimeter. The alarm system provides protection for door locks, trunk, hood and car body.
3. Availability of non-volatile memory of the system state. In the event of a power failure and its further activation, the alarm will return to its original state. If the anti-theft complex is dismantled, the system will retain the locking of the power unit.
4. The presence of two sensitivity zones of the main controller - warning and alarm.
5. Availability of the “Anti-robbery” option. Using this function, the user can block the power unit in the event of a robbery attack on the car. If the car is stolen, the engine will lock itself after a certain time (usually 30 seconds, user-configurable). The delay is provided by the developer so that the attacker leaves the crime scene at a distance that is safe for the car owner, but is not able to hide far.
6. Panic function. Its purpose is to forcefully activate external lighting devices and sirens upon command given by the key fob. This is required in order to designate the car as protected and scare potential criminals away from it.
7. Control of door locks from the ignition system. When the key in the lock is turned to the “ACC” position, the locks are locked; when turned to the “Off” mode, they are opened.
8. Automatic arming in case of accidental shutdown. If the protection mode was not deactivated on purpose, and not a single door in the car was opened, the system will be able to detect this. As a result, the security will be automatically turned on.
9. Availability of automatic engine start. The structure of the control unit allows you to configure this function by command from the communicator. Thanks to this, in order to start the engine, the user does not even need to approach the vehicle. It is enough for him to be within the range of the alarm antenna.
10. Possibility of using a standard steering horn to play alarm signals. Since a siren is not included in the package, you can use a horn.
11. The presence of additional channels with which the user can control auxiliary equipment. This refers to a luggage compartment lock, electric windows, a system for folding side mirrors and seat adjustments.
12. Self-diagnosis and determination of the state of alarm structural elements. When arming and disarming the system, the system checks all connected devices. Information about defective areas is provided to the user in the form of messages and displayed on the communicator screen.
13. Possibility of remotely changing sensitivity and disabling the shock sensor. A keychain is used for this.
14. Disarming the system in two stages. The alarm can be configured to open the door locks first, and then the user enters a special password to unlock it. The personal code can be used to emergency disable the security if the key fob is lost or broken.
15. Warns the user about unlocked vehicle doors, trunk or hood.

Varieties and model range

To choose the best security system, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the list of popular Fighter models:

1. F-14. The model implements a silent security and security mode (panic, anti-robbery), automatic unlocking/locking of doors, etc. However, this version does not have a feedback function, and there is no possibility of working with a GSM and/or GPS module.
2. F-15. F-16, F-16B. The devices belong to high-reliability systems, are made on modern components and are designed for operation in a wide temperature range. Reliability is confirmed by tests, as evidenced by the ISO9002 quality certificate. These Fiqhter models perform all the functions inherent in “Standard” class alarms. Most service functions are programmed upon purchase of the system at the user's request.
3. F-17. The model has a two-circuit engine blocking system using external and electronic relays built into the central control unit. The F-17 system includes two convenient miniature radio key fobs with soft rubber buttons.
4. F-15 Stealth. The model has a minimum set of necessary functions in its arsenal and requires the installation of additional elements. These include: pager, engine start remote control module, position and volume sensors.
5. Jet. In security mode, the system provides engine blocking in case of unauthorized start, activation of an alarm when doors are opened, the ignition is activated and impacts on the body.
6. Revolution. The model has the ability to protect the car when the engine is running without a key in the ignition, connected to the handbrake and brake pedal. The possibility of remote autostart is also implemented.
7. Excellent Plus. The model has more extensive functionality compared to previous versions. Options include: auto engine start, “turbo timer”, “safe driving”, “anti-robbery” modes and others.
8. Jerry. The car alarm has many useful functions - Turbo timer, AV trigger (two-stage protection mode shutdown), security with the engine running without a key in the ignition, etc. The car alarm package also includes a small-sized siren.
9. F-29. The model prevents unauthorized starting of the engine, opening of doors, hood and trunk, as well as two-level protection against impacts on the body and against power failure.
10. F-31. The alarm system provides two types of protection against robbery “Anti-hi-jack”. This version also allows automatic control of door locks while driving.

Modern models

The cheapest A-series uses different key fobs depending on the generation. StarLine A93/A63 initially used a key fob in the shape of a beveled parallelepiped; the protrusion of the first button was retained.

However, this car alarm has become an enviable long-liver, and to “refresh” the appearance, the key fob on the latest series was modified, receiving a display in the style of modern fifth-generation alarms (alarms with auto start), but unlike them - in traditional, and not inverse, colors.

On the Starline A39 and A36 alarm systems (these are the same A93 and A63, but supplied exclusively to car dealerships), the key fob was used unchanged from the base model. The key fob did not change in the “economical” configuration of the A93 ECO, but in the A63 ECO it was updated.

Subsequently, a “full-fledged” fourth-generation A-series entered the market. These alarms were distinguished by the original integration of the CAN module in all trim levels and the shape of the key fob - the designers returned to the days of Dialog Flex alarms.

Simultaneously with the release of the fourth generation of StarLine alarms, the company’s marketers identified a separate line of alarms for SUVs, calling it the D-series. The “off-road” series alarms did not have any real differences in design, except for the new rectangular key fob. The Starline D64 and D94 alarm key fobs were sold in two colors: blue and red. At the same time, unlike the A61 4x4 and A91 4x4, the fourth button of the key fob is functional, and the key fobs themselves are absolutely identical in appearance.

In the B series, the “soap” keychains were preserved; the display in them also did not change.

The E series after the update (models E60.1, E90.1, E61.1, E91.1, E63, E93) did not change the design of the key fob. The key fob was updated only in the fifth generation (Starline E95, E65). The screen changed its orientation to vertical, the graphics on it were unified with the interface of the StarLine mobile application:

The fifth generation Series A received the same screen.

StarLine series D is easily recognizable by its rectangular red body. The updated inverse display has moved here too.

And finally, sixth generation alarm systems have entered the market. The B series and the new X series added to it are recognizable by the previously familiar “remnant” of the B-series, and the display orientation has again become horizontal, but the inverse coloring has been preserved from the fifth generation alarms. Instead of an LCD screen, OLED is now used.

Starline A66 and A96 again received a beveled key fob body, but now they have a new screen, and a color one at that.

The E-series abandoned the vertical screen orientation, and the screen itself now looks much simpler and cheaper than in the fifth generation. This is not surprising - now the E-series itself is positioned as cheaper, while in the fifth generation it was one of the most sophisticated.

Characteristic features of starline lines

Today, the anti-theft device market offers a huge variety of car alarms. Starline is no exception to the rule. Therefore, in order to accurately establish your key fob model, first of all, you need to identify the starline model range. The manufacturer of this brand offers its consumers 4 lines of key fobs: “A”, “B”, “D” and “E”. By each of the letters you can judge the class of the car alarm. In the case of starline, these are entry-level car alarms, premium-class, complete and expensive lines with built-in modules and locking mechanisms.

Let's sum it up

High-quality modern security systems for cars may not be the best option if you use the key fob carelessly. As soon as the alarm key fob fails, you will have to take action to solve the problem. And often in such a situation it is not possible to change the key fob or other alarm elements. Performing these tasks will require too many settings and complex actions to actually hack the security system. Therefore, it will be easier and better to install a new alarm system and not have to figure out what security system is currently installed in your car.

If you buy a car second-hand with an alarm already installed, ask the owner what model of security system was installed. If the alarm comes from the factory, you can search for information from an authorized dealer or on the Internet. Cars of a certain year of manufacture are equipped with one type of alarm system, so you can easily find such information. Have you had any troubles with the alarm remote control in your driving experience?