An integral part of any alarm system is the service button (Valet). Its main purpose is to switch the alarm system to service mode. This will allow you to transfer the keys to the alarm, but not the key fob - for example, if you give the car for service. While the alarm is in service mode, people who have access to it will not be able to program additional key fobs into its memory or change settings. However, on long-discontinued StarLine Twage generation alarms, a more convenient mechanism for switching to service mode using a key fob was implemented, and therefore the Valet button is not used to switch to service mode, no matter how strange it may sound.
One of the places where a secret button may be located
The second, and for StarLine alarm systems, the main function of the Valet button is programming alarm functions. Until the release of modern models that allowed programming from a laptop via a standard USB connector, the service button was the only tool for setting up car alarms. In StarLine alarm systems it is still used for settings.
StarLine alarm systems also provide emergency disabling of security using the Valet button if the key fob is faulty. We have already written about ways to turn off emergency alarms using the Valet button.
And finally, the StarLine service button is used when activating the anti-robbery function - holding it for two seconds with the ignition on or the engine running will turn on the standby mode. As soon as any door opens, after 60 seconds the anti-burglary function will work until disabled using a personal unlock code.
Where is the service button for the Starline A93 alarm?
The Starline service button is located
inside the car, in a place that is easy to access for the driver, but invisible to outsiders.
... Where to find button
.
| Starline model | Valet Location |
| A92 | Side of the dashboard |
| A93 | On the floor of the front passenger seat |
| A94 | On the floor next to the pedals |
| A61 | Similar to A91 |
Valet button location
This is what the Valet car alarm service button looks like
There may be a Valet button in these places
The classic version of the service button is a separate unit. In this case, it is glued with tape and is hidden under the instrument panel, near the mounting block or in another place where it is not noticeable, but at the same time easily accessible if you know the location.
In most StarLine alarms, the service button has exactly this appearance - on old models A61 and A91, modern A93 and A94. However, this design also has a disadvantage: glued to plastic, it comes off over time, knocks on the panel while moving, or gets lost in the depths of the bundles.
Therefore, sometimes on Starline alarms the Valet button is structurally combined with another element, for example, located on the antenna module. Note that the call button, which is found on StarLine antenna modules, should not be confused with it.
However, in a number of Starline alarms, despite the presence of a separate service button in the installation kit, the call button on the antenna module can also be used as a service button. In this case, the installer may not install the StarLine service button at all. This function is implemented in alarms A63/93, A64, A94, B/D/64/94, E60/90 with firmware older than N2 (the firmware number is indicated on the body of the central unit). The Starline model can also be identified by its keychain.
For alarms where the antenna module button is used as Valet, be sure to set a personal emergency disarming code (see the corresponding article), since otherwise the degree of vehicle security is seriously reduced.
What is the StarLine service button?
StarLine service button
- a device for controlling security alarm functions, which is used in the following cases: Switching to Valet mode allows service employees to work with the car, but at the same time prevents their attempts to make changes to the car alarm settings.
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Possible faults
The StarLine service button is connected to the central unit with a thin two-core wire with a compact connector that is loosely fixed. Therefore, most often it falls out of the central block if there was tension when pulling the wires, or if the central block itself has shifted.
The wires themselves are also easily damaged if they are not bundled into standard wiring. Inspect the wire for kinks and breaks; if necessary, the damaged area can be easily repaired by stripping the ends and making twists under the heat-shrinkable tube.
The jack button rarely breaks - it is not used so often that it exhausts the resource of clicks. But, if it is secured in places where it can be accidentally touched, then an unsuccessful kick will break the plastic case, which is not very durable. If the car is constantly damp, then the button will be damaged by corrosion - either the soldering of the wires is destroyed, or it stops responding to pressing.
The faulty Valet button can be removed altogether if your alarm system uses a button on the antenna module as its function. Otherwise, buy a Valet button from any other alarm system (they have a standard two-pin connector), or solder a new button to the wires, the choice of which is wide in radio parts stores.
Entering and exiting the main menu
To enter the main menu, press the service button five times with the ignition off. Then turn on the ignition. You will be taken to the main menu.
Short press keys 2 and 3 on the key fob to select the programming item you need:
- AF – service and security functions SF – launch settings CH 01-CH 09 – setting additional channels (flexible) Starline A93 SOUN – setting the siren volume
To exit programming, turn off the ignition.
You can find out where the service button is located from your installer.
It can be located under the panel and tied to some standard harness. Often it is hidden in the space next to the fuse box or directly glued to it.
Service button
In the latest versions of Starline A39, the service button is built into the antenna module.
Service button on the antenna
Activating and deactivating Valet mode
The Valet mode of the car alarm is a service mode. When using Valet mode, all vehicle alarm options are disabled. Such properties are used during repair work at service stations and when setting up old-style security systems.
Ways to activate Valet modes
The choice of activation modes is small - using a push-button switch and a security system key fob, depending on the model of car alarm used. It is proposed to consider both options:
- When using the push-button option for activating the Valet mode, you need to get behind the wheel of the car and turn the ignition on and off. After waiting 10 seconds, switch the Valet button to “On” mode, press it and hold it for a couple of seconds. After these actions, the alarm beeps and the indicator light is activated. These alerts confirm that Valet mode is enabled;
- When activating the Valet mode from an external remote control, the car owner takes the seat behind the wheel and makes sure that the car alarm is disabled from the security, alarm, and anti-robbery options. The car's ignition turns on and off. After a ten-second wait, the speaker and open lock buttons on the alarm key fob are simultaneously held down. They are held in this position for 10 seconds;
- After releasing the buttons, the light and sound indication of the car alarm will work, notifying you that the Valet mode has been activated. When the car owner uses the ignition switch with the Valet mode turned on, a notification occurs that the alarm is turned off.
In different car alarm models, different symbols are used on the key fob screen to confirm the activation of the Valet mode.
Deactivating the mode
The procedure for exiting Valet modes for alarms from different manufacturers is almost the same. The process is as follows:
- Getting into the car;
- Starting and stopping the engine;
- After waiting a ten-second pause, hold the Valet button pressed for several seconds (the switch needs to be set to the “Off” position);
- When disconnecting from the key fob, the open lock and speaker buttons are simultaneously pressed for up to 4 seconds.
Upon completion of the actions, the car alarm will notify you that the Valet mode has been turned off. The signal is given by sound or graphic indication on the alarm key fob.
When Valet mode is installed, not all car alarm options are disabled. In a car alarm, the Valet mode does not disable emergency functions. This is especially true in panic mode, when situations arise that require immediate activation of the security system.
Physically disabling the alarm
Attention! Use the actions described below only as a last resort (for example, you have forgotten the factory PIN code on modern StarLine models). Since installers most often do not waste time on overly complicating access to the central alarm unit, the owner can physically disable the Starline alarm (alas, a thief can also do this)
The typical location for installing the central unit is behind the dashboard, perhaps behind the UCH/BCM (central cabin switching unit). In the second case, you should think about moving the block to another location - access to it is very easy. For example, on Renault Logan and other cars on the B0 platform, the alarm system installed in the car dealership is most likely “hidden” by the installers behind the switching unit in the area of the driver’s left foot. Thus, the installer can connect the central unit in literally 10 minutes
Since installers most often do not waste time on overly complicating access to the central alarm unit, the owner can physically disable the Starline alarm (alas, a thief can also do this). The typical location for installing the central unit is behind the dashboard, perhaps behind the UCH/BCM (central cabin switching unit). In the second case, you should think about moving the block to another location - access to it is very easy. For example, on Renault Logan and other cars on the B0 platform, the alarm system installed in the car dealership is most likely “hidden” by the installers behind the switching unit in the area of the driver’s left foot. Thus, the installer can connect the central unit in literally 10 minutes.
All fuse harnesses must be disconnected from the central unit; on modern alarm systems - the CAN bus harness (for example, on the StarLine A93 - a red four-pin connector). Next, the locks are deactivated.
Outdated analog alarms had a built-in blocking relay (three contacts of the largest cross-section on the side wall, onto which separate terminals are attached). These contacts are removed from the central block and connected to each other. The installer could also use an external lockout relay controlled by a low current output. For the A61 and its contemporaries, this is a thin black and red wire coming from the 16-pin connector of the central unit - if it is shorted to ground, starting the engine will be possible. It’s easier to do this with a paperclip inserted into the connector itself - the black wire in it is the “ground”.
In subsequent models, the built-in blocking relays disappeared; wired control of the external relay remained via low-current channels. So, on the StarLine A93 this is again a black-red wire of a ten-pin block: since the company traditionally codes the purpose of the wires in one circuit, it is not difficult to find a way out to external blocking. A template installation of an alarm system becomes one of the weakest points in security: if, according to the instructions described above, you manage to start the car without disarming it (and this will happen on 9 out of 10 cars), it’s worth thinking about.
Programming security and service functions
The first Starline a93 programming table is responsible for these functions. To get into it and select the necessary settings, follow these steps.
After entering the main menu, select AF and press long 3 until the key fob beeps and then short press 3.
Use buttons two and three to find the desired function.
Use key one to select the desired function value.
To return to the main screen, press 3 long and 3 short.
3.1. Table 1
Table 1 of programming service and security functions
Be especially careful when programming additional channels with flexible logic (if you need them).
Error codes on the alarm key fob
The main Starline alarm key fob may produce certain errors indicating a system malfunction. Some of them are directly connected to the service key. In particular:
If the first of them may indicate a general malfunction of the key, then the second indicates that the system is in Super Slave mode, which requires shutdown. To do this, you need:
- turn off the power;
- hold down Valet and apply power;
- after the siren ends, release the key;
- press it four times;
- after the beep, press again;
- press Jack again;
- turn on the ignition.
You can easily find out about other errors that may be associated with the device from the table in the manufacturer’s instructions.
How to activate and disable
Connecting the Valet mode using the corresponding button is as follows:
- Insert the key into the ignition and start the engine.
- Wait 10-15 seconds, then turn off the engine.
- After about 15 minutes, press the Valet key and hold for 2-3 seconds.
- Wait for notification of the activation of the service mode in the form of 1 short sound signal and the LED indicator turning on.
Turning off the mode is also simple:
- Insert the key into the ignition and start the engine.
- After 10-15 seconds the engine is turned off.
- After finishing work, wait about 15 minutes, then press the Valet key for a long time (about 2-3 seconds).
- Deactivation of the service mode is confirmed by 2 short beeps. The LED indicator goes out.
You can also activate and deactivate the function using the remote control key:
- Go to the main menu.
- By briefly pressing key 4, select the icon in the form of a wrench.
- By pressing button 3 the mode is activated. In this case, the LED indicator starts to light constantly. The wrench icon also remains on on the display.
To disable the mode, you must perform the same actions, except for confirming the operation: when selecting the icon with a wrench, press key 2; the icon and indicator stop lighting.
Programming security and service functions Starline
The Valet key, along with the key fob, is used to program the main functions of the anti-theft complex, both security and service. In some cases, the Starline Master program for computers is additionally used. In particular, with the help of Master, the firmware is updated.
Each option has its own code, which can be found in the user manual that comes with the system. To program a function, you must first enable the appropriate mode, Service Mode. To do this, use the control panel menu - selecting the wrench icon using the cursor and pressing it with the third key on the key fob.
2. Why is the service mode needed?
Valet is needed in situations where the car needs to be sent to a car service center for repairs or preventative maintenance.
When handing over the car for maintenance or washing, you must always turn on the Starline A93 service mode. The main thing is not to transfer key fobs to third parties in order to avoid unauthorized access to security functions.
By turning on Valet, you can protect yourself from a possible attempt to steal your car after visiting a car service center, whose employees could potentially interfere with the operation of the alarm.
Disabling valet mode
If the machine shows signs that the Valet mode is active, or the corresponding indicator is displayed on the control panel, it will need to be turned off.
In fact, in almost all cases, an identical method is used to deactivate the service mode. But it is still better to clarify this in the instructions.
