alpine 3 button security-what the F??!

[JonnyCasino]

I've had my dakar 95 M3 for about a week now, and oh my GOD do I love it. But plenty of time to discuss that later, for now I've come across my first little annoyance. It came equipped with the Alpine security system with the three-button keyless entry remote. Today I wanted to test out the panic feature, so I set it off by holding the panic button down. After that though, the whole thing has been screwey. When I go to lock it, it makes a chirp and locks, then three chirps and unlocks, then one chips and lock, then three and unlock...everytime. There's not a door open or anything like that. Also when I lock it with the key, I can't set the alarm. Is this standard? Does anyone know what to do about it?? It probably doesn't help that all the writing on the buttons is completely worm off, so I don't even really know what each one does! I did a search, but couldn't find anything of exactly this nature. Thanks.

-Jonny
by the way, thanks to those who gave me suggestions while I was looking for my car. you all helped me find one i adore.

[jwanson3]

Just to clarify, your car does this lock, unlock, lock unlock... thing after pressing the button once?
Not sure about your problem, but I can help with the functions of each button. From the top down:

Button #1 Lock, Unlock, and Disarm

Press once to lock, press again to unlock. Should chirp once on lock and three times on unlock. Also disarms alarm when alarm is set.

Button #2 Double Lock, Arm

Arms alarm, but only after button one has been pressed and doors are locked. Also double locks the car.

Button # 3 Panic

I think you have figured this one out. Press and hold to activate, press and hold again to deactivate.

If you have the owners manual, look for the booklet about the security system, it explains this in more detail. Also, the alarm brain is located behind the glovebox - the glovebox has to be removed to access.

[jwanson3]

Oh BTW the only way to set the alarm is with the remote. So yes it is standard to not be able to set it with the key.

[JonnyCasino]

thanks.
just to clarify, I meant that after I lock the car with the key, the remote then doesn't work to arm the alarm at all. When I press "arm" (button 2), the LED stays on for a long time though, but nothing happens. I'll probably just take it to the $tealer and see how much they'll charge me to press the buttons correctly!! :(

[jwanson3]

That is the way it is supposed to work as well. The alarm will arm only if you press the first then second button on the remote. Sorry my post wasn't more clear.