Gremlins in my '96 RS?? Help Please!!

[sneed21]

Hello. I am the new owner of a '96 RS and I love the car. I've only had if for about 2 weeks, and last night, after work, it started acting strange. I locked the doors and the alarm light was flashing....went inside, and about 10 minutes later my alarm was was waking the neighbors. Went outside, turned it off, went back inside, and about 3 minutes later, the alarm went off again. I also noticed that the interior dome lights wouldn't shut off. The car starts fine, but again, the lights won't turn off.....and if I try to lock the doors while I'm driving, all I hear is a "ding, ding, ding", and the doors won't lock. Well, by this point I'm ticked, it's pouring down rain, and my car's interior lights are on and it's dinging at me so I decide to pull the Neg lead on the battery to reset the system. Of course now the Bose Radio is Locked, and me being the Second owner of the car, have no idea where the code is hidden to unlock the Stereo.......and pulling the cable didn't help my alarm/light situation either........
Can anyone help this F-Body Newbie out? It acts like one of the doors or rear hatch isn't shut...ie, the lights won't turn off, and the alarm sounds for no reason....but I've checked all the entry points and they are secure. Also, if anyone knows where I can find the code to restart my stereo I'd appreciate it.

Other than these two issues, the car runs great! Oh, I'll be changing out the pass-side window motor this weekend as well. Great Site, and Glad to be here!

sneed21
'96 Camaro RS

[Christopherrr]

wowsers sneed you got quite a problem on your hands. Had a similar problem with my TA, had to take it to the dealer to get that one fixed...except headlights kept closing and opening like crazy...about the codes...can't help you there bro, all I can tell you is try"0000" that might be an easy one. Then again, if you activate the antithieft...it won't be "0000".

[sneed21]

Thanks, I'm willing to try anything before I call up the dealer$$$$. Why do I have a feeling that this is some stupid small part thats going to cost me a mint to fix.....

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

That stereo code is trouble.

I remember when I was going to store my car for the winter, a friend had suggested I disconnect the battery. I called my dealer for the code to the stereo, and they said that they can't give that out and I would have to bring the car in. I think you are going to have to go to a dealer and show them the title in your name before they will give out that code. Whatever you do, don't enter the wrong code. I remember I was told that was another can of worms all its own. Sorry, but I have no idea what to tell you about the alarm.

[sneed21]

I found a couple of places on the web that will email you the code (All you have to supply is the VIN and Serial # off the back of the radio) for around $25. They said that if you enter the wrong code 3 times, you have to wait for an hour w/ the switch on before you can try again. The alarm/light thing is still driving me nuts. I would disconnect it if I knew how, but I've also read that if you disable it, the car won't start. I'm going to try and get the car into the dealer tonight.

[davis80]

Theftloc Bypass

1. Press and hold presets 2 & 3 for about 10 seconds until the first 3 digits of the display code are displayed
2. Write the numbers down.
3. Press the AM FM button, write down the next 3 numbers
4. Call 1-800-537-5140, when asked, enter 202107, press the “button” and enter the 6 digit code from the radio, you will get an unlock code, write it down.
5. Go back to the car, press the HR button and set the first 2 numbers, then press minute button and set the next two last numbers, press AM FM button, SEC should be displayed, turn on radio
To remove customers code, repeat step 5. you should see --- on radio face, thdio face, the code is now out of the radio.

[sneed21]

Thank You davis80!!! The BOSE radio is back! I also think I have a lead on the interior lights/alarm. I think one of the "door ajar" pins isn't making good contact when the doors are closed. I'm going to take them out this evening and clean the contacts. I may be safe from the dealer after all!

Thanks for the help!

[davis80]

Not a problem bud. If the mods see this, they may want to add that post I had to like the FAQ or something I dunno. I'm sure it will help out a lot of guys.

[sneed21]

Thanks again. I can't be the only one that doesn't want to pay the dealer $47 to reset the radio. Also, I'm about to run out and pick up a Haynes or Chilton's manual. I'd really rather have the factory manuals. Does anybody have a lead on where I could buy a set? Even better, does anybody know where theres a copy in PDF format online??

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

After reading your post, my first thought was to tell you to check your rear hatch and make sure it is closed. If that's not the problem then you'll have to have your "door switches" checked. Don't know the technical term, but the switches that tell the car the door is closed....make sense? for the driver and passenger side door they are supposed to have rubber seals around them.

[sneed21]

Exactely, I was thinking the same thing. The rubber seals are gone, but I haven't been able to recreate the problem....it's like it decided to disappear yesterday afternoon. Either way, if this rain would ever stop (2 weeks straight now!) I'm going to check those door connections.

Go figure, while I'm at work, it's nice and sunny outside, but come 4:00-5:00 it starts pouring all through till morning! I'd pull it in the garage if I had enough room to open the doors and work on it, but cleaning out the garage is another issue.....