Looking for info on Gen 1 keyless entry and alarm

[VipeRiz]

Does anyone know if the keyless entry module will work separate from the alarm module?

The original owner of my car had a Clifford alarm and door poppers installed because he was using a hard top and Lexan windows. I was told a previous owner was left stranded on the road because of an issue with the alarm so he had it disconnected. When I got the car I did not receive any fobs, Clifford or factory. The Clifford alarm is still under the dash. The wire harness to the factory alarm is disconnected. The keyless entry module still has two wire harnesses plugged in. I was wanting to see if I could at least get the keyless entry to work without connecting the factory alarm.

Also, does the factory key fob unlock both doors or just the driver’s door?

 

[Steve-Indy]

The OEM alarm system does not unlock the doors on Gen I's as they are mechanical and are opened only from the inside handle. If functioning properly, the factory alarm on a Gen I will sound when armed if either door or the hood are opened. The trunk is not alarmed. It will also "immobilize" the car if sn attempt is made to start the Viper without disarming the alarm. Once activated, either a key fob or a manual process can be used to deactivate the theft mode.

In my opinion, both of the alarm systems you described will strand you someday if not properly disabled. I get at least a dozen "alarm calls" per month for that situation caused by one or the other alarm system as the modules and/or wiring "age". There is a factory described way to disconnect the OEM alarm (already done in your case per your ststement). I really know very little about the add-on systems...other than that they should have a valet switch somewhere.

Have you tried to contact the aftermarket alarm company (or an installer) for assistance if obtaining a proper fob?

Hopefully, someone with real hands oncexperience will chime in here to help with your Clifford situation.

 

[VipeRiz]

Thanks for the info Steve. I thought it was kind of strange that a bare-bones car would have power locks but I assumed it seeing the fobs for these cars have lock/unlock on them. So the fob is strictly to arm/disarm the alarm system.

I have not tried to contact Clifford or an alarm installer. I was going to contact an alarm installer to see if they would remove the Clifford alarm and put everything back to normal. But at this point I am thinking I should be grateful that I have a running/driving car and probably should not go down that rabbit hole.

I do have to wonder though, if the installer of the Clifford alarm disconnected the factory alarm or if that was done after the car was left stranded on the road. I believe the Clifford alarm install was part of the hard top/window package. I have a manual for the hard top and it says “The hard top consists of the hard top roof itself, two side windows, and the electrical systems for opening and locking doors”.

There is a keyhole in the front door jamb of my car. If there was battery failure, one would open the hood and insert a key and it unlocks a pull release to open the door. If the hood was tied into the factory alarm system, that would set off the factory alarm.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Interesting info...there seems to be a lot of variations based on extra features. I remember one Gen III owner who I helped reset the OEM alarm via the unknown-to-him hidden keyhole, but then the alarm started to go off with a different sound. He disconected the Viper's battery and the alarm kept sounding. Fortunately he is a good mechanic. After tracing the wiring he found 2 modules under the dash, two more under the hood, and an independent back up battery. What a pain in the Asp !!