Basic Instructions for Operating the Viper Alarm System

The van has a Viper alarm system, but I don't have the manual. So I'm writing down here the most basic instructions to operate the alarm. You can print this out, if you like. It may take some time to get used to the system if you never had one like it before.

1. Normal Operation

The remote control (key fob) has two buttons, labeled I and II. Ignore Button II. Button I will operate the alarm system.

During normal operation, the alarm system can be "armed" or "disarmed." Armed means that the alarm is in use and ready to trigger. Disarmed means that you can get in and out of the car and start the engine with no problems. Push Button I and you will go back and forth from armed to disarmed. The car will also make one or more beeps. This is what they mean:

1 Beep - Armed
2 Beeps - Disarmed
3 Beeps - Armed, and the alarm was recently triggered.
4 Beeps - Disarmed, and the alarm was recently triggered.

A red light on the dashboard will flash more quickly when the system is disarmed and more slowly when it is armed.

Arming the alarm with the remote will also lock the doors. Disarming will unlock. At least that's how its supposed to work. Right now the power locks tend to stick a little bit. You may need to press the button a couple times to get them unstuck. The actuators should probably be lubricated.

If you leave the car disarmed for more than 30 seconds then the alarm system will arm itself automatically. This is probably the single hardest thing to get used to about the alarm system. I have read that there may be a way to reprogram this but I'm not familiar with it.

When the system is armed, then several things will trigger the alarm. If you open any of the doors, the alarm will sound. If you make any sudden vibrations (like smashing a window) the alarm will sound. If you try to start the car, the alarm will sound and the engine will not start.

Once the alarm is triggered, you can press Button I to disarm and shut off the alarm. If you do nothing, the alarm will eventually stop, until it gets triggered again.

2. Valet Mode

The alarm system is always "ON." It has two modes. A normal mode and a "valet" mode. Use the valet mode when you don't want to use the alarm. With valet mode, all alarm features are disabled (except panic button operation, see below). So "valet" mode is ALMOST like turning the whole system off. So why don't I just call it "alarm system on" and "alarm system off"?

The reason I'm explaining all this is because there is a switch on the underside of the dashboard to change between normal and "valet" mode. It's the valet mode switch. Turn the switch to "ON" to turn on valet mode. Turn the switch "OFF" to go to normal mode. So if you want the alarm system off, the switch should be ON. Confused yet?

When the system is in valet mode, the red light will stay on continuously without blinking.

3. Switching Between Normal and Valet Mode

If the alarm is armed, press Button I to disarm it. Then start the car. When the car is running, you can change the switch from OFF to ON. You have to start the car before you flip the switch, otherwise it does nothing (the alarm would be pretty useless if anyone can turn it off at any time).

4. Panic Button

Hold down Button I for a few seconds and the alarm will sound. Press Button I again to stop the alarm. This will work in all modes.