1998 Montero Sport

The alarm won't arm itself, as it usually does after shutting off the engine. The red light to the left of the steering wheel is blinking fast all the time. The remote will lock and unlock the vehicle, and remote start works too...it just won't arm the alarm.

Maybe a related problem...the right-turn signal, when engaged, blinks very fast compared to the left turn signal (which is normal). The right-turn signal light can be seen working/flashing from the rear of the vehicle (blinking very fast), but the signal won't display looking from the front of the vehicle.

any suggestions?

 

First and foremost, the indicator light is completely unrelated to the keyless entry system. This issue is a burnt out bulb. Replace it, and problem solved.

Now to the alarm. Since it's a 1998, and to the best of my knowledge the 98 Sport models didn't come with a factory remote start feature, I'm assuming that it's an aftermarket unit. Since you're apparently new to the automotive world (reference indicator light situation), I would suggest taking the unit to whoever did the initial installation (if you can find receipts or an installation invoice), and they may be able to get you straightened out. My guess is that if the alarm will not arm, then there is a trigger that is sending a signal to the control module that there is a door, hood, trunk, etc open and for the system not to arm the security part of the system. It may simply need reset, in which case it's a no cost fix. You may need to clean the contacts on the door triggers, or replace them entirley. The brain could also simply be failing, in which case the whole system may need to be swapped out.

A few questions I would ask if you were brining it into my shop.
1.) Obviously, is it factory or aftermarket.
2.) If aftermarket, where and when was it installed, what components were used, and has any aftermarket equipment been installed since?
3.) Does the problem only occur under certain circumstances? For example, does it happen at a certain temperature, after the vehicle has been operating for a certain amount of time, only when the headlights are on, etc?
4.) If not installed at my location and not covered under my warranty, show you what i have that is comparable, and what it will cost to remedy said problems vs. buying a new unit all together.

If you can't find the original invoices, expect to spend big bucks to get it fixed. I charge $80/hr for non-warranty trouble shoot labor, not including the cost of parts to repair any damages.

 

Thank you for your courteous reply.

The reason I referenced the signal indicator is that some times (rare) everything will work fine. When things are working fine, the alarm, and all turn signal indicators and bulbs are working normally. Then out of the blue, the alarm won't arm, AND the turn indicator will behave as I stated earlier. Having both these symptoms occur simultaneously was what lead me to believe they were related. This will happen every 6 months or so, then revert back to normal, then repeat. Unless they make new kinds of bulbs that heal and repair themselves (I might not know being so new to automotive things and such) then a burned out indicator bulb is not the cause for this issue.

I had purchased this vehicle used, so I do not know if it came with a factory or aftermarket alarm. I also would not know which company would have installed the alarm. The only identifiable text on the alarm itself is "Code Alert". I apologize for not researching this further before posting.

 

if you post a pic of the key fob maybe the alarm can be identified. also the tailamps in the sports tend to burn out sockets which
may cause an intermittant bulb failure.

 

Gottcha.....and if they're happening at the same time, then there is a possibility that they're linked. How they are linked is something that's got me a little confused though, since the majority of remote start/security/keyless systems use the running lights and don't tie into the blinker circuit. My recomendation would be to pull apart the drivers lower dash, take a pic and post it up. If it looks like a rats nest, rip it out and start from scratch. From what I've experineced with mobile electronics, if there's a problem and the install looks iffy, pull the whole thing out, cuz whoever did the install probably took other short cuts that may show up later down the road and cause you even more headaches.

So, try to get usa pic and we'll go from there.