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How do I know if I have a valet switch ?

14K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  dirtsferacin  
#1 ·
My '05 TB had an Autostart car starter installed prior to me buying it 5 years ago and had worked flawlessly until recently. I had the battery disconnected to do some work under the hood and after reconnecting it the Autostart would no longer work, (lights would flash as if it was working, but the doors would not lock or unlock, nor would the start function work) I was able to solve this by disconnecting the negative terminal at the battery for about 30 sec. After which everything returned to normal. I guess this could be useful info for someone else.... (the valet trick of turning the ignition on-off 5 times did not work)

Problem now is that my remote transmitter seems to be giving up the ghost, it works intermittently and even battery replacement hasn't seemed to make a difference. I have two other remotes from other manufacturers (ProStart and Polar) But I have no idea how to program these for use with my existing Autostart system. I have read many posts both here and other sites and all refer to real simple instructions with the use of a "valet switch".....but I cannot find anything explaining where your valet switch may be or how to know if you have one..
So...I have been banging my head off the wall trying to figure out where my "valet switch" may be located...IF...I even have one !
Is it possible to do without a valet switch, or am I destined to get it up the hoop from a dealer to have this done for me ?
 
#2 ·
I had an aftermarket remote start installed on my old Tahoe. The valet button was just zip tied under the dash. Find the starter box and check to see if one is zipped up somewhere. It was only a momentary button with two wires. If you can't find one look to see where it would connect and make one.
 
#4 · (Edited)
So...I have been banging my head off the wall trying to figure out where my "valet switch" may be located...IF...I even have one !
Most systems the valet switch is located in the driver underdash or kick panel. On newer systems most of the manufacturers are incorporating the switch into the antenna which is normally mounted on the windshield. Depending on who installed your system you may or may not have the switch at all. It isn't uncommon for them to not be installed as many systems we program using a programmer versus the switch and also we generally don't want the end user to be messing with the switch. Most systems once you enter programming mode hitting the wrong button can set all options back to default.

Also are you saying your trying to program a remote from a different system/manufacturer? Remotes are very specific to what they will work on and unless the FCC id on the remotes you have now matches the ones your trying to program the chances of it working are slim to none. Anytime you go for a new remote you want to make sure you get one that looks the same and has the same FCC id / part number. Hope it helps,
 
#5 ·
Also are you saying your trying to program a remote from a different system/manufacturer? Remotes are very specific to what they will work on and unless the FCC id on the remotes you have now matches the ones your trying to program the chances of it working are slim to none. Anytime you go for a new remote you want to make sure you get one that looks the same and has the same FCC id / part number. Hope it helps
The remote I am trying to program is not identical but does look very similar to the one from the original manufacturer. The FCC/Part numbers match exactly. I managed to find the instructions on how to program a remote for an AUTOSTART brand remote starter and it turns out it does not require the valet switch. You simply flash the hood pin and within 20 seconds turn the ignition on and off once then hold the lock button on the new remote until your parking lights flash five times and it is programmed, I know this works for my system because I tested it with the original remote and it works exactly how it is supposed to. However I cannot get it to work with the other remote with identical numbers..... I'm baffled ...