'99 SL2 security system problems

[ghorg]

I own a used (no owner's manual) '99 SL2 that has an odd, intermittent problem. I'll lock my car with the remote and most of the time I'll be able to unlock the car again with the remote. However, sometimes the remote will not work. None of the buttons will work when this happens, neither will replacing the battery or resetting the remote. If I unlock the car with the key, the alarm goes off (very annoying at 4:30 am) and I either have to wait 5 min or pull and replace the chime fuse from the passenger fuse box. Is there a way I can disable/fix/reprogram this POS
or do I have to take it to a dealer?

[sierrap615]

the alarm should shut off when the key is turned on. how long is the car sitting when this happens? factory or aftermarket alarm?

[ghorg]

Originally Posted by sierrap615

the alarm should shut off when the key is turned on. how long is the car sitting when this happens? factory or aftermarket alarm?

- the car has a factory alarm and a factory key fob
- cleaning the contact buttons and circut board with rubbing alcohol
doesn't work
- the problem is intermittent. This has happened after the car sat for a
week while I was on vacation and it has happened after the car sat for
15 min. while I went to a store
- putting the factory ignition key in the ignition and turning the key
doesn't stop the alarm. (is this a feature of the security system or a
flaw with my car?)
- just in case weather might be a problem, I currently live in middle TN

I hope this helps some. Thank you for your time.

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by ghorg

- the problem is intermittent. This has happened after the car sat for a
week while I was on vacation and it has happened after the car sat for
15 min. while I went to a store
- putting the factory ignition key in the ignition and turning the key
doesn't stop the alarm. (is this a feature of the security system or a
flaw with my car?)

every system i can think of will turn off the alarm with the key(they don't want people pulling fuses to turn it off) honistly i know zip of the stock saturn alarm. in general it sounds like a loose connection somewhere. i think its best to take it to the saturn dealership that works with this system all the time.

[ghorg]

Originally Posted by sierrap615

in general it sounds like a loose connection somewhere.

You were right sierra. I took the car to a Saturn dealer and they told me that the fuseboxes were worn and shorting out and needed to be replaced (I guess after 200K + miles that isn't too suprising...). It cost somewhere between "arm and leg" and "pants down, bend over, here comes the red-hot spike!", but everything works fine and I should be able to get a couple hundred K miles out of it. Thanks for all the help!