Active and Passive Arming of the Saturn Security System

Active arming of the Saturn Security System requires you to press the LOCK button on your transmitter in order to arm the Saturn Security System. Passive arming of the Saturn Security System does not require you to press the LOCK button on your transmitter to arm the system. However, you may press the LOCK button on the transmitter to arm the system right away instead of waiting the one minute for the system to arm itself.

The Saturn Security System can be programmed to be in either the active arming mode or the passive arming mode. It is not possible to have both modes turned on at the same time. Your Saturn will be set to the active arming mode from the manufacturer.

Contact your Saturn retailer to program your Saturn to the passive arming mode or to turn these modes on or off. The following sections will explain how both arming modes work.

Active Arming of the Saturn Security System

[block ]LOCK (Saturn Security System Arms): You must press the LOCK button on your remote key chain transmitter in order to arm the Saturn Security System. When you press the LOCK button on your transmitter, all doors will lock, the Saturn Security System will arm automatically, the dome lamp will flash twice. If you press the LOCK button again within five seconds after the first press, the horn will chirp to let you know that the Saturn Security System has armed. Delayed Locking: If a door is open when you press the LOCK button, the door will lock, but the Saturn Security System will not arm until all the doors are coded. Once the doors are closed, the Saturn Security System will arm and the dome lamp will flash twice to let you know the system is armed. The horn will not chirp even after all the doors are closed. To get the horn to chirp if a door was open during the arming process, you must press the LOCK button on your transmitter twice after the doors are closed.

UNLOCK (Saturn Security System Disarms): When you press the UNLOCK button on your transmitter once, the driver side door will unlock, the Saturn Security System will disarm, the dome lamp will come on. If you press the UNLOCK button again within five seconds of the first press, the rest of the doors will unlock

Passive Arming of the Saturn Security System

[block ]LOCK (All Doors Lock; Saturn Security System Does Not Arm): When the Saturn Security System on your vehicle is set to the passive arming mode, it will arm one of two ways. They are as follows: 1. In the passive arming mode, the system will arm itself one minute after the ignition key is turned to the lock position, and you can open and shut the car door. For example, when you stop your car, turn the ignition key to the lock position, remove the key and exit the car. Immediately after the door is shut, the security system will begin to count down, and after one minute has passed, the Saturn Security System will arm itself. The doors will NOT lock automatically. 2. The Saturn Security System will delay automatic arming for ten minutes after the ignition key is returned to the lock position if you do not open and close the door. For example, if you stop your car, turn the ignition key to the lock position and remove the key, but decide to sit in your car instead of getting out and closing the door, the Saturn Security System will arm after ten minutes. This is meant to give you time to collect your belongings and exit the car without setting off the alarm. Note: When in the passive arming mode, the door locks will NOT lock automatically. You must press the interior door lock switch or use your key to lock the door.

UNLOCK (Saturn Security System Disarms): You must press the UNLOCK button on your transmitter to disarm the security system. If you unlock your door using the key without pressing the UNLOCK button on the transmitter, the alarm will be activated. If the alarm activates, you can press any button on the transmitter to stop the alarm. When you press the UNLOCK button on your transmitter, the doors will unlock. Note: If you hear three horn chirps when you press the UNLOCK or LOCK button on your transmitter, that means your Saturn's alarm was triggered while you were away.

Trunk (Liftgate) Release: The trunk (or liftgate) will unlock when the car symbol button is pressed on the transmitter with the ignition off or when your Saturn is not moving. The dome lamp will come on and remain on for 40 seconds, or until you put your key in the ignition, turn it to the "RUN" position. For safety reasons, you cannot open your trunk or liftgate using the car symbol button on you transmitter when your Saturn is moving.

Panic Alert: The horn will sound and the dome lamp will flash when you press the red horn symbol button on the transmitter. This panic alarm will continue for two minutes or until you press the red horn symbol button again, whichever comes first.

Illuminated Entry: The dome lamp must be in the "DOOR" position for the illuminated entry feature to work. When you press the UNLOCK button on your transmitter, the dome lamp will come on and stay on for 40 seconds, or until a door is opened. After the door is opened, the dome lamp will remain on as long as the door is open. Once you close the door, the dome lamp will stay on for 40 seconds, or until you put your key into the ignition, and turn the key to the "RUN" position. It will then dim gradually until it turns off. This feature will allow you to see inside your vehicle before you open the door, and will allow extra time with the dome lamp on once you get inside your car.

Battery Saver Feature: The Saturn Security System can keep your Saturn's battery from running down if a door is left open or ajar with the dome lamp switch in the DOOR position. If the ignition is turned to the lock position, the ignition key is removed, and a door is left open or ajar, the dome lamp will turn off in 30 minutes. The dome lamp switch must be in the DOOR position in order for the battery saver feature to function. The Saturn Security System cannot turn the dome lamp off if the dome lamp switch is in the ON position. If the dome lamp is left in the ON position for an extended period of time, the battery will run down.

Starter Disable Feature: Your car cannot be started when the Saturn Security System is armed. Your car can only be started when the Saturn Security System is disarmed.

Starting Your Saturn (If your transmitter is lost or damaged and the Saturn Security System is armed)

If you have not misplaced your transmitter, but it is not working properly, refer to Synchronization section that follows. If your transmitter is still not working properly after you have gone through the synchronization procedure, follow the steps above and see your Saturn retailer for service.

Synchronization

Synchronization may be required due to the security method used by this system. The transmitter does not send the same signal twice. The receiver will not accept a signal that has been sent to it more than once. This eliminates the possibility that the signal will be recorded and played back.

To synchronize your transmitter with the receiver, press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter at the same time for about 6 to 7 seconds, near your Saturn. The horn will chirp four times, and the dome locks will unlock or lock, depending on their starting position. If the horn does not chirp or the door locks do not unlock or lock, see you Saturn retailer for service.

Transmitter and Receiver Range

The range of the Saturn Security System should be about 26 feet (8 meters). You may notice a decrease in range at times, and this should be considered normal for any security system.

If your transmitter does not work, or you are having to stand closer than normal to your vehicle for the transmitter to work:

If none of the above apply, see your retailer or authorized service provider for service.

Battery Replacement

Under normal use, the battery in your key chain transmitter should last about two years. You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won't work at the normal range in any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works, it's probably time to change the battery.

For battery replacement, use a Panasonic® battery, 3 volt, type CR2032, or its equivalent. To replace the battery, follow these steps:

Notice: When replacing the battery, do not touch any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static from your body could damage the transmitter.

1. Use a small coin or a flathead screwdriver to separate the bottom of the transmitter from the top.



2. Remove the battery and replace with a Panasonic® CR2032, or its equivalent.
3. Make sure the positive (+) side of the battery faces down.
4. Snap the top and bottom sides of the transmitter together.
5. Test the transmitter with your Saturn to see if it is working correctly.

If the transmitter does not work, try synchronization your transmitter with your receiver. See "Synchronization" for more information.

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle

Each transmitter is coded to prevent another transmitter from activating the Saturn Security System in your Saturn. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through your Saturn retailer.

Remember to bring any remaining transmitter with you when you go to your retailer. When the retailer matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, an remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once your retailer has coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your vehicle. Each Saturn can have up to four transmitters matched to it.

Programming Features

Your Saturn Security System also enables you to turn any of the following features on or off, depending on your needs; the alarm system, the starter disable and the horn chirp. To program any or all of these features, contact your retailer for assistance.

You can program a transmitter to as many different Saturn (that you own) with the same model year, as long as they have the power door lock option. Each can use up to four transmitters.

Programming a Receiver with a New Transmitter

Because this operation can be difficult, we suggest you refer to the 1999 Saturn Electrical Service Manual or contact your retailer for assistance.