[Black Widow]

Hey guys,

As this is the scoobie section and i'm gonna assume alot of people on here will own WRX's (this also applies to B4 liberty's). I thought i would help (for those that don't know) in regards to the keypad security system.

Basically all models from 99 onwards are fitted with the keypad alarm system to help reduce theft (99-01 were retro fitted with these after they were released). Upon starting the vehicle as you will all know you enter your 4 digit user code.


However how many of you have disconnected the battery? Or had a flat battery? How many of you know what has to happen next? This is where i'm gonna try and help.

If your battery goes flat (below 10 volts), or you disconnect the battery, the security system automatically shuts down and now requires a different 4 digit code. Which is the Master Code.

However to obtain this code, you need to carry out the following steps:

- Vehicle needs to be towed to your closest subaru service department.

- The dealer will then contact the subaru head office and obtain this code.

- The code will then be put in to the keypad and all is well.

I know that doesn't seem like the ideal solution to the problem but it is a security measure and if subaru starts giving out master codes left, right and centre everyone will lose they're scoobies.

Thankyou for your time


Nick

[stan_]

thanks for the heads up.

[Jarrad_180]

hey, i own a my99 and mine did not come with one installed was it the later my99? or just some cos i know a few ppl that have them in teh same model.....

[mr_sikma]

so glad mine didnt come with the brant!

read so many stories about them stuffing up!

[618 Motorsport]

mr_sikma, on Apr 23 2008, 11:25 AM, said:

so glad mine didnt come with the brant!

read so many stories about them stuffing up!

Mine has stuffed up twice, once it was the module and the other time, it needed the master code reentered. DOnt know why it lost this in the 1st place.

However, I disagree. The owner of the car should be allowed to have this information. Why should a 17year mechanic apprentice at subaru be able to get this information, but me the person who spent of 30k on a car, not be able to!

[SR_Onevia]

havent heard much of malfunctioning experiences, or had any myself for that matter, but the manual that comes with the security system says that its only if the battery is disconnected for an extended period of time that it will reset. If it is just for a short time there shouldnt be any hassles

[Force Fed]

brant alarm installation was great for security.......... but as people have said, they have issues....... last year there was a mass recall on wrx's made within a specific period as the alarm was faulty or something.

good heads up, and i agree - the owner of a car has the right to be informed what the code to his car is..

imagine what happened if a apprentice or so finished up there and decided he wanted to go for a run in a wrx......... master code input done and away you go (if you can start teh car aswell)

[willski]

SR_Onevia, on Jun 23 2008, 06:28 PM, said:

havent heard much of malfunctioning experiences,

there was a massive recall on the shitty brandt system due to it cutting out randomly... search some wrx forums to find some stories

and the keypad alarm was only standard in teh bugyes and onwards from what i know. you could get it fitted for free into your my99 or my00 if you want to at subaru, but i never did

[SR_Onevia]

I've got it in the B4, i think it was factory. Its going ok, although I have noticed it has a mind of its own switching between automatic arming and manual arming.

[Black Widow]

They're retro fitted to WRX models between 99-01. Everything onwards they were standard.


The reason they don't allow customers to have access to the code is because if someone calls us up, and happens to have your vin number. And we were able to give them your master code. They can steal your car. No questions asked. I agree it is a pain not being able to get access to the code, and alot of the time, when they sold the WRX (all models prior to the new one) the sales consultants didn't advise customers that if the battery went flat, or it was disconnected that they would require the master code...so needless to say we get ALOT of irate customers call up unhappy about it. Which in all fairness is fair enough

[DRF78E]

Black Widow, on Feb 19 2008, 11:53 AM, said:

Hey guys,

As this is the scoobie section and i'm gonna assume alot of people on here will own WRX's (this also applies to B4 liberty's). I thought i would help (for those that don't know) in regards to the keypad security system.

Basically all models from 99 onwards are fitted with the keypad alarm system to help reduce theft (99-01 were retro fitted with these after they were released). Upon starting the vehicle as you will all know you enter your 4 digit user code.


However how many of you have disconnected the battery? Or had a flat battery? How many of you know what has to happen next? This is where i'm gonna try and help.

If your battery goes flat (below 10 volts), or you disconnect the battery, the security system automatically shuts down and now requires a different 4 digit code. Which is the Master Code.

However to obtain this code, you need to carry out the following steps:

- Vehicle needs to be towed to your closest subaru service department.

- The dealer will then contact the subaru head office and obtain this code.

- The code will then be put in to the keypad and all is well.

I know that doesn't seem like the ideal solution to the problem but it is a security measure and if subaru starts giving out master codes left, right and centre everyone will lose they're scoobies.

Thankyou for your time


Nick

thats not true nick , this problem does not apply to all wrx's with keypads
If the the vehicle has a sleep mode keypad module fitted it will not require a master code reset
if the vehicle does not have a sleep mode keypad module then one can be purchased and programmed to the car

Sleep mode module works , in the way that if the battery dies/is disconnected , the module will go into hibernation which has a backup battery to keep its memory
which means it does not require being towed to the dealer for a master code resest

[Tsuro]

Question then, if I were to change the battery (the one I have is SCREWED and will just barely start the car) will I have to get the car taken to Subaru? or will I be able to do some Seinfield, George Costanza frogger with the arcade machine battery setup to keep it alive?

[jaeyon]

Tsuro, on Aug 7 2008, 05:54 PM, said:

Question then, if I were to change the battery (the one I have is SCREWED and will just barely start the car) will I have to get the car taken to Subaru? or will I be able to do some Seinfield, George Costanza frogger with the arcade machine battery setup to keep it alive?

the security system has a battery of its own. if its been dead for too long you'll have to take it to subaru.

[Tsuro]

I will testify the WRX security system is terrible. Haven't they heard of backup battery?

The situation is my battery died (at 1am no less), was pissing battery acid everywhere and barely starting the car so I figure, hey I'll head down to 24hr K-Mart and get a new battery.

The story is I'm now stuck with a car that I can't connect the battery without the cabin alarm going skitz and it wont accept my user code.

Can somebody please tell me that Subaru is open on a Saturday to take my car in. I'm going to ask them to un-retrofit it to my car because that's seriously one stupid ass alarm

[Tsuro]

Ok there was ONE dealership open on a Saturday

I'd like to thank Tristan from Wollongong Subaru (Yes I made an interstate call) for giving me their contact details.

The issue appears to be something other than my car battery.

[OOOFFT]

this completely turns me off now for wanting to buy a 99/00 rex this weekend... lol

[jaeyon]

OOOFFT, on Aug 9 2008, 09:25 AM, said:

this completely turns me off now for wanting to buy a 99/00 rex this weekend... lol

If i recall the 99/00 models dont have the security system. i think its only bugeye (01) and up

[OOOFFT]

my mates old 99 had the system!

[Tsuro]

99/00 had the option of taking it back to the dealer and having it retro fitted.

[Boof]

Don't let a stupid keypad alarm thingo ruin buying one...If its got it, rip the shit out!! Mine just did some stupid thing the other day, won't let me put my code back in the keypad, but the cars still driving fine?!?!?! Go figure...Going to call subaru tomorrow about it, got a feelin its "going to be can you bring your car down for us to look at"....

[Black Widow]

DRF78E, on Aug 2 2008, 08:09 PM, said:

Black Widow, on Feb 19 2008, 11:53 AM, said:

Hey guys,

As this is the scoobie section and i'm gonna assume alot of people on here will own WRX's (this also applies to B4 liberty's). I thought i would help (for those that don't know) in regards to the keypad security system.

Basically all models from 99 onwards are fitted with the keypad alarm system to help reduce theft (99-01 were retro fitted with these after they were released). Upon starting the vehicle as you will all know you enter your 4 digit user code.


However how many of you have disconnected the battery? Or had a flat battery? How many of you know what has to happen next? This is where i'm gonna try and help.

If your battery goes flat (below 10 volts), or you disconnect the battery, the security system automatically shuts down and now requires a different 4 digit code. Which is the Master Code.

However to obtain this code, you need to carry out the following steps:

- Vehicle needs to be towed to your closest subaru service department.

- The dealer will then contact the subaru head office and obtain this code.

- The code will then be put in to the keypad and all is well.

I know that doesn't seem like the ideal solution to the problem but it is a security measure and if subaru starts giving out master codes left, right and centre everyone will lose they're scoobies.

Thankyou for your time


Nick

thats not true nick , this problem does not apply to all wrx's with keypads
If the the vehicle has a sleep mode keypad module fitted it will not require a master code reset
if the vehicle does not have a sleep mode keypad module then one can be purchased and programmed to the car

Sleep mode module works , in the way that if the battery dies/is disconnected , the module will go into hibernation which has a backup battery to keep its memory
which means it does not require being towed to the dealer for a master code resest

O RLY?

Thanks man...being in the call centre we don't get told this sort of stuff which would really help us!!!

[DRF78E]

Tsuro, on Aug 9 2008, 05:29 AM, said:

I will testify the WRX security system is terrible. Haven't they heard of backup battery?

The situation is my battery died (at 1am no less), was pissing battery acid everywhere and barely starting the car so I figure, hey I'll head down to 24hr K-Mart and get a new battery.

The story is I'm now stuck with a car that I can't connect the battery without the cabin alarm going skitz and it wont accept my user code.

Can somebody please tell me that Subaru is open on a Saturday to take my car in. I'm going to ask them to un-retrofit it to my car because that's seriously one stupid ass alarm

Sorry mate but you should update your knowledge base
im a subaru technician and the facts are , if you read up i have already stated if u dont want this problem you will need to get the new Sleep mode keypad module , which has a 6volt back up battery inside it
when your battery dies or is removed , the module will hibernate untill you fix it up (fit new batt e.t.c) once thats done u turn the ignition on and the keypad will be in valet mode
for 10 times , then everything will return back to normal

the brant system is good if you understand how it works , and to the untrained eyes its a shit system cause they dont understand it

there is also a manual bypass code to input to get you to the dealer ship

[Tsuro]

DRF78E, on Sep 12 2008, 08:58 PM, said:

Tsuro, on Aug 9 2008, 05:29 AM, said:

I will testify the WRX security system is terrible. Haven't they heard of backup battery?

The situation is my battery died (at 1am no less), was pissing battery acid everywhere and barely starting the car so I figure, hey I'll head down to 24hr K-Mart and get a new battery.

The story is I'm now stuck with a car that I can't connect the battery without the cabin alarm going skitz and it wont accept my user code.

Can somebody please tell me that Subaru is open on a Saturday to take my car in. I'm going to ask them to un-retrofit it to my car because that's seriously one stupid ass alarm

Sorry mate but you should update your knowledge base
im a subaru technician and the facts are , if you read up i have already stated if u dont want this problem you will need to get the new Sleep mode keypad module , which has a 6volt back up battery inside it
when your battery dies or is removed , the module will hibernate untill you fix it up (fit new batt e.t.c) once thats done u turn the ignition on and the keypad will be in valet mode
for 10 times , then everything will return back to normal

the brant system is good if you understand how it works , and to the untrained eyes its a shit system cause they dont understand it

there is also a manual bypass code to input to get you to the dealer ship

Yeah well, now i'm forced to get the latest one because my module shat itself and Subaru claim they dont have the ones for my car anymore.

Anything that doesn't have a backup battery fails IMHO. Batteries can die easily, so not only are you paying for a battery, you have to pay to tow to Subaru and then pay them to fix it...

Would have been nice if i'd had the manual bypass code that nobody would give me. Luckily I managed to finally get something that worked.

[ONDGOE]

how much did the new security system cost you tsuro?

[Tsuro]

I can't remember off the top of my head because there were so many costs associated with it. First I had it taken to my mechanic, who then paid for Subaru to come down and look at it, they then charged him for it. He then had to pay somebody else to install it because they refused to. Then I had to contact Brant to have them 'write' the codes to it (however they do send out the guy to where the car is located).

In short, it's a really frustrating exercise. If I did it again I would have taken it straight to Brant to get the matter fixed.

I have the receipts at home, I'll have a look when I get there.

[Tsuro]

My Brant had another meltdown. What's worse is they don't even have any number other than a Sydney one, despite claiming to have a Melbourne office....

I'm taking it to them to have it looked at, if it's nothing major I'll get it upgraded with keyless entry. If it's written off, they're ripping it out.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

[Tsuro]

REMOVE YOUR BRANT AND GO FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
THE INSTALLER IN MELBOURNE IS USELESS AND THE SUPPORT IN SYDNEY IS USELESS.
IN ADDITION IT IS MASSIVELY OVERPRICED.

[ian_and1]

Hey guys, what is the system like in the 2004 wrx's ? Is the old style one or does it have sleep mode ?

[Tsuro]

Define sleep mode as in backup battery?

I'm not sure but I think they started including backup batteries in the keypad alarms from 2004.

[ian_and1]

Tsuro, on 29 March 2010 - 03:49 PM, said:

Define sleep mode as in backup battery?

I'm not sure but I think they started including backup batteries in the keypad alarms from 2004.

Yeah sorry the battery back up, The build of the WRX is 11/2003 if that helps