I think alarm system has locked out starter.updated 4-1

[topper197]

This may have been answered before but I can't find it. I have a 98 Legacy GT Limited. Just bought it in Dec. and the Head Gasket went. Just finished replacing the HG and timing belt. Hooked battery back up and heard the alarm sound then quit. Now I have several indicater lights flashing and no power to starter at all. The rest of the electrical will come on, but when turning key only the fan comes on. I even hear clicking from the ABS system but no fire. What can I do? I have one clicker that the owner gave me but I have to replace that battery. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,Allan

[LegacyGT97]

Sounds exactly like your alarm has locked the start.
Its a immobilizer, I have one on my Legacy.
Only thing you can do is to replace the battery.
Or try looking for a valet button under the dash somewhere,
it will by-pass the alarm and allow you to start the car. Press it 3 times.

If your car alarm is like mine it locks the start 10 minutes after being inactive.

[GTDrifter]

when you change the battery in the remote you have to hit the valet button under the dash
its by the hood release and you push up
as for how many times and how long, i was told by a subaru dealership that you press and hold for 10 seconds, i did that and nothing so i took it there and they did it...ive had to use this button when my alarm remote stopped working for a bit and managed to figure it out but forgot again

basically just press and hold the button in different configuration until something happens, my alarm was going off when i did mine so it turned off when i did it right

[topper197]

Ok the latest is this. If I hold the button down the engine will turn over but not crank. There is no spark to the coil and the fuel pump is not on so this tells me the security is still locking me out. So what next? Any ideas? I need to get this thing running. Any help would be appreciated.

[LegacyGT97]

I would try pressing it like 2 twice and starting, then if it doesn't work, 3 times, and so on.

Hopefully you can get it to work! Thats the one bad thing about alarms.

[decke48]

try wiggling the harness wires around the hood release. it happens on my car once and a while the connections gets loose that the alarm locks out and wont work.
does your fob still lock/unlock the doors?

[topper197]

no. it's broken and doesnt work. I replaced the batteries but that didnt help

[ouch1011]

Unless it is aftermarket, I don't think the factory alarm locks out the fuel/ignition. Just the starter.