programming a DEI 551R

I want to change one of the settings, specifically the crank time.  I think it's around the 1.8 second setting and now on a newer car maybe like 1.4 or 1.2 would be better for me.

I understand the steps, but I don't have a programming switch.  Is this switch normally open or normally closed?  I was hoping to make my own.

Also I understand transmitter button 2 will cycle me through the various times: 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, etc etc.  How do I know which setting I'm currently on?  Does one blink mean the shortest time, two blinks second shortest and so on?

Thank you!  Brian

Why aren't you using tach? It is much more reliable. I stopped installing 551R's a couple years ago, but I think I still know how to program them. Switch is normally open....pushing the switch in connects the two wires. Stop by a local shop and see if you can pick one up...will be a lot easier. A lot ov valet switches from different alarm companies use the same two pin connector. As far as adjusting the crank time if you are using voltage sense, you do it as follows: Get into the programming step you want and hold the valet button. Push button 1 on the remote....the crank time is now at the lowest setting. Push button 2 on the remote...the crank time is now at the second lowest setting. keep hitting button two and the crank time will go to the next setting until you reach the max. When you stop hitting buttons on the remote, the l.e.d. on the 551R brain will blink in a pattern indicating what setting it is on. 1 blink.....pause = .6 2 blinks.....pause = .8 3 blinks.....pause = 1.0 and so on.... Release the valet button Turn ignition off. Settings are saved.

Thanks for the instructions JWorm... I guess I'm using voltage sense over tach since it doesn't require a wire through the firewall and for me has proven to be very reliable.

How reliable can it be if you have to adjust the crank time?