compustar cm3300 problem

I  have a CompuStar alarm system in my car, and a little bit ago it stopped working. I took it to a local shop to have them look at it, they tried a new antenna and a new remote, and neither seemed to fix the problem. They said they would have to take a look at the whole system, and then figure out what is wrong. IIRC it was $75 an hour for diagnostics, plus whatever it costs to fix the problem.

I was digging around in my dash earlier today, and found the brain box, I checked all the connections and everything seemed intact. I checked the little 10A fuse that was connected to the brain and that is good also. I unhooked all connections and battery for about 10 min, then put it all back together, and nothing happens. I dont have much time to dig into it further, plus Im not to sure about ripping out my entire dash, I always tend to have extra parts after Im done.

When I reprogram the remote with the ignition, it blinks like it should but neither of my remotes will stay programmed. The batteries in both remotes are good, and from time to time the LED inside the car will blink when I lock the doors from inside. The model of the brain is the CM3300 and the remote is the 2wFMT, if that helps anyone.

Does anyone know what else I should try to get it working? As far as I know there are only 2 CompuStar places in my area, and Ive been to both, and they both said the same thing, one was about $25 per hour more for diagnostics, than the other.

Thanks for the help.

I couldnt find an edit button to add some more info.

I have 2 two way remotes for this system. One came with the car, and was trashed, the guy had sent it throught the washing machine but it still worked. The LCD screen was broken and nothing displayed but all the functions still worked. I got a new remote from a local retailer, and everything worked great.

Now when I try to program the new(er) remote, it doesnt say that it is transmitting. There is a little icon on the remote that says its transmitting, and that doesnt light up when I try to program it. Im not sure if thats because of the brain not working right, or if its a remote problem too. I really dont want to have to buy another remote, because they are $130 a peice.

Do I have 2 problems, one with the remote and one with the brain, or is it all one problem?

reax222 wrote:

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So your old two way remote worked, but the new one doesn't program? Are the remotes working on the same freq? I don't believe the 2w900FMR will talk to an antenna that is designed to work on a short wavelength.
If this is the case, then you need a new antenna. Don't trust, verify as much as you can yourself.

Try reprogramming the old remote, if everything works fine, then the alarm is most likely good.

There are more than likely more than one fuse. Look for a fuse near the battery, look for several near the brain box. On the CM4000, there are three, one input, one for parking lights and one other output.

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Right now none of the remotes are working. Its not the 2w900fm its the 2wfmr, the remote right before the 900. The remote that came with the car was beat up and the lcd didnt work, so I bought a new one that is the same. The new remote worked with the system for a long time until everything stopped working all of a sudden. Ive tried both remotes countless times, and neither will program to the system.

Ive tried looking for more fuses near the brain but I cant see more than a few inches of wire before it all dissapears under the dash. I will look under the hood for another fuse. Would this one be closer to the battery, or the siren?

If I do need a new brain, where would I go to get one? Should I try the 888 number for compustar, or would I have better luck getting one from a dealer in my area?

Thanks for your help.

The warranty is for the origional purchaser only, the guy that had my car before me had it installed. I found a couple of brain boxes online, I had no idea that they were as cheap as they are.

I will check the under hood fuse, and if that is good I will probably pick up a new box.

Thanks for all your help.