testing alarm outputs

I was wondering if I can test an input by grounding it to see if the alarm wil sound. I have a Viper 5901 that I'm having trouble getting to work with my door triggers. Can I ground the green negative door trigger wire H1/8 directly to the vehicle ground to test it. It shows constant 12 volts whether armed or disarmed.

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If it is the negative door trigger wire, yes grounding it should make the alarm go off.  What kind of vehicle do you have.  Some vehicles have door trigger systems that fail. 

Just in case, make sure you disconnect it from the factory wire prior to grounding it. That way if you accidentally got the wrong wire you won't do any damage.

Its a 2010 Fusion. I have a thread on here about my install, but have had no replies on this for several days. I didn't want to start another thread, but I thought this might be considered a new issue. All the other triggers are working. Hood pin, trunk trigger and shock sensor all will sound alarm when triggered. All four door trigger wires are diode isolated with the bands towards the SJB. I tested all diodes before and after attaching to the trigger wires. I show resistance when the door is closed and open circuit when door is open. The message center on the dash is still functioning properly and will identify which door is open.

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Audiovox has the following info for your vehcle.

All Door Trigger

GRAY/VIOLET

(+)

AT SMART JUNCTION BOX BEHIND DRIVERS SIDE OF DASH ABOVE KICKPANEL

the note reads: SJB 14 PIN GRAY CONNECTOR PIN#9

Thanks. I just grounded the green H1/8 and the alarm did not sound. Do you think I should try using the positive trigger wire you listed with the purple H1/6 instead or see about replacing the 5901 module?

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 You sort of answered your own question in a way.

monty862 wrote:

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and open circuit when door is open.

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An open circuit, which all newer Ford door triggers are, is neither a (+) or (-)  I always use the domelight...in your case the Grey/violet (+).It will have a delay, so if your system has a setting to ignore the open door for a period of time, you will need to set it.

Thanks. Wonder why the DEI install sheet shows these four "trigger" wires, color and location? And any clue why it still didn't sound when I grounded the wire?

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I was wondering the same thing.....did you allow the alarm enough time to set up?

I didn't know there was any set up time. I hit arm and grounded the wire within 30 seconds.

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Would I have to switch the settings to a normally open circuit for this ground test to work?

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Yes, I would. I switched it to nomally open and the alarm sounded when I grounded the wire. So it looks like the module is ok. Thanks for the info on the proper wire to tap into. Looks like DEI needs to update their install sheet for this car. Sure caused me a lot of extra work.

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Some Vipers can be programmed to allow for the open circuit, OR you can obtain a DEI part for it.

That would be great. I didn't see any programing option for that in the bitwriter though. It is  the 5901 model alarm. If it is not too pricey I'd rather buy the part you mention, versus undoing all my wiring. Do you have a part number or name? Thanks

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It's called a DTIMAZDA, by the way, door trigger normally waits 5 seconds before activating.

You won't need the part though, menu 1 section 13 door trigger type, option 2 do it from the programming, you don't need a Bitwriter, just lots of patience! How come they never reached the UK yet I've got all the answers? One comment, RTFM!

I'm not sure what you mean. The install sheet states normally closed and that is what I set it for. The testing I did seemed to confirm that. (Resistance with door closed.) I reversed the setting when I was checking the module wire. Alarm would then sound when H1/8 was grounded. I thought a negative signal would be produced by the car when the door was opened, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

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What I mean is what you've already found. Closed circuit to ground when doors shut, open circuit when opened so do what I say and stop questioning to much analysis screws up the installation. Your looking at an ground-loop circuit. Breaking it will trigger the alarm.

I guess I'm too dense to grasp what your saying or else I'm not conveying my problem clearly. Here is what I have done and it does not work. Install sheet states: 4 individual door trigger wires; I found and verified. Install sheet states (neg. normally closed). I put a 1 amp diode on each trigger wire with the cathode toward the trigger. I attached the green H1/8 neg. door trigger input wire from the 5901 to the four combined diode isolated wires. The 5901 was set to option 2 (normally closed). Alarm was armed and I get no reaction when any door is opened. Hood pin works, trunk trigger works, shock sensor works, trunk pop and remote start works. I'd be more than happy to "just do what your saying" but it sounds like that is what I've already done. I'll use the dome light wire if I must, but I'd rather not have to deal with the delay feature. As far as I can see the 5901 doesn't have a adjustment for that. Any help greatly appreciated.

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You're not too dense, I wasn't reading your earlier post all the way through. Sorry for coming on a bit strong. Disconnect the leads to your green wire and test again.

I have taken the four dioded leads off the green negative trigger wire. I reattached them one at a time. They all will trigger the alarm when their respective door is open; as long as no other lead is attached. As soon as I add two triggers to the mix, no reaction. It sounds like a diode situation to me. I'm sure I installed them properly as was illustrated in the 12volt.com diagram for a negative triggered system. Cathode toward the trigger. Thoughts or solutions? Thanks 

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this car has positive triggers.

change all your diodes, you want the silver band on diode to be towards the alarm, or away from the door trigger wire on car.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

Thanks for the reply. Do you know the procedure to test to see whether a car has neg or pos triggers? I've got 3 different install and wiring guides and they all state neg triggers. I'm not saying you are wrong, but I'd like to know how to double check them. Is it as simple as checking for voltage before the diodes? Ground when closed,12 volts when opened? Thanks 

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The only thing that makes me question that, is the message center on the dash still functions properly. It will still tell me which door is open. I didn't think it would be able to function if the diodes were reversed. You guys certainly know more about this than I do, but I still try to understand why things are wired as they are. Would the message center still work if the diodes were reversed?

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Obtained and installed a DTIMAZDA module. Everything now functions as it is supposed to. Thanks for the tip Howie.

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