programming a DEI 551R

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=20993
Printed Date: July 17, 2025 at 10:05 AM

Topic: programming a DEI 551R

Posted By: briandors
Subject: programming a DEI 551R
Date Posted: November 04, 2003 at 12:35 PM

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

Replies:

Posted By: JWorm
Date Posted: November 04, 2003 at 8:20 PM

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.

Posted By: briandors
Date Posted: November 06, 2003 at 5:35 PM

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.

Posted By: JWorm
Date Posted: November 06, 2003 at 6:01 PM

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

Posted By: briandors
Date Posted: November 06, 2003 at 6:22 PM

What I didn't explain was that this was in a '89 and now I put it into a '95 car. I am actually adjusting the time shorter. It was very rare that the '89 didn't fire on the first try, and always started when the 551 tried again in a few seconds.

What if you use tach and the engine never fires? How long will it keep cranking?