Update: 99 Elantra vs. 690xv

Tonight I borrowed a garage to work in!  OK, this is the link to my original post describing my problems with my 690xv install:

https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=27083&PN=3

My electronic shop teacher would be proud as I've remembered how to REALLY use my DMM!  Anyway, I checked the ground at the main harness connector and it is solid. Checked the +12V constant, and getting a solid +12.9V. Check the +12V ignition and good to go. I am stumped! The brain is operating the domelight supervision flawlessly, the shock sensor's LED is lighting when jiggled, but I have no status LED and it doesn't seem like the valet switch is working because I tried programming "blind" but no chirps were generated.

I tested the valet switch, and it showed continuous when depressed so switch is good. I powered the siren from a fused jumper and it wailed so good again. I took the brain out and connected it to a mini 12V battery I have and observed that the LED harness connector that corresponds to the red wire on the LED pigtail shows +12V when powered. Could the LED be bad? Could I test it by directly powering it with red lead to (+) battery and blue to (-) battery? It's been 13 years since electronics shop, but I swear I remember LED circuits always had resistors involved so I didn't want to risk it. Could a bad LED muddy up the brains operation? Seems far-fetched, but I'm hoping to find an answer before DEI gives me the "too bad, you have no warranty since you installed it yourself", which will put $185 of hurting on my wallet. :V:

Also, the remote is no help because the 690xv unit I got came with the new blue remote and the insert card in the 690xv box says it has to be programmed before use. I tried anyway before I pulled the brain out but the remote's indicator is saying it's not communicating, antenna was plugged in too, so I guess the insert card is accurate.  

I am so frustrated and feel like a fool. Money has been real tight since I got laid off as a Christmas gift after 8 years and with a newborn baby girl!  Only reason I bought the alarm because the efficiency my wife and I were forced to move into is in such a "great" neighboorhood that our car has been broken into twice in five weeks living there!  The SOBs stole our daughter's car seat, not to mention the damage to the car just to look for change - they never even touch the ignition!  Thought an alarm would at least give me a fighting chance, but couldn't afford the $450-500 installed price - better that my daughter eats and has toys (2manytoyz)! Thought I was getting a deal if I DIYed it.  Now I have a bad feeling the brain is bad out of the box, and DEI is going to send me packing with $185 flushed, no way to get it replaced, and right back to where we were getting broken into.