CompuStar CM4200 Program Mode Problems

I have a 1W900FMR(S) with CM4200 brain installed in a 2004 Toyota Tundra. No problems with remote start, door lock/unlock. However, by following the directions in the install manual I get the following for both Program modes 1 & 2:

Attempt 1:
Press I & II buttons for > 2 seconds, parking lights flash, press IV once, parking lights flash, press IV a second time, parking lights flash, press IV a third time, parking lights flash 3 times and brain exits programming mode.

Attempt 2:
Press I & II buttons for > 2 seconds, parking lights flash, press IV once, parking lights flash, wait about 2 seconds, parking lights give long flash, brain exits programming mode.

Attempt 3:
Press I & II buttons for > 2 seconds, parking lights flash, press IV once, parking lights flash, press IV a second time, parking lights flash, wait about 2 seconds, parking lights give long flash, brain exits programming mode.


What should happen is after entering the correct programming number (1-10, etc.), it should flash the selected item number via the parking lights (i.e., flash 1-10 times) and then allow me to change the item (e.g., turn on passive locking, etc.).

Any ideas why I cannot get past 3 flashes or why it will not even respond to 1 or 2 presses of IV button?

TIA

All right, let me try a different approach. The progression of CompuStar's brains has gone from complex programming requirements (ignition ON, chirp ON, etc.) to the new interface on the 4200.

Given the legacy steps required for programming the earlier brains, what is the minimum inputs and/or outputs that need to be connected for the 4200 brain to enter/operate correctly in programming mode?

Does the ignition need to be ON for the 4200?

Does 'chirp' need to be ON for the 4200?

Thanks.

NO.

Is the hood pin gounded?

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Hood pin is grounded (when hood is up) and is operational (remote start won't work with hood up).

I've read before that some of the 3000 series brains were complicated and that some people had problems entering programming mode with the older units, but it seems odd on my 4200 that everything else works correctly (passive door locks, remote start, keyless entry, hood pin, etc.).

Thanks for the reply.

I don't have much issue with Compustar unit even the one you have noted. My suggestion is to make sure that the hood pin is not grounded when you are trying to do your programing. I have not done swapping experiment of parts to make things more complicated that it already is. That said, I do know that there is a programming button on the antenna of the 4200 unit. Perhaps, you can just use the orginal antenna and make your programming selection and then change the antenna back afterward.    

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Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.

I'll completely disconnect the hood pin wire to make sure that it's 100% isolated and give it another try (I'll post the results later).

I thought only the AM antenna was programmable. I'll have to take a closer look at the 1W900FMR antenna.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

Disconnecting the hood pin wire had no effect at all.

I did find something interesting in the CM4200 S Controller installation guide - on Page 6 for Connector #1 it states "GREEN/ Red - This wire is used to power the (+) Ignition. This wire is also an input for the CompuStar used to monitor the status of the vehicle and for programming." This statement seems to be a throw-back to the earlier 3000 series when the ignition had to be ON in order to program the unit (yes, I tried the ignition ON and OFF, but it had no effect on the programming of the 4200). If I had an AM version, the ignition has to be ON and the antenna programming button depressed, but I don't have an AM antenna to try.

In addition to the above fun, I also noticed that what I described in my first post is actually what is described on Page 13 for "Resetting any Option Setting to the Factory Setting." In other words, whether I press button III three times OR button IV three times, it flashes three times and goes out of programming mode (I can even press a combination of the two to get the three times). Seems the 4200 is interpreting both buttons as being the same. I'm starting to wonder if the 1W900FMR actually has any programmable features....

For reference, here's Page 13 and how I mapped the buttons to the four button one-way remote. If I've misinterpreted anything, let me know....I hope it's just a dumb mistake on my part...

Click Here for Link to Page 13

I always work with the pager so it's problem free. Can you try to use the button IV as the trunk to see if you getting any respond with this.

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Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.

I get the same result using III and IV interchangeably (both seem to set the default mode). The trunk (which I've been calling III) requires a 2 second hold before the lights flash, while the start (which I've been calling IV) just takes a half second before the lights flash. But I can even mix and match using both buttons to get to three times before I get the 3 flashes and go out of programming mode. It seems the remote is sending the same frequency for both buttons or the brain is interpreting both buttons the same.

I don't have access to an LCD remote or I would try it. It sounds like it is much easier to get into programming mode.

From the one-way remote guide, the 1/2 sec trunk is an auxiliary option and the 2 sec trunk is to open the trunk (which I don't have hooked up). While the 1/2 sec start is for a second auxiliary function and the 2 sec start actually starts the vehicle. It would seem logical that the brain would trigger off of the 1/2 sec (aux signals). Maybe I'm holding the trunk button down too long (sending the trunk open signal instead of the aux 1 signal).

I'll try the aux 1 signal and post the results.

Thanks again for your help!

Yippee! Miller time! I finally cracked the programming code!!!!


Using the one-way four button remote:

All you have to do is substitute pressing buttons III & IV simultaneously where the instructions in Step 2 say to press only button IV (Page 13 - see link above).

Thus, the combination of buttons III & IV is pressed and held until the blue led flashes, the parking lights will then flash, repeat pressing and holding buttons III & IV simultaneously (and waiting for parking flash) until you reach your option number, then wait about two seconds, the parking lights will flash the number back to you, then press button I or II (default, optional setting respectively) to select your preference. Works like a charm once you know the secret.....

Big props to thepencil for helping narrow down the possible solutions. Thanks!!

Thank you for posting your result in such great details.    I am glad that you got it figure out and working. You have taught me something too. You posted some excellent infomation here. It's been a while since I have seen someone who can actually write in fully sentence of there results. It will serve as great reference for myself as well as to others in the future if it is ever needed.    Thanks again.

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Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.