astroflex serie 120
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=98131
Printed Date: July 06, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Topic: astroflex serie 120
Posted By: mmcwill
Subject: astroflex serie 120
Date Posted: October 19, 2007 at 11:53 PM
Greetings,
I have been asked to help a friend revive his command start. I have discovered the unit is an astroflex "Serie 120". I have a strong feeling that the remote fob needs to be programmed to the unit. I have checked all the relevant wiring, and the unit seems to still be installed correctly.
I can't find programming instructions. However, there is a bank of 8 programming dip switches next to an LED which will flash when the key is removed.
I get the impression that I need to set some dipswitches during the remote fob programming, and then turn them all off again. I am also curious about tach learning/programming (I have checked continuity on the tach wire).
If anyone has information on this apparently ancient unit I would be in your debt. I have been to the Astroflex website, and it is as though the unit never existed. The part number is 310-126-101 and it was installed in a 1991 ford explorer eddie bauer edition
Replies:
Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: October 20, 2007 at 9:29 AM
Thats OLD...... try this. hood closed keys in your hand (not in the ign.) flip up # 8, push the foot brake, hit ANY button on the transmitter (hit unlock) The unit "should" click and flash the led on the unit. Put dip # 8 down, hit the brake......done. (if it programmed) now try it! -------------
Posted By: usabuilt
Date Posted: October 20, 2007 at 9:51 AM
Those are difficult to program if you have never done one before, I would send your friend to an Astrostart dealer, playing with those dip switches without knowing what you are doing will cause all sorts of problems, unless as you only need to program a transmitter..
I have been doing them since they first came out and I still get confused when I don't have my Multitest programmer.
I even remember doing them on carburated engines with an acuator tied into the choke, and you guys think transponders are a pain..
Posted By: mmcwill
Date Posted: October 20, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Tried out KarTuneMan's advice, and no dice. However, the LED did flash when the brake was pressed. I recommended my friend try out our local astro dealer as per usabuilt's advice. Don't know if he'll take it... So I reiterate. If anyone out there has info on this unit please please please enlighten me! Without the installation manual, it's like fishing without a lure.
Posted By: usabuilt
Date Posted: October 20, 2007 at 11:11 AM
try putting dipswitch 8 up, press transmitter button, then put switch down, then press brakes..
Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: October 20, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Don't just "try" anything...... these things have more programming from those little 8 dips, than you can imagine. What does the brain look like? Is it square or rectangle? The other option for programing is this.... And these (the one I already gave you) and this one, are the only 2 ways that astro has EVER used for programming remotes. open hood turn key to ON position hit brakes 1 time you now have 10 seconds to turn the key from ON to STOP 3 times. If done corectly the unit will flask the parking lights 4 times. push any button on the transmitter. If there are more than one trans. do this on BOTH, or all that are going to be used. confirmation of programming is the parking lights will flash 4 times. when this happens, hit the brakes. If this does not work you need to check the reciever (antenna) to make sure all is in tact. NOTHING will work if the antenna is messed up. Check the connection at the main unit as well. Also, look for the main control switch (it's an on/off switch) make sure it's ON. I am an Astro dealer, so my info is valid.  -------------
Posted By: usabuilt
Date Posted: October 20, 2007 at 6:16 PM
if you put dip 8 up and press the brake before you press you transmitter button you in efect just entered a settting into memory, which is why it will not work..to test your tach connection you can start the car and look at the led on the module, it should blink with the rev's of the engine.
Posted By: usabuilt
Date Posted: October 20, 2007 at 6:18 PM
p.s. on the older units which I have experience installing you cannot program a transmitter using your ign key
Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 1:10 AM
mmcwill: Try it would ya... let us know. As I said, there have only been 2 ways to program an astro transmitter. They are BOTH stated above! If it does not program with one of these 2 options, there is quite possibly something else wrong! Good luck -------------
Posted By: mmcwill
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 1:15 PM
Alright.... I tried the new method using the key /ign on/off procedure and no dice. I also tried the dip up key fob press dip down then brake and no dice. However, I took a close look at the antenna. It has three wires that go into the unit in a plug. I noticed that another wire (black) was snapped off. I imagine this is 90% of my problem. I made the assumption that the antenna must be a powered antenna, and that black would be a ground, and hooked it to chassis. Still no love. I also took the vehicle for a spin and the tachometer wire is definitely hooked up as the LED flashes faster with faster RPMs. So... if anyone can tell me more about the antenna, I would be most appreciative. Cheers, and many thanks for the prompt replies to help me with this problem. New command starts here start at 90$ for the cheapest with no install, and jump to 150$ with install, so fixing this one will still save a small bundle.
Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 1:23 PM
If there are ANY of the wires NOT connected to the reciever.... that is 100% of your problem. If this is not connected, the main unit will recieve none of the commands from the transmitter. -------------
Posted By: mmcwill
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 1:33 PM
I realize this, but I don't know where that wire goes. There are three coloured wires that go into the unit in a plug, but this fourth black wire is not part of that plug. I had assumed it was a ground of some sort. I could not find a likely location for it on the main unit as it doesn't have and other broken end to match this wire. There are a few pin headers sticking out which don't appear to have had anything attached to them ever. I'll take another look to be double sure.
Posted By: mmcwill
Date Posted: October 21, 2007 at 1:43 PM
I also got enterprising and opened the unit. The brain is a microchip PIC16c65 smd square shaped
Posted By: mmcwill
Date Posted: October 24, 2007 at 3:12 PM
Thanks for the help everyone. My friend decided to abandon this unit however. I guess at some point a few more hours of troubleshooting just isn't worth it. It's too bad though.
On the bright side it means installing the new unit will be much easier as all the wire's have been identified by the installer of the old unit.
One last question...
Was it the practice in the old units to have external relays?
I have a newer command start and I can hear the relays in the main unit. However in my friends setup, there are about 4 relays kicking about on all the relevant wiring
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