Help with security / alarm system

I am trying to understand what the alarm system does on my 98 ram 1500 truck.
When I bought this truck 4 weeks ago I was given no information on the system. I was told the truck shuts off while driving at times but a reason could not be found. I think there is a possibility that this could be some part of the problem. I tried uploading a pic of the fob but it says that the file is to large so I will tell you it says VIPER across the top. Then it has 4 soft key buttons that are numbered 1 thru 4.
I was told that this is a Dodge system so I am wondering what does each button do? they have disconnected some of the wires out under the hood so The system might not be usable anymore. Where could I get a wiring diagram or instructions for this system?
Any information on this would be appreciated.
Thanks Rod

I don't think thats the factory key fob.
I don't have VTSS on my truck, but i'm pretty sure the key fobs for trucks with it are the same as those without. (Attached picture, mine has the panic button despite not having VTSS)

If you want to tell, look at the overhead console near the windshield, there should be a little dot or hole for a red LED. You can also check the underhood fuse block for the security relay spot to be filled with a relay. Most aftermarket systems do not use the factory relay spot and instead mount their relay in an easier spot.

I'd suspect you have an aftermarket security system as the factory security system will either allow the engine to start, or not, it will never shut down the engine once it has started.

dudeman2009, thanks for the response. I am sure you are correct about it not being a factory system. Could it be a system that any or all dodge dealers could get and install as an after thought by the customer? The truck was a one owner and he said the dealer installed it. He claimed they did all his work for the first 5 years bur that doesnt mean he told me the complete truth. As I'm typing this I just thought I should google viper security systems and see if I can find anything on them. I'll let you know if I find anything out. Thanks again.
Rod

The dealer can and will install an aftermarket security system, they can charge you the install and follow the easy instructions that come with. They stand to make a decent profit if they have a good tech, or pay flat rate.

The dealer will install any security system you want, so long as its actually possible and legal. That being said, most of the aftermarket security installs done by dealers are of a reliable and somewhat cheap source.

Its likely that your system is no longer sold, short of taking it to a specialist and having them find information on it, you can look around for yourself. Lots of security systems put their boxes in on top of the fender wells as there is usually ample room and its not really possible to access without first getting into the vehicle to open the hood.

You're probably looking for a black box, it probably wont have much information on the outside, but there might be information on the underside or inside it if it comes apart. Another option is to contact Viper themselves, from the description of the keyfob, they should be able to point you in the right direction, the keyfob should have a part number on it that they can cross reference to a specific set of security systems.

The real problem is, short of having physical access, or knowledge of the model of security system, there is little I can do to help from here. If you cant get any information on the security system, you're looking at either a specialty electrical shop that can spend the time to go over what is stock and what is not, or take it to the dealer.

Dudeman2009,
Again thanks for the response. After doing some searches it appears this type of security system can be bought from electronics places or installed by dealerships or anyone else that wants to do an installation. I think I am going to do a removal of it because I can see that some of the wiring is already disconnected. I would think if I chase all the wiring coming from this box and remove them it would make a clean removal without causing any problems? I dont need a security system so I am ok with it being gone and with wires already not connected it serves no purpose.
Thanks Rod

The easiest way is to get install instructions or a wiring diagram for the security system and work backwards from that. Some systems have you do weird things with the factory harness.

Short of that, just tracing everything and removing it will also work. Just make sure you remember where every wire goes incase you have to go back and do something else should removal cause stuff to not work.

Had a few minutes tonight so I thought I would check out this security system. Pulled the wires that were out under the hood and found one of the wires for the system had a relay of some type that looks as tho it rusted the metal cover off it. I went under the dash and started to cut wire ties trying to see what all was involved. This thing has wires going every where!
Unfortunately I cant post pics to this sight for some reason. But I found the main box and there are 2 clear plastic smaller boxes with circuit boards. also a small reset button. I will have to wait until I remove the dash to get to all the wires. I have already noticed that by removing the main box the door locks have stopped working so I will need to start the truck after each wire is removed in order to make sure nothing becomes disabled as I go.

The unit is a Viper Auto Security, Model 600HF Code Plus.
Going to do some research to see what may have been spliced into for it to work. Might make it easier to remove. I also recontacted the previous owner and after he thought about it he said the system was installed by a circuit city store.
Rod

rod7515 said:

Had a few minutes tonight so I thought I would check out this security system. Pulled the wires that were out under the hood and found one of the wires for the system had a relay of some type that looks as tho it rusted the metal cover off it. I went under the dash and started to cut wire ties trying to see what all was involved. This thing has wires going every where!
Unfortunately I cant post pics to this sight for some reason. But I found the main box and there are 2 clear plastic smaller boxes with circuit boards. also a small reset button. I will have to wait until I remove the dash to get to all the wires. I have already noticed that by removing the main box the door locks have stopped working so I will need to start the truck after each wire is removed in order to make sure nothing becomes disabled as I go.

The unit is a Viper Auto Security, Model 600HF Code Plus.
Going to do some research to see what may have been spliced into for it to work. Might make it easier to remove. I also recontacted the previous owner and after he thought about it he said the system was installed by a circuit city store.
Rod

Click to expand...

Installed by circuit city. No offense, but you're ******. Unless you have time and patience, you're better off taking to a dedicated electrical shop, or finding someone who knows what they're doing (look for mechanics who do side work) to fix it for you.

If you lived nearby, i'd help you out for a bit of alcohol

http://www.directeddealers.com/manuals/ig/viper/N448V.pdf

That is the link to the install guide. Its not vehicle specific, but it will tell you what each wire does, and what they did when hooking it up. Hopefully it helps some.

Dudeman, why do you think Im ******? What does Circuit city do that will make removal any worse than anyone else? I guess Im lucky in the fact that I spent all but 30 years wrenching for a living but Ive never gotten involved in aftermarket wiring. Yes it looks like it is going to be a night mare. Im hoping that they didnt cut wires and they just used crimp connectors. I have to remove the dash to replace the heater core so I will get a better look at what they did when I tackle that. In taking a quick look at the installation instructions I dont see any wire cutting needed but you never know.

As for rewiring you should see the task I had to do on my dart when I moved the battery to the trunk, added a NHRA cutoff approved switch and wiring plus eliminated the bulk head connector and rewired everything going forward so no wires are in engine compartment.

My issue on this truck is that im not young anymore and getting under the dash to see is next to impossible. Hoping that I can see everything with dash pulled out!

Thanks for the link, I looked for one last night with no luck so I was happy to see you supplied me with one.
Rod

I say that only because you don't know what the guy before you did. If it was a professional shop, as you know from your own experience, there is a certain amount of common knowledge among mechanics on how to make the next guy's life easier.

Circuit city had it's own little setup for a while for automotive installs, but they were far from mechanics, they put things where it best worked for the system, not the guy who had to troubleshoot the thing later.

If you're lucky the guy who did this one had some experience in system installs and was mentally aware of the little tricks that made for common courtesy to the next guy.

Can it be fixed, absolutely, but its not going to be fun.

Also, for the heater core, you don't need to remove the dash, just loosen it and pull it back a bit. I have a writeup somewhere on here about how to do it without touching the A/C or pulling the dash completely.