Commando Tech Sheet Problem Solving

Car Alarm Parts - Old commando product we thankfully no longer carry

            We strive to provide the best service possible to our customers.  This tech sheet has a list of common problems and remedies.  Hopefully you will find this handy if you have a problem with a unit.  If you still cannot get the unit to function properly, give them a call at 1-800-780-1409. Or since it is highly unlikely that you will get through on this number try one of their websites such as www.slickcar.com.

We are leaving this resource up for those that need help with these Chinese made commando units. This is unfortunately the only help we can render as we have had only sporadic results in getting our phone calls and emails answered as well.

Testing Wires

            If you are unsure on which wire to connect to, you can perform a simple test.  Get a 12V test light, usually found at your local auto parts store.  Locate the wire on your vehicle wiring chart, then notice the polarity (+) or (-).  If its a positive (+), then clip the alligator clip of your test light to ground (-) and probe the wire you believe is the one you need.  If its a ground   (-) then clip the alligator clip to 12V constant (+) and probe the wire you believe you need.  It should light the test light only when you complete that circuit. 

            Ex If you are testing to see if that is your lock wire, assuming your lock wire is positive (+), clip the alligator clip to ground, probe your wire and hit the lock button on the vehicle.  The test light should only light when you press the lock button.

 General Problem (not unit specific)

Problem:

            Siren makes noise, but very quietly (or) parking lights flash, but very dim.

Solution:

Check your system ground wire.  Be sure this is grounded to vehicle chassis and that all paint/ oxidation where that wire meets is removed.  Ground will not pass through paint or rust.

Problem:

            Unit pops fuses whenever I press a button

Solution:

Check to be sure your vehicle does not have 5 Wire Reverse Polarity door locks.  If so, you must use either a DLR or (x2) R30-H Relays.  If you are already configured for this, check your connections, one is wrong somewhere.

Solution 2:

Be sure that your parking lights are hooked up to the right wire.  If you are in doubt, please see Testing Wires above.

*Note*:

-Notice what it is that you are doing immediately before the fuse pops.  If you hit unlock button and it pops, check your lock/unlock outputs.  If its when you open the trunk, check the trunk wire.  You may also want to check for exposures in wires.  If the wire is frayed, it could make contact with ground.

-The reason a unit will pop fuses is generally when you are on an opposite polarity.  This is if your unit is spitting out a 12V signal and you put it on a grounded wire, the fuse will pop.

Problem:

            Car doesnt start after installing starter kill relay

Solution:

The starter kill relay is probably installed incorrectly.  Be sure your red wire is to the key side of your starter wire and the white wire is to the starter side.  Also be sure you connect the wire labeled Grounded Output When Armed to the orange wire on the starter kill relay.

Problem:

            -Alarm sounds while driving

Solution:

-If your alarm goes off while driving, be sure your ignition (Usually Yellow) wire is hooked up.  This wire shuts the alarm system down when the car is running.  You can test to see if you have a good source of ignition by putting the vehicle in valet mode.  To do this, turn the key to the on position and press and hold the valet switch.  If the LED light comes on constant, ignition is good.  If not, please check your ignition wire.  If the unit does go into valet mode, please be sure to do the same steps to take it back out of valet mode before continuing.

Problem:

            -Unit does not get any range

Solution:

-Check your antenna wire.  If it is mounted on your windshield, check the antennas wire to be sure it is not dug into metal or pinched by any clips.  If the antenna gets grounded, all range will be lost.

Solution 2:

-Make sure the vehicle does not have any tint on the front windshield.  Tint has metallic flakes in it, which are known to cut down on range.

*Note*:

-If the remotes do not respond to the unit after install, it could also be your antenna.  Be sure it is connected, and once again, not grounded.  You may think the unit is dead, but the problem truly lies in the antenna.

Problem:

-System will not go into programming mode and/or system only locks/unlocks the doors. Siren and/or remote start do not work.

Solution:

-Check your ignition wire, usually yellow.  If the ignition wire is not installed, or improperly installed, the unit will not program.  Also be sure to check to be sure your system is NOT in valet mode.  The LED light should be off when programming. If it is on constant, refer to the section on valet mode in your manual to take it back out.

Model Specific Notes:

KE-30:

Only lock button works (locks and unlocks doors)

-If after installation, only the lock button works, try hitting it 2 times in a row.  If this locks and unlocks your doors from one button, try programming it for Auto Channel.  This is listed under Programming the Remotes.

520-S:

Unit does not function after hooking up door locks

-Please check to be sure your vehicle is a (-) negative locking system.  The 520-S cannot support positive (+) or 5 wire reverse polarity.  If this is the case, please disconnect your door locks, and test the system again.  If the system still fails, please read below for warranty information.

RS-560:

Unit does not remote start

-Please check to be sure you are in voltage mode.  It is under Start Feature II programming.  It is imperative that you push the lock and unlock buttons at EXACTLY THE SAME TIME.  This prevents you from slipping into another programming mode. 

-Check to be sure that the H6 #6, Black/White wire, is grounded.  If it is not grounded, the vehicle will not start.  Be sure to check that it is the Black/White wire and not the White/Black wire.  If the White/Black is grounded, the unit will not start.

-Check to be sure your brake wire is on the correct location.  You may want to remove this wire temporarily to test the system.  If this wire is on the wrong side of the brake switch and see 12V constant, the unit will not start.

-Check the hood pin trigger.  Sometimes, even thought it appears as if it is shut, it is still making a contact.  Again, you may want to temporarily remove this wire to test the system.

Car remote starts, then shuts down immediately

-Be sure your vehicle does not require a remote start bypass module.  Most vehicles can be tested for this by sliding the key in the cylinder (do not turn it) and then remote starting. Again, this is only for some vehicles.  If you are unsure, you can take down your vehicles VIN code and call your manufacturer.  They should be able to tell you if it has an immobilizer system.  If it does require a bypass module, please contact us for the part that will best fit your vehicle.

*Note*

-If you have been doing a lot of programming, and have not succeeded yet, try putting the unit back into Factory Default Settings.  Do this for the Alarm Feature Programming and Remote Start Feature Programming.  Sometimes, the unit gets into strange program modes without the user knowing it.

FM-870

Unit does not remote start

-Please check to be sure you are in voltage mode.  It is under Start Feature II programming.  It is imperative that you push the lock and unlock buttons at EXACTLY THE SAME TIME.  This prevents you from slipping into another programming mode. 

-Check to be sure that the H6 #3, Black/White wire, is grounded.  If it is not grounded, the vehicle will not start.  Be sure to check that it is the Black/White wire and not the White/Black wire.  If the White/Black is grounded, the unit will not start.

-Check to be sure your brake wire is on the correct location.  You may want to remove this wire temporarily to test the system.  If this wire is on the wrong side of the brake switch and see 12V constant, the unit will not start.

-Check the hood pin trigger.  Sometimes, even thought it appears as if it is shut, it is still making a contact.  Again, you may want to temporarily remove this wire to test the system.

Car remote starts, then shuts down immediately

-Be sure your vehicle does not require a remote start bypass module.  Most vehicles can be tested for this by sliding the key in the cylinder (do not turn it) and then remote starting. Again, this is only for some vehicles.  If you are unsure, you can take down your vehicles VIN code and call your manufacturer.  They should be able to tell you if it has an immobilizer system.  If it does require a bypass module, please contact us for the part that will best fit your vehicle.