How to Reset Aftermarket (Checkmate) Car Alarm

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Symptoms of a tripped alarm can include: flashing headlights, a honking horn, and the motor not turning over when key is turned. This can be invaluable in preventing someone from stealing your car, but can also be very stressful if the alarm is falsely tripped. On occasion, the alarm system malfunctions and will not turn off.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Resetting Your Checkmate Alarm System in with a Valet Switch

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The valet switch is either a toggle switch or a push button that disarms all alarm functions except the remote panic and remote door lock functions. This eliminates the need to hand your remote to garage mechanics and valets, giving the switch its name. Usually this switch is located somewhere under the dash, perhaps on the left kick panel. [1]
    • A valet switch is a standard piece of equipment with most factory and aftermarket alarm systems.
    • Using the valet switch should serve to reset your alarm.
    • Your alarm should stay shut down as long as you are in valet mode. You should be aware that this disables you alarm system, meaning that your car is unprotected if you use it as a long term solution.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It is not necessary to start the car. As a matter of fact, you may find that you cannot start the car if you try. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will activate the valet bypass. The alarm should now be disabled. [3]
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Resetting Your Checkmate Alarm System With the Car Battery

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Usually the battery is located under the hood or in the trunk. Occasionally it can be found other places, such as under a rear seat.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will cut power to the entire car. The ground is the cable connected to the negative battery terminal and is usually black.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Lock all passenger doors from inside the vehicle and the driver's door from outside with the key (you won’t be able to use the remote).
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is only necessary if the battery is under your hood.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You must hold this down when you connect the battery. Note that your alarm may not be equipped with a hood position detector. The detector looks like a plunger switch pointing upward. It will be pressed down when hood is closed, telling your alarm that nobody has tampered with the hood. The plunger will usually be enclosed within a rubber boot.
    • If your battery is not under your hood, it is not necessary to have the hood open and manually depress the hood position detector. You can simply close the hood.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will restore power to the vehicle with all doors locked, trunk locked, and the hood position switch held down. Having everything closed and locked up will signal to your alarm that no intrusions have taken place, and this should reset your alarm.
    • If all is well the horn will be silent, and the headlights will stop flashing.
    • The car is ready to start.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Resetting Using the “Wait It Out” Method

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Be patient and the alarm will reset itself.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-11.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once the alarm resets it will still be armed, but will not be activated.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-12.jpg\/aid669493-v4-728px-Reset-Aftermarket-%28Checkmate%29-Car-Alarm-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will disarm your alarm, effectively resetting it.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I have an after-market car alarm. When I shut down the car, the alarm light stays on. When I start the car, the light goes off. When I put the alarm on and bump the car, the alarm doesn't go off. What could be the problem?
    Community Answer
    Your car alarm may have a delay before it actually arms. It a safety feature to prevent tripping if one or more doors are not closed properly upon pressing the remote to arm.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 13
  • Question
    Is there an extremely quick method to reset this system?
    Community Answer
    Turn the ignition key to the on position. It is not necessary to start the car.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 13 Helpful 23
  • Question
    Why won't the remote start work in my 1999 Cadillac DeVille?
    Community Answer
    Perhaps the system is old, or maybe you broke the remote.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Be cautious when connecting/disconnecting the battery. Never let a conductive material touch both posts at the same time.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Turn off an Airbag Light with or without a Scanner
      How to
      Find the 5 Digit Default Keyless Code on Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer
      How to
      Shut Off a Car Alarm That Won't Quit
      How to
      Deactivate OnStar
      How to
      Reset a Factory Car Alarm
      How to
      Install Tweeters
      How to
      Program GM Keyless Remotes
      How to
      Install a Car Alarm
      How to
      Peak and Tune a CB Radio
      How to
      Install a Tachometer
      How to
      Use Tesla Camp Mode to Stay Cozy on Your Trip
      How to
      Modify the Navigation System of an Acura
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=109290
      2. ↑ http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=109290
      3. ↑ http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=109290

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 223,314 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement