From: susan@rooftop.com   
      
   On Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:36:10 -0700, Jeff  wrote:   
      
   >I just reread you original post.  I believe I found a clue, "Alarm   
   >system is off as it should be..."   
   >"...ALARM SYSTEM..."!!!   
   >   
   >Aftermarket, of course, with "Starter Disable"!   
   >I would advise to tear it out.   
      
   and...   
      
   On Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:25:51 -0600, Oldphart   
    wrote:   
      
   >I vote for the alarm also.  1993 toyota 4wd had the batter go dead,   
   >changed it and had to reset the Audiovox alarm with the keyfob and the   
   >pushbutton switch.  In my case, taking it to an alarm store to have them   
   >reset the system was costly so I let my son take it to school and the   
   >teenage nerds in his shop class set things right.  I vote to energize   
   >the alarm also.  It probably defaults to an Open Circuit when power is   
   >cut disabling the starter as part of the antitheft feature.   
      
   Okay. I'm all for it being the alarm's fault, but I'm not so sure.   
   Here's a little background and you can tell me if you still think it's   
   the alarm:   
      
   First, this truck only had 2 owners before me, and the original guy   
   who purchased it new had everything put it in at the time of purchase   
   that was state of the art, at that time. This included a mobile phone   
   with antenna on the back window, wired to the dash... this was in   
   1991, mind you, when mobile phones were gigantic and rare. He had the   
   alarm system installed too, (if it did not come as an option), but he   
   did everything top of the line and the alarm has been in it from day   
   one. (This truck has power locks, and when I press the keyfob to lock   
   the truck, the alarm automatically engages.)   
      
   Now comes the part that might change your mind. :) I have owned the   
   truck since 2001, and during this time I have disconnected the battery   
   many times. A few times to change batteries, other times when I was   
   working on the truck and needed to disconnect the battery to do what I   
   was doing. Whenever I have disconnected the battery, the alarm   
   triggers as I am loosening the terminals (safety thing), then again as   
   I am reconnecting it (same deal). I DREAD having to disconnect the   
   battery for that reason.... the alarm is so darn loud. But the point   
   is, it has never given me a problem afterwards. The truck has always   
   started right up.   
      
   Also, when I parked the truck last (last time I drove it, when   
   everything was peachy), I parked it in my backyard, so I did not lock   
   it. Meaning the alarm was not engaged. Now weeks later, I walk out and   
   go to start it, and ... nothing. AND the battery did not die during   
   this period or even get weak b/c a solar panel was keeping it charged.   
      
   Nevertheless, when the truck would not start I wondered about the   
   alarm system just because I was trying to cover everything it might   
   be, so I threw the alarm's toggle switch and tried starting, but it   
   didn't make a diff. I put the toggle back. I also sat inside the truck   
   and put the alarm on, then took it off, and tried again.   
      
   So, I do not want to 'tear out the alarm' if it isn't the problem, as   
   it's a good alarm and has never caused me problems. And I have never   
   had to "reset it" after losing power.... but I guess it could have a   
   "state" I don't know about, though after 9 years of owning this truck   
   that would be a little surprising!   
      
   Do you guys still think it's the alarm, or does that scenario seem   
   less likely now?  (I really wish I could have elminated some things   
   today, but was helping my folks all day.)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)