Omega KeyCounter Passive Antitheft System User manual

COPYRIGHT:OMEGARESEARCH&DEVELOPMENT1999
Theft Protection You Can Count On!
Passive Antitheft System
OWNER'S MANUAL
includes installation instructions
Page - 3
About the KeyCounterTM
Congratulationsonyourchoosingthemostinnovativeanduser-friendlyantitheft
systemavailable. TheOmegaKeyCounterTM PassiveAntitheftSystemutilizesstate-
of-the-artRadioTranspondertechnologyincorporatedwiththepatentedunauthorized
controllerfeatureofATVTM.
WithyourKeyCountersystemyoureceivedaspecialkeyfob,or"disc", tobeused
withyourcar'skey. AfterKeyCounterisinstalled,everyignitionkeywhichwillbeused
tostartyourvehiclemusthaveitsowndiscattached. EachKeyCounterdisccontains
a"transponder",aminiatureradioreceiverandtransmitterdevice,whichcommuni-
cateswithacontrolunitinstalledinthevehicle. The KeyCounter control unit will
not allow the starter to engage unless it receives an authorized digitally-
encoded radio signal from your key fob disc.
WithKeyCounterinstalled, even a correctly-cut key will no longerstartyour car.
In everyday use, KeyCounter shows how many authorized discs, thus keys able to
start the car, are encoded into its memory. This is the "Active Transponder
Verification"feature,or"ATV". Tofurtherprotectagainsttampering,for48hoursafter
anydiscprogrammingactivity,thesystem'sstatuslightchangestoaneye-catching
multicoloreddisplayas a warning.
You will be surprised at KeyCounter's no-hassle, user-friendly design, serious
antitheftsecurity,andeaseofoperation. Thedisc/transpondershavenomovingparts,
need no batteries, and in use need no special actions by the user.
Thebest operating performance is ob-
tained by placing the KeyCounter disc
on your keys as shown: place your
ignitionkey only on the
disc's small ring, and
place the key ring
andremainingkeys
on the opposite
side of the disc.
Configuringthe
key fob disc in this
fashionorientsthe
transponder in
the disc to the
antenna and at
the same time
ensures that the
signalis not blocked
by the other keys.
Page - 2
LOCK
The operation of
the KeyCounter is
explained in detail
on page 4. The sys-
tem's antenna is typically
concealedbehindthesteer-
ing column trim panel.
COUNTER
KEY
Page - 4
EachKeyCountersystemincludestwokeyfobdiscs:aBlack"DailyUsedisc"and
aspecialRed"Programmingdisc". KeyCountercanhaveuptofourBlackDailyUse
discsprogrammedtooperateit,in addition to the one Red Programmingdisc. Asit
isrequiredtoprogramadditionalorreplacementdailyusediscstooperatethesystem,
the Red Programming disc should be kept in a safe place.
Additionaldailyusediscsarereadilyavailable,andtheRedProgrammingdisc,if
needed,maybeusedinanemergencyinplaceofaBlackDailyUsedisc. Iftheoriginal
Redkeyfobislost,thesystem'scontrolmodulemustthenbereturnedtothefactory
forreprogramming. TheKeyCounteralsohastwoothercomponentswhichinvolvethe
user's interaction: a system Status Light and a Valet /Override Switch.
These are typically mounted in a small housing within sight and reach of the driver.
No special action is required to engage, or disengage, the KeyCounter
system. Upon turning the ignition switchoff,thestartercircuitwillautomaticallybe
immobilized20secondslater. This20secondperiodisindicatedbytheStatusLight
illuminating Orange. When the 20 second period expires, the starter circuit is
immobilized, as indicated by the Status Light changing to flash Red once every
second. TheStatusLightwillflashRedatalltimeswhilethestarterimmobilizercircuit
isengaged,as bothanindicatorofthe system'simmobilizedstarterstatusand also
as a visual theft deterrent. While the KeyCounter is in this state, the engine
Using the KeyCounterTM

Page - 5
cannotbestarted;ifanattemptismadetostartthevehicle,thestarterwillsimplynot
operate. Any such failed starting attempt will result in the Status Light illuminating
solid Red as soon as the ignition switch is turned to the "on" or "run" position. This
servesasawarningofthe no-start condition, and also to indicatethatthesystemis
intheprocessof"seeking"anauthorizedkeyfobdisc. Pleasenotethataninstallation
optionallowsfor the vehicle'sdomelightcircuittoinitiate the KeyCounter'sseeking
ofthe disc; ifsotheStatusLightchangesfromflashingRedto solidRedas soonas
thedooris opened. Inthiscase,the exchangeofthedigital signalbetweenthedisc
andtheKeyCounteroccursmuchfaster;typicallybeforethekeyiseveninsertedinto
the ignition switch.
However, when a starting attempt is made with an authorized key fob disc, the
StatusLightwillchangefromflashingRedtoaflashingofGreenfor10seconds(except
during the ATV warning period- see page xx). When the Status Light changes to
flashingGreen, it is important to note thatthe KeyCounter is actually indicating two
conditions:
First, the starter circuit is no longer immobilized, and the engine can be started.
Second, note that the Green flashes occur as a series of flashes between pauses.
This is the ATV operation; the number of flashes is the number active
transponder discs, hence keys, which are able to successfully start the vehicle.
Tosummarizethe KeyCounter'sbasicoperationand indications:
Tobetter understand Active Transponder Verification (ATV), considerthat your
system includes two discs- the Red Programming and Black Daily Use discs.
Therefore, every time the ignition switch is turned on, and the exchange occurs
betweenthediscandtheKeyCounter,theStatusLightchangesfromsolidRedtotwo
Green flashes between pauses for a 10 second period. The two Green flashes
representthetwodiscs;ifforexampleanextraBlackDailyUsewasadded,theGreen
flasheswouldbethreetimesbetweenpauses. AstheKeyCountercanhaveasmany
as four Black Daily Use discs in addition to the Red Programming disc, ATV
couldbeasmany as five Green flashes between pauses.
Solid Orange Status Light indicates that the KeyCounter is in the automatic
process of immobilizing the starter.
Flashing Red Status Light indicates that the starter is immobilized.
Solid Red StatusLightindicatesthattheKeyCounterisseekingatransponder
disc and the starter is still immobilized.
Flashing Green between pauses Status Light indicates that the KeyCounter has
detectedthepresenceofanauthorizedtransponderdisc,andthe
vehiclecanbe started.
ATVTM Warning
Forthefirst48hoursaftertheKeyCounterisinstalled,orfor48hoursafteranykey
fobdiscprogrammingactivity,theStatusLightwillhaveadifferentoperationwhenthe
ignition switch is turned on, and the disc/control unit exchange occurs. During this
initialperiod,theATVdisplayisextendedto90seconds,andtheGreenflashesare
against a Red background color. Thiseye-catchingdisplayisawarningthatkey
fob disc programming activity has recently taken place.
ATV, or Active Transponder Verification, is an exclusive patented feature. Al-
though similar antitheft systems are available, even as factory-equipped systems,
only KeyCounter indicates how keys can actually start your vehicle.
Your KeyCounter system includes a push-button Valet/Override Switch. This
switchcanbelocatedonthe bottom of an included Status Light and Valet/Override
Switchcombinationholder;or,theinstallerhastheoptionofmountingitinahidden,
but accessible location. The Valet/Override Switch, used in conjunction with the
ignition key, may be used to override the system by placing it in Valet Mode should
theKeyCounterdiscbecomelostorstolen. AslongasthesystemisinValetMode,
the automatic engagement of the system will not occur. Therefore, in addition
to providing an emergency override function, Valet Mode is used to prevent the
KeyCounter'sautomaticengagementduring times when it may not be desired.
System Override and Valet Mode
Page - 7
Page - 6
To place the system into Valet Mode, which will also permit the starting of the
vehiclewithouthavinga key fobdiscpresent,performthefollowing steps:
1) Enter the vehicle; the system is engaged, as indicated by a flashing Red Status
Light. If the door detection circuit is connected, the Status Light will change to
solidRed whenthedoor isopened. Ifnot, theStatusLight remainsflashinguntil
thefollowingstep.
2) Use the ignition key to turn the ignition switch on. The Status Light will change
tosolidRed(ifnotalreadysolidRedfromthedoordetectioncircuit)indicatingthat
systemis activelyseekingakey fobdisc. Whenthe StatusLightissolidRedthe
vehicle will not start.
3) Press the Valet/Override Switch 3 times. The Status Light will briefly change to
solidOrangebeforeextinguishingcompletely. ThesystemisnowinValetMode,
andthevehicle maybestarted. Asan indicatorofValetMode, whentheignition
switch is turned off, and while it is off, the Status Light will be solid Green.
The system is now in Valet Mode, and the starter interrupt circuit no longer
engagesautomatically every time that the ignitionswitch is turned off. Please note
thatifthevehiclewillbeleftwithsomeone,anditisdesiredtoplacethesysteminto
ValetMode, simply allow thesystem to engage, thenperform the System Override
to obtain Valet Mode. Page - 8

TheKeyCountersystemwillstayinValetModeuntilitisremovedfromValetMode.
To remove the system from Valet Mode, turn the ignition switch on, then press and
holdthe Valet/Override Switch. The Status Light willbriefly illuminate Orange, and
thengoout. Normaloperationwillnowresume:turningofftheignitionswitchresults
in the Status Light illuminating solid Orange for 20 seconds indicating impending
engagement,thenchangingtoflashingRedindicatingthatthestarterisimmobilized.
WhiletheStatusLightissolidGreenthevehiclecanstillbestarted. Onceitchanges
toflashing Red, the vehicle cannot be started.
How to Program KeyCounterTM Key Fob Discs
Each KeyCounter system comes from the factory with two key fob discs. The
Blackdiscisfor"DailyUse",andtheReddisc,whichisaspecialdisc. TheReddisc
isusedfor"Programming",butinanemergencycanbeusedinplaceoftheDailyUse
disc. As the Red disc is essential to programming the KeyCounter, it should
be kept in a secure place. If the original Red key fob is lost, only by returning the
controlmoduletothefactorycan itbere-configuredfor programming.
KeyCountercanhaveuptofourBlackDailyUsediscsprogrammedtooperateit,
in addition to the one Red Programming disc. Additional Black Daily Use discs are
readily available, and adding extra or replacement discs is not difficult. Before
beginningprogramming,havetheRedProgrammingdiscathandalongwithallBlack
Daily Use discs which are to operate the system.
Page - 9
Someimportantthingsnotetobeforebeginningtheprogrammingprocedure:
- When additional Daily Use discs are added, any original disc(s) must also be
reprogrammed. Havealldiscsathand,butawayfromsteeringcolumn(inwhich
the KeyCounter's antenna is typically mounted; see note on next page).
- Beforestarting,temporarilyremovetheBlackDailyUsediscfromtheignitionkey,
orusean extrakeythatdoesnot haveadiscattached. Whenthe ignitionswitch
is turned on in step 2, a disc must not be close to the antenna.
- Onceprogramminghasstarted,eachsuccessivestepmustbeperformedwithin
10secondsofthe previous step.
Programming procedure:
1) Whilethesystemisinanarmedstate(flashingRedStatusLight),pressandhold
theValet/Override Switch; the Status Light changesto flashing Green.
2) Turntheignitionswitch"on";theStatusLightchangestosolidRed. Nowrelease
theValet/OverrideSwitch.
3) Present the Red Programming disc to the antenna; the Status Light changes to
solidOrange.
4) Turn the ignition switch off; the Status Light changes to solid Red.
5) AgainpresenttheRedProgrammingdisctotheantenna;theStatusLightwillgo
outmomentarilytoindicatethedisc's codeisretainedas theProgrammingdisc.
The Status Light returns to solid Red.
6) Now present the first Black Daily Use to the antenna; the Status Light will
momentarily go out, then return to solid Red.
7) Repeat the previous step for each additional Black Daily Use disc.
After10secondsofnofurtherdiscpresentations,theStatusLightwillchangefrom
solidRedtosolidOrange,whichindicatestheexitfromprogrammingmodeandthe
startofthenormalengagementprocess. Ifallfivecodeslotsarefilled,i.e.-oneRed
disc and 5 Black discs, the Status Light's change from Red to Orange will occur as
soon as the fifth disc is presented.
Note:
TheKeyCountersystemhasaspecialantennawhichisdesignedtobemounted
behind the steering column trim panel, below the ignition switch. If the vehicle's
steeringcolumnstructureallowsoptimalantennaplacement,whenthetransponder
discisplacedwithinapproximatelythreeinchesoftheantenna,theradio transmis-
sionsbetweenthediscandcontrolmodulearemadeandthevehicleisallowedtostart.
If the door circuit wire is connected, the radio transmissions will occur as the key is
being inserted into the switch. Page - 11
Page - 10
Installation
TheKeyCounterTM systemincludesthefollowing:
qTheKeyCounterControlModule.
qTwo transponder discs: a Red Programming disc and a Black Daily Use disc.
qA main wiring harness, with Starter Interrupt socket and relay.
qAcirculartransmit/receiveantenna.
qA two-color Status Light.
qAValet/OverrideSwitch.
qAno-drillmountingcombinationholderfor theprevioustwoitems.
qThisOwner'sManual and installationinstructionsmanual. Afterinstallationand
testing, please place this manual in a conspicuous location within the vehicle.
Due to the sophisticated computerization and the presence of air
bag safety systems, all contemporary vehicles present many hazards to
the installer. Persons lacking proper training and experience can
not only damage the vehicle but suffer serious personal injury.
The KeyCounterTM is designed for professional installation!
Page - 12

KeyCounterTM Wiring Diagram
Fuse
Valet/Override Switch
and Status Light
in Combination Holder
Transmit/
Receive
Antenna
The Antenna Housing is removable,
allowing the Antenna's coil only to be installed
Green Status Light Port
Blue Valet/Override Switch Port
White Antenna Port
Main Connector Port
Red wire-
Constant (+) 12 volts
Black wire-
To (-) Chassis
ground
Gray wire-
(+) or (-) "wake-up"
circuit
Yellow wire-
Ignition (+) 12 volts
Orangewire
Starter Interrupt
socket and relay
Starter Ignition switch
White Red
Page - 13
Wiring Instructions
Wiring Connections
Auniversalmainharnessisincluded. Using this harness will require cutting the
vehicle'sstarterwire,andsplice-connectionoftheignitionandbatterypowercircuits.
AvailableasanoptionalpartfromOmegaistheQuickInterConnectHarness,which
isdesignedvehicle-specificandinstallsbypluggingdirectlyintothevehicle'sexisting
wiringharnesses.
Regardless, it is recommended that the (-) ground connection be made first,
followed by plugging the 5-way harness connector into the KeyCounter control
module. The remaining electrical connections are then made according to the
following instructions (or those supplied with the Quick InterConnect Harness, if
used). Themountingofthecontrolmoduleisoneofthelaststeps performed in the
installation.
BlackWire: (-)ChassisGround
Thiswiresupplieschassisgroundfortheunit'soperation. ConnecttheBlackwire
to the metal frame of the vehicle, preferably using an existing machine-threaded
fastenerandthepropersizeringterminal. MakesurethattheBlackwire'sringterminal
has contact with bright, clean metal. If necessary, scrape any paint, rust or grease
away from the connection point until the metal is bright and clean. A good ground
connectionisessentialforproperoperation.
Red Wire: (+) 12 Volt Constant Power
Thiswiresuppliesconstant(+)12volts fortheunit'soperation. Thiswiremusthave
(+) 12 volts at all times. The recommended connection for the Red wire is to the
constant (+) 12 volt supply wire at the ignition switch harness.
Yellow Wire: (+) Ignition Power
Thiswiresupplies(+)12voltstotheunitwhenevertheignitionswitchisturned"on".
Thisconnectionshouldbemadeattheignitionswitchharness,totheprimaryignition
circuit. Primary ignition has 0 volts when the ignition key is in the "Lock", "Off" and
"Accessory" positions; and 12 volts in the "Run" and "Start" positions.
Gray Wire: (+) or (-) "Wake-up" Circuit
The KeyCounter emits RF energy to activate the transponder inside the key fob
disc. Thisemissiononlyoccursfora30secondperiodupontheignitionswitchbeing
turned"on" (asindicatedbyasteadyRedStatusLight). Thisoperationreducesthe
parasiticcurrent drawonthevehicle'sbatterywellbelowacceptablespecifications.
Thecurrentdrawofthesystemwhilearmedandatrestislessthan10milliamps;the
currentdrawduringthe30secondRFemissionperiodisapproximately250milliamps.
This wire activates the 30 second RF emission period; the activation occurs
whenever the vehicle's wire changes polarity. In this regard, the Gray wire can be
connected to the vehicle's circuit without concern as to the switching polarity of the
host circuit.
Page - 15
Page - 14
Suggested connection points of the Gray wire are to the vehicle's courtesy light
circuit or the key-in-ignition switch circuit; the later must be configured to operate
regardlessofwhetherthedriver'sdoorisopenorclosed. Afinalpointfortheinstaller
to note is that while this circuit is not absolutely needed for the KeyCounter's
operation,itsconnectionvastlyimprovesthesystem'sperformance.
Red and White Wires: Starter Interrupt Connections
Thestarterdisablesocketandrelay,alreadyonthewiringharness,isconnected
byanOrange wire to the control module. This starter interruptiswhat prevents the
vehicle from starting, and will automatically engage 20 seconds after the ignition
switch is turned off (unless the system is in Valet Mode).
TheuseofanOmegaQuickInterConnectHarnessishighlyrecommended;asit
allowsthe installationoftheKeyCountersystemwithno,orminimum,alterations to
the vehicle's factory wiring. To interrupt the vehicle's starter circuit without using a
Quick InterConnect Harness, the starter wire must be located and cut. It is
recommendedthatthisconnectionbedoneasclosetotheignitionswitchaspossible.
Use a voltmeter, not a test light, to find the correct wire, which is the wire from the
ignition switch to the starter solenoid. CAUTION! Avoid the airbag circuit!
Improper use of a test light can cause deployment of the airbag, which may
result in bodily injury! Test lights can also damage on-board computers and
associated sensors. ThestarterwirewillreadPositive12Voltsonly whenignition
key is in "start" position (cranking the engine). Cut this wire at a suitable location.
Confirmthatthisisthecorrectwirebyturningtheignitionswitchtothe"start"position;
Page - 16

thestartershouldnotengage. Connecttheoptionalstarterdisablesocket'sRedwire
to the ignition switch side, and its White wire to the starter solenoid side. Be sure
that good, solid electrical connections are made, as this generally is a high
amperage circuit.
30
86 87a 85
87
KeyCounter
Control
Unit
Cutting the vehicle's
Starter wire will Leave
two sides- the Ignition
Switch side and the Starter
side
Starter
Starter Interrupt
White Wire
to the Starter side
of the cut
Starter Interrupt
Red Wire to the
Ignition Switch
side of the cut
Ignition
Switch
Orange Wire
Page - 17
Before firmly mounting the antenna, test the operation of the KeyCounter
for good range performance. Once the antenna is mounted, carefully route the
antenna'swiringharnesstotheControlModule,andplugitsWhiteconnectorintothe
KeyCountercontrolmodule'sWhiteport. Whenroutingthewiringharnessdown
the steering column, ensure that all moving parts, such as the steering shaft
or gear select linkage, will not be affected or impaired.
It is not necessary to adjust the antenna, and there is no provision for any type
antennaadjustment. Iftheantennaiscorrectlymountedintheproperlocation,range
betweenthetransponderdisc and antenna willbemostadequate.
The Status Light and Valet/Override Switch
The Status Light and Valet/Override Switch are enclosed in a "no drilling"
CombinationHolderwhichmaybeadheredtothedesiredmountinglocation(prepare
themountingareawithaninteriorpanel-safecleaningsolvent). Thelocationselected
should be easily visible to the vehicle's operator, and also to persons outside the
vehicleasatheftdeterrentmeasure. Desirablelocationsincludeanyoverhangofthe
instrument panel, which also provide hidden routing of the Status Light and Valet/
OverrideSwitchwirestotheControlModule. PlugtheStatusLight'sGreenconnector
intotheKeyCountercontrolmodule'sGreenportandplugtheValet/OverrideSwitch's
Blue connector into the module's Blue port.
IftheStatusLightandValet/OverrideSwitchcombinationholderisnotutilized,be
surethat the vehicle owner is shownthe location of the Valet/Override Switch.
The Antenna, Status Light and Valet/Override Switch
The Transmit/Receive Antenna
TheKeyCounter'santennainstallationiscriticaltothesystem'sperformanceand
operation. The ideal location is mounted behind the steering column trim panel,
closely below the ignition switch (see the diagram on page 2). In this location, it is
morelikelythateverydayoperationwillrequirenoconsciousactiononthepartofthe
user. However, there are some vehicles which may not allow the placement of the
antenna in the optimum location by the ignition switch. In these situations, the
system'santennawillbemountedbehindadifferentdashorinteriorpanel,andthekey
fob disc will have to be presented to this area before the vehicle can be started.
It is also important to firmly mount the antenna. If movement of the antenna is
allowed,operationalperformancewillvary. Severalmountingmethodsareallowable.
A screw or nut and bolt may be used in the central mounting tab; silicone adhesive
maybeusedtogluetheantennaassemblybehindatrimpanel. Usingtape,wireties,
orwedgingtheantennaisnotrecommended,asanychangeintheantenna'sposition
willaffectthe system's performance.
If desired, the antenna coil may be removed from the round plastic housing; the
housing can be pried apart and discarded, so that the smaller antenna coil by itself
canbeinstalled. Thisisoptionismostdesirablewherespaceisatapremiumwithin
thesteeringcolumnhousing,butitisimportanttofirmlymountitsothattheround
shape is retained.
Page - 19
Page - 18
L I M I T E D L I F E T I M E W A R R A N T Y
Products manufactured and sold by OMEGA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, INC. (the Company), are
warrantedto befree from defectsin materialsand workmanshipunder normal use. Ifa productsold bytheCompany
provestobedefective, the Companywillrepairorreplace itfreeofchargewithin the firstyearand thereafterallparts
to be repaired will be free with only a nominal charge for Omega Research and Development, Inc.'s labor and return
shipping, to the original owner during the lifetime of the car in which it was originally installed.
All products for warranty repair must be sent postage prepaid to Omega Research & Development, Inc., P.O.
Box508,Douglasville,Georgia30133,withbillofsaleorotherdatedproofofpurchase.Thiswarrantyisnontransferable
anddoes not applyto anyproductdamaged byaccident,physical orelectricalmisuse orabuse, improper installation,
alteration,any use contraryto its intended function, unauthorizedservice, fire, flood,lightning, or other acts ofGod.
This warranty limits the Company's liability to the repair or replacement of the product. The Company shall
not be responsible for removal and/or reinstallation charges, damage to or theft of the vehicle or its contents, or any
incidentalorconsequentialdamagescausedbyanyfailureorallegedfailureoftheproducttofunctionproperly.Under
NoCircumstancesShouldThisWarranty,OrTheProductCoveredByIt,BeConstruedAsAGuaranteeOrInsurance
PolicyAgainstLoss.TheCompanyneitherassumesnorauthorizesanypersonororganizationtomakeanyWarranties
or assume any liability in connection with the sale, installation, or use of this product.
ThisdevicecomplieswithFCCRulespart15.Operationissubjecttothefollowingtwo
conditions,(1)Thisdevicemay not cause harmful interferenceand,(2)Thisdevice
mustacceptany interference thatmaybereceived,including interferencethatmay
causeundesiredoperation.
The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by
unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the
user'sauthorityto operate theequipment. MA_KEYCOUNTER