Odd Behavior - OEM Alarm

[esjones]

I had locked my Vibe today, and so the factory alarm system was armed. I opened the rear liftgate with the key (NOT the keyless remote) and the alarm sounded! Really startled me! I quickly walked to the driver's door and unlocked that with the key to silence the alarm.Is this behavior normal? I would have thought that using the key would have disarmed the alarm system.One other thing having to do with keys.... I note that you can turn the key once in the driver's door lock to unlock the driver's door, and if you turn it TWICE, it unlocks all of the doors. Made me wonder... if this is an electric switch, are you locked out if your battery dies for some reason?

[mcgusto82]

i believe that most other OEM alarms are the same way. some even will sound off when you unlock the car with the correct key, and will require to turn the ignition switch to ON.plus i think the two front doors are the only ones that have a electric feedback which is what turns the alarm off.about the double pulse lock/unlock. no, you wouldn't be locked out.the primary function of the key unlock is to UNLOCK the door it's being used on. the secondary pulse is electronic to unlock the other doors.if you were to have a dead batery, you would just be able to unlock the door where you have the key at.

[Jahntassa]

1. Normal operating procedure. In order to unlock the car with the key while the alarm is armed, I believe you have to unlock either the driver or passenger door. Unlocking the rear hatch or liftgate with the key while the alarm is armed WILL set off the alarm.2. No. There's a switch in the key cylinder, yes, but you're physically unlocking the door when you turn the key the first time. It also sends a pulse to the car's computer telling it you unlocked the door. The second time you turn the key sends a second pulse which unlocks all the doors. No problem if the battery dies, you'll just only be able to unlock the one door.