➤ Car alarm Starline A6 - detailed description

Characteristics of Starline A6

The main functions of the A6 are two-way communication and an interactive encryption code, which does not give attackers a chance to intercept the code and disarm the car without the owner’s knowledge.

In addition, Starline A6 has the following capabilities:

control using 2 key fobs (one with a display, the other without);
signal range up to 1200 m in receiving mode and 600 m during control;
controlled channels for connecting additional equipment;
engine blocking using a relay;
parking search mode;
“Anti-robbery” mode;
silent security;
memory of settings, which resumes them after a power outage;
owner's personal PIN code for emergency shutdown;
disabling the shock sensor when the security system is running and much more.

The alarm is also available in the Starline twage a6 modification, which features even more reliable protection using an improved dialogue code.

Twage a6 car alarm capabilities

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Twage A6

Car alarm capabilities

Protected areas of the car and methods of protecting them

· Engine – from starting (locking relay) · Doors, hood, trunk – from opening (push-button switches) · Body, wheels, windows – from shocks and shocks (two-level shock sensor) · Ignition – from switching on

Car alarm security

· Dynamic control code, protected from selection and interception · Limitation of the number of alarm cycles · Interruption of alarms without disabling the security mode · Memorizing the state when the power is turned off and returning to the same state

when power is restored Personal emergency shutdown code

Protective functions of car alarms

· Turn on sound and light alarms when sensors are triggered

in security mode · Submission of alarm signals to the key fob with LCD display · Remote activation of the "panic" mode · Immobilizer mode · Anti-robbery mode, activated remotely by the key fob · Anti-robbery mode, activated by a special button · Engine blocking and its preservation when dismantling the alarm

Self-diagnosis and indication of operating modes

· Indication of alarm status by LED and on the key fob display · Indication of the reason for the last alarm activation for 6 security zones · Indication of a faulty zone when the security mode is turned on · Sound indication of the fact that the alarm was triggered · Automatic control of security sensors with disabling of faulty ones

and a message about it · Indication of open doors when the security mode is turned off · LED indication of the serviceability of limit switches when

ignition on

Equipment and cost of A6

The alarm kit includes:

keychain with LCD display;
additional key fob without screen;
shock sensor with two levels of response;
central block processor in a plastic case;
antenna module;
led indicator;
service (emergency) button;
hood (trunk) switch;
instruction manual with connection diagrams;
wires, terminals and plugs for installation.

The A6 kit does not include a siren, so you will have to buy it separately. You can also use the bell from the previous alarm if it is installed on the car.

At this time, the manufacturer has discontinued the Starline A6 twage car alarm, replacing it with new, more modern modifications. During the period of active sales, its price fluctuated between 50-55 dollars.

Twage a6, Purpose of additional key fob buttons

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Twage A6

Button 1 • On/off security with confirmation sounds Button 2 • Search mode (0.5 sec) • Panic mode (3 sec) Button 3 • Channel 3 (0.5 sec) • Trunk unlocking (3 sec) Button 4 • On/off silent security (0.5 sec) • Channel 2 (3 sec) Buttons 1+3 • Disabling the sensor by levels Buttons 1+4 • Valet service mode Buttons 3+4 • Anti-robbery mode (ignition on) • Recording key fob in programming mode

The four-button open-loop key fob uses a lithium cell

power supply CR2032, 3B. Battery operating time depends on frequency

use of the key fob and the type of battery installed. To replace the battery, unscrew the screw on the back of the key fob and open the cover.

Remove the old battery and install a new one in its place, observing the polarity.

Then close the key fob cover and tighten the fixing screw.

Replacing the main key fob battery is performed in the following order: 1. Open the cover on the back of the key fob and remove the old battery. 2. Briefly press button 1 of the key fob. 3. Install the new battery, observing the correct polarity, and close the cover.

(The correct position of the battery is indicated on the key fob body under the cover). 4. After replacing the battery, adjust the clock and alarm readings.

Re-programming of button 1 of the key fob is not required.

Purpose of the additional key fob buttons

Button 1

Button 2

Button 3

Button 4

Advantages and disadvantages of Starline A6

Advantages	Flaws
Affordable price. With a fairly wide functionality, the alarm was relatively inexpensive.	Remote control with antenna. A car alarm key fob with a protruding antenna can be inconvenient and unattractive.
Easy to install. A detailed car alarm diagram is included with each kit, and almost every car enthusiast can install it.	Low resistance to radio interference. The small number of channels through which the signal is transmitted may not be able to cope with high-quality transmission in a large city.
Availability of two-way communication. The response to the key fob significantly reduces the risk of theft or car theft.	Lack of online monitoring and control from a mobile phone.
Quite a large range of the key fob. In control mode, the radius of the remote control often even exceeds that declared by the manufacturer.	Lack of connection to the car's digital buses. It is more convenient and reliable to connect modern alarm systems via digital CAN or LIN buses, which is not available in the A6 functionality.
Dialogue code. Does not allow attackers to use special devices to intercept signals and open the car.	No autostart. Pre-heating the engine is a mandatory comfort feature in modern security systems.

What is the Valet button and what is it for?

StarLine service button is a device for controlling security alarm functions, which is used in the following cases:

Switching to Valet mode allows service employees to work with the car, but at the same time prevents their attempts to make changes to the car alarm settings. Or attach additional key fobs to this security system. However, modern StarLine anti-theft systems have a simpler and more convenient method of transferring a personal car into service mode, carried out using a key fob.
The Valet key is used to change car alarm settings and reset the security system to factory settings. Until recently, the service button was the only way to configure car alarm functions. But today, to perform this operation, a laptop is increasingly used, which is connected to the StarLine complex via a USB connection.
Using the Valet button, the car owner will be able to unlock the security system and turn off the alarm even in the event of a malfunction or loss of the key fob.
Pressing and holding the service button for 2 seconds allows you to activate the anti-theft function and prevent car theft. This mode can only be activated when the engine is running, and to deactivate it you will need a personal unlock code.

What does the Valet button look like?

The Valet button is a small device (allows it to be placed in hidden places) with an electrical wire that connects it to the main unit of the security complex.

Video: what types of Jack buttons exist

The author of the video is Sigmax69.

Where is the Valet button?

The place where the Jack key is hidden depends on both the device configuration and the car alarm model.

Service button as a separate node

This design option is considered classic and is typical for both old and new StarLine models, for example:

The most common locations for the Valet button are:

under the dashboard;
near the mounting block;
under the steering wheel;
near the gear shift lever;
in the glove compartment;
in the fuse hatch.

Photo gallery: where to put the Jack button

Built-in Jack key

In this case, the button may be connected, for example, to an antenna module, which is why it can be confused with a call key. To prevent this from happening, usually in modern StarLine alarms both buttons can be combined into one with a combination of functions.

This is possible in Starline security systems of the following models with firmware no older than N2:

Table: where the Starline service button is located depending on the alarm model

Starline model	Valet button location
E90	In the glove compartment or under the dashboard
A91	Under the instrument panel or near the gearshift lever
A92	Side of the dashboard
A93	On the floor of the car next to the front passenger seat
A94	On the floor of the vehicle near the pedals
A61	Close to the gearshift lever

Alarm malfunctions A6. How to fix it yourself

Characteristic “diseases” of Starline A6 are:

clouding of the key fob glass;
sticking of buttons on the remote control;
loss of connection with the signal receiver;
sensitivity to radio interference.

Let's look at each malfunction separately and how to deal with them:

Loss of transparency of the key fob glass. Buttons falling through.

How to deal with it: at a service center you can replace both the entire remote control and its individual parts.

Lost connection with the central module.

It is necessary to re-register the key fob in the alarm memory. The operating instructions for the A6 describe step by step how this is done.

Poor performance under strong radio interference.

This flaw cannot be corrected. The driver can only try not to leave the vehicle in places with heavy radio traffic.

Opinions of car owners about the work of Starline A6

Positive	Negative
Reliable, time-tested alarm system. Working properly since 2009. There were no glitches in the process. The keychain, of course, has lost its appearance a little, but after so many years this is not surprising.	Of course, it brings some benefit, but it is unlikely to save you from serious robbers. It is very easy to intercept the signal of such a “security”; even a student can handle it. My friend’s car was recently cleaned out; Starline was also there. The Singal woman didn't even make a sound. They are not very reliable.
StarLine TWAGE A6 is inexpensive and good protection for a car. I installed it myself, fortunately the instructions are quite clear and made for people. The entire installation of the car alarm took half a day (my brother and I did it together). We connected the door locks so that they could be opened from the remote control as expected, and the trunk locks. It still works well to this day. It performs all functions; if something happens, it screams loudly and the remote control beeps. Very convenient and practical, I don't need anything more.	I have an A6 on Lanos. They installed it in the showroom when I bought the car. I can say that it does not always obey the key fob well, sometimes the settings get lost. If there are any obstacles nearby, it is very difficult to open the car. And recently there was a case: I locked my car with the key in the evening, I opened it in the morning, and the alarm went off. I don't understand how this can be? Based on my experience, I would not recommend the starline a6 to anyone.
Although old, but reliable! In 5 years of operation it has never failed. It actually has a lot of possibilities, but most people just don’t need them in everyday life. For example, I only use open-close, I reduced the sensitivity of the sensor several times when there was a construction site near my work and there was a lot of noise, so the alarm was constantly going off. With this mode of operation, it seems that the A6 can last forever.	Very old and outdated alarm system. It was initially not very successful; it is better to buy an A9 with auto start. Some functions, such as trunk release, do not work at all. After a year of use, the glass on the remote control flew out, even though no one dropped it. During severe frosts it always malfunctions, does not open or close the doors. You have to stand in the cold for several minutes to remove the security. I'm thinking about a replacement, I just need to choose a company. I definitely won’t buy Starline.
It has been on the Chevrolet Lacetti since its purchase in 2007. I'm pleased with the feedback function and good reception range. The alarm is excellent, works like a clock. I recommend to everyone!	There are frequent failures. This alarm has let me down several times. The screen got worn out very quickly, nothing is visible, the buttons are pressed spontaneously and change programs. False positives are also present. I recommend NOT buying this alarm!
Alarm with feedback. If it works, the key fob immediately starts blinking and making sounds. The connection with the machine can be checked using a special button. There are a lot of useful functions, there is even an engine lock, which can be activated from a button and from the remote control. The connection diagram is very simple, you can connect it yourself and save on installer services	There are very few functions that are needed, but there are a whole bunch of unnecessary ones. It is very difficult to control them, the key fob is extremely inconvenient. To perform one operation, you need to press many times. The A6 is generally not suitable for modern cars, as the car will be stolen at once.

Does A6 perform its security functions?

The Starline A6 alarm system is quite old and has not been produced by the manufacturer for a long time. Owners of cars equipped with this system have a question: is this alarm capable of providing full protection or is it time to think about replacing it with a newer model?

Starline A6, which is in good technical condition, has feedback. It is able to warn the owner about:

attempting to open the doors, trunk or hood;
broken glass (the shock sensor will be activated);
loss of connection with the central unit.

The dialog signal code resists hacking using simple code grabbers. The built-in engine lock will prevent the car from being stolen, even if someone managed to get inside. Taking all this into account, we can say that A6 in most cases is able to prevent blatant attempts by intruders.

At the same time, an outdated encryption scheme and an easily detectable blocking relay will not be able to cope with the actions of professional hijackers. The alarm will also be insensitive if the car is carefully jacked up and stolen with the help of a tow truck, since it does not have a tilt relay.

Conclusion

Based on this, we can conclude that the Starline A6 car alarm can only partially provide security, and it is advisable to replace it with a newer one at the first opportunity.

Programming security and service functions Starline

The Valet key, along with the key fob, is used to program the main functions of the anti-theft complex, both security and service. In some cases, the Starline Master program for computers is additionally used. In particular, with the help of Master, the firmware is updated.

Each option has its own code, which can be found in the user manual that comes with the system. To program a function, you must first enable the appropriate mode, Service Mode. To do this, use the control panel menu - selecting the wrench icon using the cursor and pressing it with the third key on the key fob.