Omega KeyCounter User's Manual

Theft Protection You Can Count On!

Passive Antitheft System

OWNER'S MANUAL

includes installation instructions

COPYRIGHT: OMEGA RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 1999

About the KeyCounter

Congratulations on your choosing the most innovative and user-friendly antitheft
system available. The Omega KeyCounterTM Passive Antitheft System utilizes state­of-the-art Radio Transponder technology incorporated with the patented unauthorized
controller feature of ATVTM.

With your KeyCounter system you received a special key fob, or "disc", to be used
with your car's key. After KeyCounter is installed, every ignition key which will be used
to start your vehicle must have its own disc attached. Each KeyCounter disc contains
a "transponder", a miniature radio receiver and transmitter device, which communi­cates with a control unit installed in the vehicle. The KeyCounter control unit will

not allow the starter to engage unless it receives an authorized digitally­encoded radio signal from your key fob disc.

With KeyCounter installed, even a correctly-cut key will no longer start your 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". To further protect against tampering, for 48 hours after
any disc programming activity, the system's status light changes to an eye-catching
multicolored display as a warning.

You will be surprised at KeyCounter's no-hassle, user-friendly design, serious
antitheft security, and ease of operation. The disc/transponders have no moving parts,
need no batteries, and in use need no special actions by the user.

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TM

The best operating performance is ob­tained by placing the KeyCounter disc
on your keys as shown: place your

ignition key only on the

LOCK

disc's small ring, and

place the key ring

and remaining keys
on the opposite
side of the disc.

KEY

COUNTER

Configuring the
key fob disc in this
fashion orients the

The operation of
the KeyCounter is

explained in detail

on page 4. The sys­ tem's antenna is typically
concealed behind the steer­ing column trim panel.

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Each KeyCounter system includes two key fob discs: a Black "Daily Use disc" and
a special Red "Programming disc". KeyCounter can have up to four Black Daily Use
discs programmed to operate it, in addition to the one Red Programming disc. As it
is required to program additional or replacement daily use discs to operate the system,
the Red Programming disc should be kept in a safe place.

Additional daily use discs are readily available, and the Red Programming disc, if
needed, may be used in an emergency in place of a Black Daily Use disc. If the original
Red key fob is lost, the system's control module must then be returned to the factory
for reprogramming. The KeyCounter also has two other components which involve the
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.

Using the KeyCounter

No special action is required to engage, or disengage, the KeyCounter
system. Upon turning the ignition switch off, the starter circuit will automatically be

immobilized 20 seconds later. This 20 second period is indicated by the Status Light
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. The Status Light will flash Red at all times while the starter immobilizer circuit
is engaged, as both an indicator of the system's immobilized starter status and also
as a visual theft deterrent. While the KeyCounter is in this state, the engine

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transponder in

the disc to the

antenna and at

the same time

ensures that the
signal is not blocked
by the other keys.

TM

cannot be started; if an attempt is made to start the vehicle, the starter will simply not
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
serves as a warning of the no-start condition, and also to indicate that the system is
in the process of "seeking" an authorized key fob disc. Please note that an installation
option allows for the vehicle's dome light circuit to initiate the KeyCounter's seeking
of the disc; if so the Status Light changes from flashing Red to solid Red as soon as
the door is opened. In this case, the exchange of the digital signal between the disc
and the KeyCounter occurs much faster; typically before the key is even inserted into
the ignition switch.

However, when a starting attempt is made with an authorized key fob disc, the
Status Light will change from flashing Red to a flashing of Green for 10 seconds (except
during the ATV warning period- see page xx). When the Status Light changes to
flashing Green, it is important to note that the 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.

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To summarize the KeyCounter's basic operation and indications:

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 Status Light indicates that the KeyCounter is seeking a transponder

disc and the starter is still immobilized.

Flashing Green between pauses Status Light indicates that the KeyCounter has

detected the presence of an authorized transponder disc, and the
vehicle can be started.

To better understand Active Transponder Verification (ATV), consider that 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
between the disc and the KeyCounter, the Status Light changes from solid Red to two
Green flashes between pauses for a 10 second period. The two Green flashes
represent the two discs; if for example an extra Black Daily Use was added, the Green
flashes would be three times between pauses. As the KeyCounter can have as many
as four Black Daily Use discs in addition to the Red Programming disc, ATV
could be as many as five Green flashes between pauses.

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ATVTM Warning

For the first 48 hours after the KeyCounter is installed, or for 48 hours after any key
fob disc programming activity, the Status Light will have a different operation when the
ignition switch is turned on, and the disc/control unit exchange occurs. During this
initial period, the ATV display is extended to 90 seconds, and the Green flashes are
against a Red background color. This eye-catching display is a warning that key
fob disc programming activity has recently taken place.

ATV, or Active Transponder Verification, is an exclusive patented feature. Al­though similar antitheft systems are available, even as factory-equipped systems,
only KeyCounter indicates how keys can actually start your vehicle.

System Override and Valet Mode

Your KeyCounter system includes a push-button Valet/Override Switch. This
switch can be located on the bottom of an included Status Light and Valet/Override
Switch combination holder; or, the installer has the option of mounting it in a hidden,
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
the KeyCounter disc become lost or stolen. As long as the system is in Valet Mode,
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's automatic engagement during times when it may not be desired.

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To place the system into Valet Mode, which will also permit the starting of the

vehicle without having a key fob disc present, perform the following 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
solid Red when the door is opened. If not, the Status Light remains flashing until
the following step.

2) Use the ignition key to turn the ignition switch on. The Status Light will change
to solid Red (if not already solid Red from the door detection circuit) indicating that
system is actively seeking a key fob disc. When the Status Light is solid Red the
vehicle will not start.

3) Press the Valet/Override Switch 3 times. The Status Light will briefly change to
solidOrange before extinguishing completely. The system is now in Valet Mode,
and the vehicle may be started. As an indicator of Valet Mode, when the ignition
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

engages automatically every time that the ignition switch is turned off. Please note
that if the vehicle will be left with someone, and it is desired to place the system into
Valet Mode, simply allow the system to engage, then perform the System Override
to obtain Valet Mode.

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