Astec Alarm System.....please help

jd6677

Hi I have an Astec System and the alarm is telling me to "Call Engineer" with the Number 76 before it. I think I can get into the Engineer Menu by pressing Fn + 0 and putting in my code ,but then when I try to do anything it just kicks me back out to the main screen displaying "Call Engineer"
I just need to reset the alarm and get rid of the "Call Engineer" from the display.

Does anyone know who to do this ?

Thanks in Advance
JD

RicardoSmith

I have one of these alarms and have the error 87 Call engineer. I can't clear mine unless I get the enginners code, my master code doesn't work. I can't get the engineers codes from the company who supplied it.

beller b

Ricardo..Not sure there is a code 87 "call engineer"
Sure its not 77??

RicardoSmith

Well I looks like 87 the display is failing. (carp Alarm) I know what it is. The backup battery isn't charging. Its a fault with the main board. I already tried a new battery. Theres an outside chance resetting it might clear it, IF I had the engineers code. Which I don't. Once I have funds I intend replacing it. Its 4 yrs old now.

Wasn't a very good alarm. Kinda got fiddled. Was told it had a redialler, (which I wanted) but they configured it only to their own monitoring service, and only after I had it fitted did they tell me I had to sign up to the service contract to use the monitoring and redialler. Turning a £400 alarm into a £800. They wouldn't give me code to reconfigure the alarm. Now theres a problem with it they won't come out and fix it, unless (you guessed it) I sign up for the service and monitoring. Which is the same price as just getting a new alarm.

But thats enough about me...

beller b

Sounds like you were stiched up a bit.With Astec it either have a dialler for calling monitoring stations or a voice dialler.They should come out & unlock it for you ,if you offer to pay for the call out they can,t really refuse..Refusing to call unless you have monitoring is a load of crap really...
Where are you living? If your in or around Dublin PM me I'll sort it for you..

jd6677

Ricardo , I think I know the Company you are talking about. I'm going to call the alarm company who installed mine tomorrow and ask for my Eng Code as the alarm is brand new. I'll let you know how I get on.
If I had my way the house would have an Aritech Alarm as that's what I have in my old house and it was a great alarm and never gave any trouble at all

JD

beller b

Its not the alarm .,Its how it's installed...We have used Astec since they started & I have to say there are very few problems if they are installed properly...

jd6677

Oh I totally agree with you. I was more saying , I'd like an Aritech as the manual explains everything including the Eng Section of the alarm. I just downloaded the Astec Manual and there is no mention of the Eng Code or Menu Functions. I suppose there is a reason for this

JD

tapest

Hi guys

By any chance is this the astec "2 wire" system , available from Pearse Street, that has been praised here in the past........Was just about to get me one of them
t

beller b

Yeah! the're the ones... Very good IMO..

linnetfields

Hi There

I also have an astec alarm telling me fault 61- call engineer battery. Can anyone help me to sort this? We bought the house second hand and the system was here when we arrived.

Cheers,

KoolKid

Replace the battery!!

dannyhandy

there is a way of reseting the alarm without an engineer code

KoolKid

dannyhandy wrote:

there is a way of reseting the alarm without an engineer code

Yes you could try powering the system down & remove the battery & factory links. Power back up & replace these links.
If the panel defaulted the factory code 4711 will disarm it & 1174 wil get you into engineer mode.

colmneedshelp

Hi, I recently moved into an apartment and the landlord tells me they don't have the user manual for the Astec alarm so I can change the alarm code. Does anyone know how this can be done? I have the existing code. Any direction is appreciated.

KoolKid

Clear Fn 3
Enter code
enter new code
Set
verify new code
Memory will flash on top of screen

btin

hi barry here. code 76 means engineer reset programmed into panel. displays after a tamper on system or a device fault. it requires engineer to reset the system. display is cleared by entering engineer mode and removing fault

colmneedshelp

Hi, back again. Koolkid, thanks for the instruction last time resetting the Astec system - I noticed rereading this thread that i forgot to thank you.

Well, the Mrs didn't like a 2 bed apt, so we now have a 4 bed house with, you guessed it, a HKC Securewatch alarm, and again I don't have a user manual. Two questions for the very knowledgable braintrust that is this board: How do I change the user code (again I have the current code but I want to prevent the landlord getting in unnoticed - not a very trusting soul am i?) and secondly, I was told to enter 0#4 to arm the alarm. That works but it beeps forever to give me time to get out of the house. That's fine for when I'm leaving but when I'm not, it just wakes the kids up. It beeps for 30 sec. Is there another shortcut or can I change the exit time?

Thanks again
Colm

KoolKid

I uploaded manager manual

To change code enter user code> Manager Menu> User codes

To Quick set with no buzzer 0#5
Part set 0#7 or 0#8

colmneedshelp

Thanks koolkid. I don't quite understand the steps you've described above. From the panel, do I just enter the user code without pressing anything else first? And do I use the default user code or the security code (i.e the one i want to change)? If I try the default (01111), it doesn't display anything except ***** on the screen and then reverts back to stanby. I guess my problem is I don't know how to get to the manager menu. I do have the user guide but I don't know how to get into the menus using the keypad. Any help is appreciated.

KoolKid

you use whatever the existing user code is.
If there are just ****s on the screen that you are not entering the correct code.

dprice

I have just had one of these alarms installed, a 63DV Astec Alarm.
I have set up the notification Phone numbers. However, when testing The system rings the first number ok, but if it does not get and answer the system does not automatically ring the second number. The code on the screen indicates that the user answered but did not press the star key twice. (F3)-I did not answer the first number because I wanted to see if it would trip to the next number. At first I thought that this was to do with the call answering on mobiles due to the fact it rings 15 times before giving up. Then I tried ringing a landline, the same result. Is this a fault in the system?

Regards

kitkat.3b4t

Hi

I moved house recently and got the astec alarm upgraded at a cost of €800. It has been faulty ever since and goes off a few times day and night, for no reason. Since alarm was installed I cannot contact the so-called 'engineer'. His name is Brendan and he is based in the Meath area. I want to get my money back and will track him down. Has anyone else come accross this Brendan character?

derek_g34

PM me for manuals. Files too big to upload.

dingding

Also try 01278 for the engineer code.

Sometimes the alarm company have been known to use digits from their phone no.

WexfordDad

Hi there
We have a Telecom Fault since we disconnected our Phones from Eircom and every 10 minutes it starts to beep.

I need to tell the system that we are no longer looking for the "Dialer" to work and also that we don't have a Telecom Connection.

Any help you can offfer appreciated.

Tks, Damian

reilly128

Hi have astec63 alarm and getting message, "15 Call engineer", when i press clear, set, full get TAMPER Lid and then another secreen 5A6 FAULT, can't find the manual to fix this, any help?

altor

reilly128 wrote: »

Hi have astec63 alarm and getting message, "15 Call engineer", when i press clear, set, full get TAMPER Lid and then another secreen 5A6 FAULT, can't find the manual to fix this, any help?

Tamper lid is the lid on the control panel. Sab fault is to do with the external bell. You should check the cable going to the external bell is not loose in the control panel, then close up the lid on the control panel to clear the faults. If you want a engineer manual send me your e-mail by P.M.

bill m

howdy folks.
I have an astec 63dv alarm which has been working fine for 3 and a half years but last night it went crazy.The outside alarm goes off on its own then the inside without the outside,when i disarm it,it still goes off every hour or so.Ive called engineers but no one is answering and i need it sorted asap,two kids in the house and understanding neighbours who are at their wits end.I need to disconnect it.I took the fuse out but it still goes off.Is there a battery somewhere i can take out.I took off the inside bell case but cant see anything other than wires.I need to disconnect it before i rip it off the wall and smash it with a hammer....it will probably still go off!!!
All help would be greatly appreciated
bill m

KoolKid

Remove the lid from the main panel. Turn the 2 plastic screws 90 degrees to vertical & slide the lid towards you.
This should also remove the mains fuse & the orange neon should no be off.
To the right of the last terminal connections will be a link marked battery, remove this to disconnect the battery.
The keypad should no be blank. The system is no powered down.
If the outside siren is ringing this will stop after 20 minutes.

bill m

Thanks koolkid,
did as you said and its sorted.sorry if i was a bit paniced two hours sleep,i was at my wits end.
Appreciate all the help,
got a guy coming later on to sort it.I checked the outside box and the wires are corroded.prob due to the heavy snow,
all the best
bill

altor

bill m wrote: »

howdy folks.
I have an astec 63dv alarm which has been working fine for 3 and a half years but last night it went crazy.The outside alarm goes off on its own then the inside without the outside,when i disarm it,it still goes off every hour or so.Ive called engineers but no one is answering and i need it sorted asap,two kids in the house and understanding neighbours who are at their wits end.I need to disconnect it.I took the fuse out but it still goes off.Is there a battery somewhere i can take out.I took off the inside bell case but cant see anything other than wires.I need to disconnect it before i rip it off the wall and smash it with a hammer....it will probably still go off!!!
All help would be greatly appreciated
bill m

When you disarmed the alarm did it give any indication of what the fault is ?

altor

bill m wrote: »

I checked the outside box and the wires are corroded.prob due to the heavy snow,

If that is the fault you could change the two cores to another pair and do the same in the panel.

bill m

howdy Altor,
thanks for the reply
yep it said zone 1 5ab 01 call engineer.The engineer new what it was when he finally returned the call.Hes had four call outs in the passed 2 days.he said its because of the harsh weather.
Zone 1 is the front door so i figured since the door seemed fine it could have meant the outside area and i checked the bell and sure enough the wires were corroded.
Waiting for the guy to call now.
The battery took 15 min to run down,IS there a specific battery i should be asking him to put in regarding life or do they all have the same ife length
cheers m8
bill

KoolKid

The SABB will charge back up itself.
I'm sure the engineer will check everything while he is there.
That would be the norm.

bill m

Perfect,
thanks for all the advice,
all the best,
Bill

altor

bill m wrote: »

howdy Altor,
thanks for the reply
yep it said zone 1 5ab 01 call engineer.The engineer new what it was when he finally returned the call.Hes had four call outs in the passed 2 days.he said its because of the harsh weather.
Zone 1 is the front door so i figured since the door seemed fine it could have meant the outside area and i checked the bell and sure enough the wires were corroded.
Waiting for the guy to call now.
The battery took 15 min to run down,IS there a specific battery i should be asking him to put in regarding life or do they all have the same ife length
cheers m8
bill

The battery is the standard battery for the old ASTEC system. Yes, I would of put it down to the SAB. The cables in the bell being corroded would of happened since the system was fitted. I would cover the terminals of the sab in mastic to prevent this happening again other wise you may have the same issue again in 3 and a half years

leonidas12

WexfordDad wrote: »

Hi there
We have a Telecom Fault since we disconnected our Phones from Eircom and every 10 minutes it starts to beep.

I need to tell the system that we are no longer looking for the "Dialer" to work and also that we don't have a Telecom Connection.

Any help you can offfer appreciated.

Tks, Damian

Hi I have the same problem with my alarm like you and you could help me and tell me how solvable problem.
I have just as disconnected lines are still on telecom faulty please help

KoolKid

leonidas12 wrote: »

Hi I have the same problem with my alarm like you and you could help me and tell me how solvable problem.
I have just as disconnected lines are still on telecom faulty please help

What system is it?

leonidas12

astec 49 dv i have code enginery 1174 and who I do after.

pleas help me

KoolKid

To remove line fault default the dialler.
From engineer enter 98 96 and press set.
To leave engineer enter 99 99.
If it still shows line fault power the system down and after a minute power back up.

leonidas12

only because I no longer have a phone line disconnected because two days ago, and how to disable the alarm call from the telephone line maybe faulty show again

KoolKid

If you default the dialler it will not display line fault.
Is that what you wanted?

jofeck

Hi there - is it possible to obtain a copy of the engineers manual for the Astec 63 alarm? We have the alarm and got a quote this morning for €140 to replace the battery....! Yikes :-)
I know the battery sells for €10 so going to get a techie to give it a go with the benefit of the manual in these recessionary times!
Appreciate your help if you have the engineers manual and would make it available.
Regards.

KoolKid

Sent you a PM;)

altor

jofeck wrote: »

Hi there - is it possible to obtain a copy of the engineers manual for the Astec 63 alarm? We have the alarm and got a quote this morning for €140 to replace the battery....! Yikes :-)
I know the battery sells for €10 so going to get a techie to give it a go with the benefit of the manual in these recessionary times!
Appreciate your help if you have the engineers manual and would make it available.
Regards.

Hi jofeck,

I cant understand how companys are charging so much for such a simple job.

Power down the panel by turning off the mains, open the lid on control box. remove battery link on the top right. There are 3 screws to be removed to remove the bottom half of the control panel cover. On the circuit board there are 2 screws to be removed to get to the battery. Once you change the battery, put back on circuit board, put back on bottom cover, put in battery link, put on top cover. Job done. If the alarm rings inside while doing this just enter your user code on the panel to silence it. When you power down the alarm completely the external bell will sound and go off when you are finished.

Any problems, let us know.

Germario

Hi
I have an Astec 63DV alarm which is now showing "76 call engineer" after I touched off one of the window contacts. Is there anyway of resetting this without paying the alarm company a fortune to come out and enter a code
Cheers

altor

Germario wrote: »

Hi
I have an Astec 63DV alarm which is now showing "76 call engineer" after I touched off one of the window contacts. Is there anyway of resetting this without paying the alarm company a fortune to come out and enter a code
Cheers

The installer put an engineer reset on the system. This means you will need the engineer code entered to clear the fault. I would also say he engineer locked the panel. You could try defaulting the alarm just in case he did not and reprogram it.

SMULVI

Hi,
Have teh Astec 63 alarm, and getting the 61 - Engineer error messge for a while now. More recently that has changed to say something about 'pad fault' or something similar.
Having read the instructions above, I'm going to get me a battery and have a go at changing it - but where do i go about finding the engineer manual or code - co who installed it 7.5 years ago are no longer on the go!
Thanks in advance
SMulvi

KoolKid

Look up the suppliers sticky if you want to source a battery.
I will PM you a link for the manual.
You may need to default the panel to get into engineer.

StPatsFc

Recently had the same problem

77-Call Engineer

Lads who installed it have ceased trading !!

Can some please PM me the manual ?