FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of frequently asked questions and their answers. If you have a question and you are unable to find the answer here, please feel free to contact our customer service or technical support staff.
Q: What is 2-way technology and what does it do for me?
Q: How can I get replacement transmitters for my system?
Q: Do I really need a vehicle security system?
Q: What is a Black Widow system going to do that my factory system does not?
Q: What features do I need in an alarm?
Q: What is Black Widow's warranty?
Q: The dealer told me that installing a Black Widow system would void my warranty, is this
true?
Q: My transmitter stopped working and my system is armed, how do I drive the vehicle?
Q: My transmitter stopped working, what do I do?
Q: Where is the valet/override switch located?
Q: How can I get an installation or owner's manual for my system?
Q: My system's operating range has dropped dramatically over time, what can I do?
Q: How do I get my system serviced?
Q: What is 2-way technology and what does it do for me?
A: 2-way technology refers to the ability of the system to receive a signal from the remote
transmitter, perform the requested action, and then send a signal back to the transmitter
to confirm that the action was performed. 2-way technology can perform several useful
functions including alerting the owner in the event of an intrusion attempt or confirming
that the engine has successfully remote started for remote start equipped models. 2-way
equipped systems usually feature a LCD panel or LED indicators on the transmitter to
display the confirmation information.
Q: How can I get replacement transmitters for my system?
A: First you must identify the model number of your transmitter. You can do that by
comparing the pictures on the Replacement Transmitters page to your own transmitter. If
you no longer have a transmitter for comparison, please view our Transmitter Reference
Guide. Once you have determined the correct transmitter model, you may place your order
online or contact our customer service department by phone.
Q:Do I really need a vehicle security system?
A: Unfortunately for the vast majority of us, the days of leaving our doors unlocked without
worry are long since gone and vehicle theft and/or content theft has become a very serious
concern. In this day and age, the addition of a visible means of protection may be all that
keeps you from being separated from your vehicle. For many thieves, just having a visual
anti-theft indicator is enough to make them choose an easier target. However, the best
method to protect your vehicle and its contents is a systematic approach combining a
complete security system with good common sense. Besides parking in a well lit area and
keeping your valuables out of sight, installing a Black Widow security system with a shock
sensor or exterior radar sensor will help deter content theft. And, to really protect the
vehicle itself a starter defeat is key to preventing experienced thieves from driving off in
your vehicle.
Q: What is a Black Widow system going to do that my factory system does not?
A: First and most importantly, does you vehicle really have a security system or just keyless
entry? Unfortunately, many people have been led to believe that the factory transmitter
they are carrying around controls a security system, when in fact it may only operate the
door locks. You can check for yourself by rolling down a window then pressing the lock
button on your factory remote. Now reach through the window and unlock the door. If you
then open the door and nothing happens, guess what- no security. If in fact your vehicle is
equipped with factory security, then consider the following facts. The majority of factory
security systems do nothing more than disable the starter or fuel delivery system. In the
exercise above, opening the door would elicit no response from a vehicle equipped with
only a starter or fuel disable system and the vehicle's contents would most certainly be at
risk. Regardless, true security comes in the form of deterrence and if the system does
nothing until a door is opened, it's too late. All Black Widow security systems come with
some type of sensor designed to protect the vehicle even before a door is opened. It is
also true that factory systems for a particular model vehicle are all exactly the same, and
installed exactly the same way- so once a thief has bypassed one, he has bypassed them
all!
Q: What features do I need in an alarm?
A: There are several key factors to determining the best fit for your individual needs. The type
of vehicle and its use are very important. Most Black Widow systems come with a dual-zone
shock sensor to detect impact to the vehicle, as in the case of a break-in attempt. A
convertible owner should look for the ability to add a radar sensor, particularly a dual-zone
type, to protect the vehicle and its contents when the top is down. If the vehicle is equipped
with aftermarket wheels, the owner should consider a motion or tilt sensor to protect against
jacking up the vehicle. For trucks with camper shells or workboxes on the back, pin switches
or magnetic reed switches should be used to secure each opening. Remote engine starting
can definitely simplify your life with its ability to preheat your vehicle's interior in the winter
or cool it down in the summer- without having to go outside! A remote hatch or trunk
release is another nice feature that allows you to easily open your vehicle's rear hatch or
trunk at the touch of a button. Long-range operation is nice if you have remote start
capability, but what good is it if you don't know if the transmitter actually did anything?
That's why Black Widow's long-range transmitters are equipped with 2-way communication
that confirms activation of system functions and provides notification on the transmitter of
any intrusion attempts.
Q: What is Black Widow's warranty?
A: Black Widow security and remote start modules are covered by a limited lifetime warranty
against defects in materials and workmanship when installed by an authorized dealer.
Items returned defective will be repaired or replaced at our option. Transmitters, sirens,
and other system components are backed by a one-year warranty unless otherwise noted in
the product's packaging.
Q: The dealer told me that installing a Black Widow system would void my warranty, is this
true?
A: Although car dealers often make that claim, it is expressly forbidden as per the terms of
the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act of 1975. The Act stipulates that tie-in sales
provisions which would require the purchaser to buy an item only from a particular company
in order to maintain the vehicle's warranty is illegal. Of course it does not require the
manufacturer to cover damages caused by incorrect installation of an aftermarket product,
so it is important that Black Widow systems be installed by a qualified professional in order
to keep your warranty in tact.
Q: My transmitter stopped working and my system is armed, how do I drive the vehicle?
A: If the system is armed it will be necessary to follow the Emergency Override procedure. For
most Black Widow models the system can be overridden by turning the ignition on and
pressing the valet switch for several seconds until the siren stops sounding (up to 10
seconds on some models). Some Black Widow systems feature a coded override that
requires following a special procedure. Specialized instructions are found in the owner's
manual that came with the system. If you no longer have the manual(s), they can be
downloaded from our website here.
Q: My transmitter stopped working, what do I do?
A: If the LED on the transmitter does not light up, or is dim when pressing a button, replace
the battery. Most Black Widow transmitters use a standard 23A style 12-volt battery that is
available from any electronics store. If the LED lights up normally when a button is pressed,
re-coding the transmitter to the system (for code-learnable systems) may solve the
problem.
Q: Where is the valet/override switch located?
A: If the installer did not confirm the mounting location of the switch during the installation, it
is difficult to know where it would be. However, the most common locations to place this
switch are in the driver's kick panel, behind the fuse panel access door, or directly
underneath the dashboard in front of the driver.
Q: How can I get an installation or owner's manual for my system?
A: All of our current and most of our older product manuals are available here on our website.
These manuals are in PDF form and are viewable with many different programs, including
Adobe Reader, which is a free download on our Manuals page. If you are unable to find the
manual you need please contact our technical support staff.
Q: My system's operating range has dropped dramatically over time, what can I do?
A: First check change the battery. Most Black Widow transmitters use a standard 23A style
12-volt battery that is available from any electronics store. If this does not solve the
problem, the system may need servicing.
Q: How do I get my system serviced?
A: Visit your Black Widow dealer first to confirm the product does need servicing and it is not
an installation or vehicle related issue. If the product does have a problem that requires
warranty service, please contact our customer service department to obtain a Return
Authorization, or have your dealer send the product in on your behalf.
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