Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Old Master code still turns off/on alarm

Hi All,

I have an Ademco 4140 XMP system, which I now know more about thanks to you all. My problem is that a technician changed my master code, and the old code still works to some degree. The old code will turn on/off the alarm, the strange thing is that to turn off the alarm you need to press the off key (1) twice and to set the alarm the Away key (2) twice as well. So it's 4 digit code + 1 + 1 or 4 digit code + 2 + 2. This does not work for the Stay option (3). I have been able to get into the program mode, as I now know the installer code for my system, again thanks to you. I tried resetting the Master code myself, to a new code, but that old code still works in the manner I already described. The master code I just replaced is doing the same, turning off/on the alarm with double 1's or 2's. The master code that was programmed when I bought the house does not do this. It was changed shortly after I moved in, several years ago, but also by a technician. The technician that just re-programmed my system last week, was very shaky about how to set the master code on this particular model. Does anyone know why this has occurred and what I can do about it?

Thanks in Advance,
Sully

You can only program one master into the system, field 01 in programming more than likely that code is a user. Try deleting all users. master 8+user number (03-70) and master again. You other Issue I have never heard of make sure you are giving the alarm enough time to arm or disarm.

I strongly suspect that the more likely cause is that your keypad is getting old enough that the 1 and 2 keys aren't consistently making contact.

This system is in the ballpark of 15-16 years old at best. There is an option for the user codes to be 6 digit, that isn't what you are describing. The away and off keys are the two that eventually wear out on every ademco system.

First Off, thank you both for responding, I really appreciate it, secondly although I agree the system is old, I have two different keypads and both are doing the same thing. And it only happens with the two previous master codes. When the tech was here, he had me delete the secondary codes up to 10, even though I have only used two. So I don't think that is the reason either. The new master code and the new secondary code works just as expected, code + 1 or code + 2. It's like there's something else that needs to be done when resetting the master code. I was hoping to avoid getting ADT back out here, but maybe I should just upgrade to newer equipment. Unless there any other ideas out there.

Upgrading would be a plus for you considering the equipment you have. Was the tech there for the same issue previously?

I had a tech come out originally to change the master code. It seemed to work fine, for several years. My live in girlfriend moved out recently so I wanted to change it again. So I had them come out again, and you now know the results of that.

While this was a fairly high end system when it was new, there really is no secret setting in the programming that can make the master or user codes do what you are describing.

Take your master code and use the instructions in your user manual to make sure that all of the user codes 03 to 70 are deleted.

Even if your system was a 4140xmpt instead of a 4140xmp, the keystrokes you describe isn't the command to arm to a different partition.

Some piece of critical information is missing here.

Thanks Mr Ron, I wish I knew what it was, but the problem I have described is consistent and even ADT doesn't know why it is happening. I guess new keypads are in order. I appreciate everyone's comments.