Abstract

A vehicle control and/or access control and/or anti-theft system for motor vehicles including data entry apparatus designed to enter a predetermined signal, a decoder for processing the signal, apparatus to recognize which one of a plurality of valid signals was entered, and apparatus to control vehicle electrical functions in response to which valid signal was recognized. In the anti-theft system, operation of the vehicle is disabled by interrupting an essential vehicle circuit, and a method is provided together with the decoder for preventing the operation of the vehicle disabling system so that when the operator enters his specific signal the automobile can then be started and operated. In addition, the system monitors all points of entry into the vehicle, and also monitors various sensors for unusual disturbances. The system sounds a siren alarm and/or flashes the vehicle's interior lights, parking lights, and/or headlights, in the event of unauthorized entry or unusual disturbance. The system has the ability to differentiate between a plurality of authorized operators of the vehicle, and contains a logic processing device adapted to interface to automotive electrical functions such as memory devices programmed to adapt specific automotive functions to a plurality of operators. The system provides a diagnostics mode, enhanced exit supervision and a plurality of user-programmable features.