WHAT IS CHECK 103 ON MY ALARM SYSTEM?

Check 103 is an error code that shows up on Honeywell/Ademco control panels if there is a problem with the cell or internet communication. Usually, it’s an issue with the cell radio.

WHY DOES THE CHECK 103 ERROR SHOW UP?

Check 103 could show up if the cell radio loses cellular signal. This is usually the biggest culprit and usually from a temporary outage from your local GSM network. It could just be routine maintenance or general problems.  It also could be a change in the environment (trees, buildings, construction, new roof or siding, etc.).

If you have a Vista keypad, there’s usually a 4 digit code after it also that could be any of these issues.

  • 0000 – Control panel lost communication with the communicator
  • 0880 – Tamper detected – The cover is not on all the way (if this is the issue just put it on right)
  • 0005 – Lost communication with the cell network
  • 000F – It is not registered, activate the radio
  • 0019 – Communicator Shutdown
  • 0400 – Communicator power on/reset and the control panel lost communication with it
  • 0C80 – Communicator power on /reset and tamper detected
  • 08E0 – Communicator tamper detected and battery is low
  • 3000 – Primary power loss
  • 8000 – Battery charger failure
  • 0060 – low battery



HOW TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE

1. Test the system. There is a a chance that the cell towers had a one time loss of communication with your alarm system and now you have alarm communication restored. We recommend that you call central station monitoring to do a test. If the test is successful, the Check 103 should go away.

2. Power Cycle. There’s also a chance that your cell radio has become unregistered for some reason. Sometimes a simple "power-down" then "power-up" will do the trick.  This will require a panel key and to know where the alarm transformer is plugged in.

  • Open the panel cover and locate the backup battery (large rectangle at bottom of panel).
  • Wiggle loose one of the wires from the battery.
  • Unplug the panel transformer from the wall (usually tan in color).
  • -- Wait 30 seconds. --
  • Reconnect the wire to the battery.
  • Plug the transformer back in.



If after a full power-cycle the error still exists, please contact support, there may be another issue with the system.