Honeywell VISTA: Backdooring System Using a 6160V

Our video will show you how to gain access to the programming section of your Honeywell Vista 6160V control panel if you don’t have an installer code.
Sometimes we can’t remember every password or PIN number that we have in our heads. This is especially true for ones we don’t use very often, such as the installer code for your Honeywell Vista system.
Usually you will use the installer code just a few times during initial set up and then rarely need it again. If you ever forget your installer code and need to access the programming section of your control panel, you can using a backdoor method. Our video will discuss this procedure.
As with any access code bypass, there is a method to block this. Using the *98 function will disable the backdoor ability.
As we discuss in the video, if you have the *98 function enabled, the power cycle backdoor access will not work. Our video will assume that this feature is disabled, which it is by default, and you can access the system with the backdoor method.
The first step, as the video details, is to remove all power to the control panel, starting with the DC battery power inside. Press the two tabs on the top to open the panel, and locate the two-wire lead connecting the circuit board to the battery pack.
Once the wires are removed from the control board, you will need to disconnect the AC power, either with the LT connector on the control board, or by unplugging the transformer from the wall outlet.
One the control panel has been disabled you need to reconnect the power. As our video shows, we recommend you reconnect the AC power first. As the power comes back on and the system reboots you will have a 50 second window for gaining access to the programming functions.
Follow the video as we show you how to press and hold the pound (#) and star (*) keys simultaneously. Doing this will take you directly to programming. This is verified on the LCD screen with “Installer Code.”
To program a new code, enter the installer code field by pressing star (*) followed by the numbers 20. As the video guide shows, you can now enter a new installer code. Make sure the new code is 4 digits long.
Once the new code is entered the system will ring three times to let you know the new code was accepted. Follow the video for important information about the installer code.
From here, you press the star (*) key followed by the numbers 99 to exit the programming function. Your system is now active and ready to arm.
As we discuss in the video, you have now successfully changed or reset your installer code access PIN. As long as the *98 function is not enabled, this video will allow you to know how to gain installer access any time you need it.
You can watch our other videos to learn more about the installer code, its uses or the Honeywell Vista control panel.

[@shawnpat3ck]

Really helpful, Thank you!

[@freddaniels8259]

Our pleasure, Glad you enjoyed.

[@johnkosheluk1041]

Thank you

[@james-gi3yj]

Show how to fix it*98 was used

[@mauricemarsh9003]

How do you reset a system to change an installer code when you only have touch screens ademco 6270. There are some hardware buttons on the unit but no hardware number or # or * buttons. The only hardware buttons are home, back, panic, and func. There are also up and down arrows at the side of the display.

[@chuckbalint335]

GOOD video. question after doing the power off reset to change the installer code, does all the zone programing stay intact or do you have to reinstall again ? Again thanks.

[@chuckbalint335]

Way to go.. thank you.

[@syds7135]

I have a wireless vista 21ip/21ipsia. Some how entry delay was checked and every time we come in the alarm goes off. We can uncheck before we set alarm and it still goes off upon re-entry. How can I change this? It's like it's stuck there. I have to go into tools to get a key pad to work with. I've tried everything. Please help!

[@syds7135]

Frank Longo wifi

[@syds7135]

It's a 2 gig 2.78

[@alfredog.junior5186]

Hi Guys , fist thanks for the videos!!! I have a central vista 128 bpt and the keypad is a 6162 and the company that did the isntalation is out of business, and I have no instaler or master code, can I Backdooring using this keypad?? many thanks

[@ruththellawhite864]

why didnt you show how to disconnect the ac power and battery

[@varvatrosedition3009]

Hi, my alarm panel is reading "FC 100". I want to use my door chime but I am not using any monitoring system. Is there anyway to clear the FC100 error and use the alarm as a door chime only? Thank you.

[@SterlingDonnelly]

What model alarm system do you have?

[@varvatrosedition3009]

Honeywell Vista 20P?

[@SterlingDonnelly]

The FC would mean 'failure to communicate' and indicates that your system is programmed to dial out to a central station and that the last signal it tried to send, failed which makes sense as you aren't currently active with monitoring service. Do you happen to have the system's Master Code or Installer Code? The 100 indicates an issue with your wireless receiver (or a potential programming error). Do you know if you have any wireless sensors installed in your home or any wireless key fob remotes?

[@varvatrosedition3009]

I powered it off and got in the backdoor and set my own installer code.

[@varvatrosedition3009]

I got the FC error after I used your backdoor access as I didn't have any codes on a new house I purchased.

[@AgNTamazgha]

I have a First Alert FA260 and would like to get to the INSALLER CODE. Pressing * and # simultaneously triggers a Panic Alarm (code 99) Help appreciated!

[@SterlingDonnelly]

If you don't first fully power your system down, pressing * and # together will set off the zone 99 panic. You need to locate the metal alarm cabinet that houses your system's control panel as the FA260 is just a keypad. Once you find the cabinet, you'll need to open it up, disconnect a lead to the backup battery and then locate the power supply plugged into a standard wall outlet and unplug that as well.

[@raheelhameed1]

Bought an old house with vista20psia pre-installed, don't know what the installer and master codes are and the backdoor process does not work. If I replace it by vista20p board from amazon, will it clear up the codes (I dont' know if the codes are stored in keypad or the panel/hardware board)? Or is there any another way to clear up codes in the hardware?

[@SterlingDonnelly]

The codes are stored in the actual green circuit board inside the beige metal alarm cabinet. What happened when you tried the back door programming method?

[@raheelhameed1]

Hey Sterling, Thanks for the reply! System was fully powered down. LCD was blank. When it was booted again, the lights on the keypad (6160AS) blinked for a short time, there was no response to * and # combination, and it always ended up in "DISARMED","Ready to ARM" screen. Tried so many times with same result. Also, after some digging I found out later that the keypad actually is connected to iControl SMCTB01-Z module that is hidden in the wall and probably that module is then connected to the vista20psia board. So for sure keyboard is not directly connected to vista board. Does that matter? Is it worth removing the module and have a direct connection of keypad with the vista20psia board and trying again the backdoor method?

[@AlarmGrid]

We're not familiar with that iControl module so I'm not sure how that device would affect how the panel would work. You should check with iControl to see what that device is doing for you and then decide if you can/should remove it or not.

[@raheelhameed1]

Thanks for your reply! I checked the document. It's a takeover board that sits between keypad and vista20psia. It actually allows for a specific wireless keypad to interact with the vista20psia. So I believe it will be safe to remove it because I don't have the wireless keypad anyways.

[@andydlc]

I have the same problem as Varvatros

[@SterlingDonnelly]

As we asked him, what model number is your alarm system?

[@andydlc]

Vista 15p with ademco 6160 keypad

[@SterlingDonnelly]

Frank's message was supposed to read as enter '* 29 + 0 *'. You actually should also press * 41 * and * 42 * while in programming as the * 29 will only shut down a backup communicator and you need to shut down the phone line reporting (fields 41 and 42).