Activating the 03-04 Alarm System

[nathannookie]

My guess, it's just a computer setting....but how do you activate the alarm system?

Maybe just a connector?

Maybe the computer?
How does the dealer tell the computer to change things?

 

[rando]

Unlike some of the other recent Toyotas, it doesn't appear to be just a computer setting and/or wire harness mod. The RS3200+ kit for the 03/04 4runner includes an alarm ECU and a seperate Glass Breakage Sensor ECU. If you look at the same kit for the Tacoma, you'll see that it only includes the GBS ECU but not a seperate alarm ECU. Basically, the alarm part is already in there in the Taco but not the 4runner. If anyone knows different, please share.

BTW, I just finished ripping an aftermarket alarm out of my 04. It was pre-installed by my dealer and I opted not to keep it. It was a piece of sh** and was interfering with some of the normal keyless entry operations (auto head-light turn off) and also honking the damn horn every time it armed/disarmed! I made a trip back to my dealer to give it back to them. They were fairly suprised to see that I had ripped it out myself.

While I was there I had them program a few settings. It's done with an OEM on board diagnostic (OBD) tester ($2500-$3000). I had them turn the keyless entry chirp (piezo buzzer) down to the lowest audible setting. I also had them set the auto-off delay for the head lamps to 0 secs. Now my lights turn off immediately after I remove the key AND open the drivers side door.

As confirmed in other posts, they weren't even aware that these settings existed and/or how to go about changing them. It took them a good 30 minutes to figure it out and then about 5 minutes more to make the actual changes.

 

[rando]

There are two different factory alarm options available. The standard Antitheft system and the Rs3200 Plus. I've been studying the wiring and repair manuals this morning and perhaps my earlier post is incorrect. I know the RS3200 plus kit for the 03/04 4runner comes with both alarm and gbs ECUs. But from looking at the manuals, it appears there may already be an antitheft ecu in the system.

I'm going to drop the passenger side glove box area and see if it's there. If so, then it could be a wiring or programming setting to enable it. For sure, the security horn is missing from my SR5. You can see the 1 pin connector for it just below and between the air filter box and the inside of the fendor well, inside the engine bay. I'll let you know what I discover.

If you just need a security system for Insurance reasons, I believe the engine immobilizer system satisifies most Insurance requirements. That feature is standard in all 03/04 4runners.

 

[nathannookie]

You know, I'd seen that little connector next to the air intake, and wondered just that. It might just be for a siren/horn? There are even holes on the wheel well to mount something....An Alarm horn? Hmmmmmm....

Well, I figure, than my remote panic switch can activate the horn and lights, and the computer knows when the doors are open when the doors haven't been unlocked with the remote, so it's just a programming change that would enable it to link the two functions.

I'd guess that if someone wants the alarm added, Toyota doesn't want to go installing a lot of hardware, other than the glass breakage sensor, (probably an easy addition), and a siren, although, maybe it just uses the horn, like so many other cars do.

They'd probably not want to make it a simple connector change, as people would figure it out, so they make it a setting in the computer. But who knows....

Anyway, you have a manual and I don't, and you sound like you know much more than I do.

BTW, I haven't found any Chilton or Haynes manuals yet. I take it you bought the Toyota manual?

Thanks.

 

[nathannookie]

ALSO,

Yeah, I love the fact that it has the immobilizer. I just hope a theif knows that before he breaks in, and tries to jam the ignition. And, yes, I'd guess the insurance co. knows it's there, but good idea, I'll make sure they do.

But, yeah, I'd love it to make noise, horn, or siren, if someone DID break in.

 

[rando]

Yes, I have the Toyota Repair Manuals (Vol 1 and 2) and the Wiring Manual.

I just checked in the dash and the antitheft ECU is not in there. Just the empty 40 pin connector. I agree it WOULD be possible for the Body ECU to implement the alarm code, it has connections to to all the right sensors and activators (doors, lights, horn, ...), but it does not appear that Toyota did it that way, this time. Alarm functions are implemented by the Antitheft ECU (assuming you have the stock basic alarm) OR the RS3200+ alarm ECU (either from the factory or as an add-on). In the former case, you'd also have the alarm horn in the engine area that I mentioned before.

All of this information is consistent with the shop manuals I've verified it by inspecting (i.e. cracking open my dash) my own truck. Don't ask me what motivated Toyota to do it this way. It's possible that the body ECU doesn't have any more room to implement the alarm programming (lame theory I know).

 

[jharris2]

Have you by chance gotten the RS3200 Plus manuals from Fujitsu-TEN? Their fax back system is at 310-327-9905.

 

[jharris2]

By the way, this thread may be helpful.

I just got the latest catalog and it appears that the document numbers have not changed from those in the thread.

 

[rando]

No, I don't have the RS3200+ nor the manuals for it. That's good information you provided in the other thread though. It's nice to know there is so much info out there if/when I need it.

 

[mam4994]

VIP Security

Before I picked-up my 4Runner on Saturday(i'll have pics next week), I had the dealer install the Toyota VIP security system. The total cost installed was around $500.00. I am not really too concerned with a theft of my vehicle, but I felt the extra $500.00 would not be a bad investment, esp. in my industry the location of every facility is usually near rail road tracks and is in the oldest part of the town.

The VIP costs about mid $300 plus approx. $100.00 to install. Additionally, the security system comes with two (2) stickers which are approximately 1/2" x 1.5" inches which state that the vechile is protected by VIP and I think it states there is an engine immobilizer. (I am not for sure since I picked-up my 4Runner and brought it home to protect it from the mysterous door dings and scratches which magically apear in college towns and college parking lots)

From my understanding, it is a program which needed to be installed.

Also, for $40.00 I picked up some wheel locks.

 

[tkr128]

BTW, I just finished ripping an aftermarket alarm out of my 04. It was pre-installed by my dealer and I opted not to keep it. It was a piece of sh** and was interfering with some of the normal keyless entry operations (auto head-light turn off) and also honking the damn horn every time it armed/disarmed! I made a trip back to my dealer to give it back to them. They were fairly suprised to see that I had ripped it out myself.

I see you got your truck from Longo. Was this the Chapman alarm? I too decided not to keep it. They kept trying to get me to take it, and even offered it to me for $200. I still had them remove it since I wanted them to replace the blank switch where they put the red alarm light. That alarm must've been the most annoying thing ever. The honks and the chirps together drove me insane.

 

[nathannookie]

Rando, thanks. Good info.

Maybe the body ECU 'is' too full, and maybe the antitheft ECU has extra stuff. like a driver for the siren.

Maybe I'll just put one of those blinking LED's on the dash somewhere. It's not like anyone pays attention to sirens any more....(at least not in my complex) and with the immobilizer, it shouldn't really be going anywhre, unless they tow it.

 

[jharris2]

Re: VIP Security

Before I picked-up my 4Runner on Saturday(i'll have pics next week), I had the dealer install the Toyota VIP security system. The total cost installed was around $500.00. I am not really too concerned with a theft of my vehicle, but I felt the extra $500.00 would not be a bad investment, esp. in my industry the location of every facility is usually near rail road tracks and is in the oldest part of the town.

The VIP costs about mid $300 plus approx. $100.00 to install. Additionally, the security system comes with two (2) stickers which are approximately 1/2" x 1.5" inches which state that the vechile is protected by VIP and I think it states there is an engine immobilizer. (I am not for sure since I picked-up my 4Runner and brought it home to protect it from the mysterous door dings and scratches which magically apear in college towns and college parking lots)

From my understanding, it is a program which needed to be installed.

Also, for $40.00 I picked up some wheel locks.

Couple of questions for you, since you're the first one we know of with the RS3200+ on a 4th generation 4Runner:

1. What does the RS3200+ give you that the stock system does not? Just trying to see what the difference is for.

2. Does it use the same LED as comes on the stock system?

I've been trying to evaluate if it was worth the money, although the installation looks to be pretty simple.

Thanks.

 

[rando]

I see you got your truck from Longo. Was this the Chapman alarm? I too decided not to keep it. They kept trying to get me to take it, and even offered it to me for $200. I still had them remove it since I wanted them to replace the blank switch where they put the red alarm light. That alarm must've been the most annoying thing ever. The honks and the chirps together drove me insane.

It was a Code Alarm unit. Had the same chirps and honks you describe though and also the extra LED in the switch blank. The switch blank is truly the only reason I even went back there. Otherwise I would have thrown the unit in the trash. They were unable to remove it the day I bought the truck because it was a Sunday and their shop was closed. They didn't tell me until AFTER the deal was done that they expected me to come back and have it removed (I laughed fairly hard and told them good luck). I guess they knew it was sooo annoying I'd be back.

The truck still has the engine immobilizer, it's a standard feature. It should stop 100% of the casual joy-riding car thiefs. If they're sophisticated enough to get around it, then they can probably get around just about anything. Regardless, I'm not convinced that honking horns and flashing lights add much extra from a security stand-point. When is the last time anyone went running to investigate a car alarm?

 

[rando]

Maybe I'll just put one of those blinking LED's on the dash somewhere. It's not like anyone pays attention to sirens any more....(at least not in my complex) and with the immobilizer, it shouldn't really be going anywhre, unless they tow it.

If they tow mine, they better bring a flat-bed. If they standard tow it, they-ll have a stolen car in need of new tranny.

 

[rando]

Re: Re: VIP Security

Couple of questions for you, since you're the first one we know of with the RS3200+ on a 4th generation 4Runner:

1. What does the RS3200+ give you that the stock system does not? Just trying to see what the difference is for.

2. Does it use the same LED as comes on the stock system?

I've been trying to evaluate if it was worth the money, although the installation looks to be pretty simple.

Thanks.

I know you weren't asking me, since I don't have it. But I think can answer your question anyhow. Assuming by 'stock' system you mean the base antitheft, the only difference appears to be the glass breakage sensor. For 'stock' systems like mine (i.e. keyless entry only), it adds basic alarm functionality as well.

 

[tkr128]

It was a Code Alarm unit. Had the same chirps and honks you describe though and also the extra LED in the switch blank. The switch blank is truly the only reason I even went back there. Otherwise I would have thrown the unit in the trash. They were unable to remove it the day I bought the truck because it was a Sunday and their shop was closed. They didn't tell me until AFTER the deal was done that they expected me to come back and have it removed (I laughed fairly hard and told them good luck). I guess they knew it was sooo annoying I'd be back.

The truck still has the engine immobilizer, it's a standard feature. It should stop 100% of the casual joy-riding car thiefs. If they're sophisticated enough to get around it, then they can probably get around just about anything. Regardless, I'm not convinced that honking horns and flashing lights add much extra from a security stand-point. When is the last time anyone went running to investigate a car alarm?

The Chapman and the Code Alarm are the same ones, so I guess they're still installing these. Who knows, maybe you got the one they took out of my car! Anyway, I bought my car on a Wednesday and they said they would take it out immediately, but I didn't want to spend another hour there, so I had them do it the following Friday. I live 15 minutes away, so no big deal.

I'm sure nobody checks alarms out anymore, but if it sounds like mine, you bet I'll be the first one out there!

 

[mam4994]

Q:1. What does the RS3200+ give you that the stock system does not? Just trying to see what the difference is for.

A: I believe that an alarm, such as the lights will flash and the horn will honk on either two instances: the door is forcibly opened and/or the glass is broken. It is activated after 30 sec. of either a) locking the doors with the key b) using the cowboy clicker to lock the doors and/or c) by locking the doors manually. Furthermore, Toyota will pay for the insurance deducible if the vehicle is stolen. The main reason why I got it was because it could be easily installed by the dealer, and it would be compatible with the Toyota system, i.e. so I would not have problems with interference.

Q:2. Does it use the same LED as comes on the stock system?

A: I have had my 4Runner the entire time with the VIP system; thus i have no clue if this happens on the on non-equipped versions. However, on the center console, there is red light which looks like a 4Runner with a key which flashes, approximately every 5 to 15 seconds. I will submit a picture in a few minutes.

When my dealer received the vehicle, it didn't have it on the 4Runner, but I opted to have it installed for safety reasons and I really don't think that the price was very outrageous. Another reason why I opted for this system is because it was very easy to be installed. I would not have put a security system on the 4Runner if the entire 4Runner would have to reorganized.

Using economist theories, if your deductible is higher than the cost of the equipment, installation, and your time used to gain the parts or installing the system, it would be a good investment since it would have paid for itself after it got stolen.

My $0.02 is that if someone really wants to steal your car they are going to find away to steal it.

 

[mam4994]

Location where red light flashes

 

[mam4994]

Location where red light flashes, I don't know if it is just the VIP or if every 4Runner flashes