SE Toyota "security"

[LandCruiser]

SE Toyota, in the never ending quest to bling out Toyotas unnecessarily, and often make them worse in the process adds a cheap-ass "security" feature, it's located by the dimmer switch.

It essentially turns the Toyota security system into a ghetto Pep Boys system that sets the alarm off if you lock the doors manually and try to open them, accidentally twist the rear window switch with the key in the wrong direction, and fires the horn if there's a thunderclap. It's the alarm the jackass with the Del Sol with ground effects and twenty spoilers and busted turbo seals has, that wakes you up every night at 2AM. It also fires the horn loudly when you lock and unlock the car, so that everyone around you knows you have SECURITY (that can be disabled, but the instruction book as how to do it didn't come with the truck and I spent two days looking for one).

Can it be easily disabled, as in turned off for good? I know systems like this are all show and no go and anyone wanting to steal/break into a car is more sophisticated or just plain brazen than the brain trust at SE Toyota's aftermarket facility.

My local dealer is a 'tard and thinks he'll have to "splice the wiring harness" and I really don't feel like driving 100 miles to the nearest competent Toyota dealership to fix it if there's something easy that can be done.

 

[Blacksunshyne]

I thought it was like the seat belt chime...the dealer is able to make changes through some type of scan tool, but I think that is only the clarification beep you get when arming the "security" system...

I would not even think about taking it to the dealer who was talking about splicing wires

 

[eddiebx]

SE Toyota, in the never ending quest to bling out Toyotas unnecessarily, and often make them worse in the process adds a cheap-ass "security" feature, it's located by the dimmer switch.

It essentially turns the Toyota security system into a ghetto Pep Boys system that sets the alarm off if you lock the doors manually and try to open them, accidentally twist the rear window switch with the key in the wrong direction, and fires the horn if there's a thunderclap. It's the alarm the jackass with the Del Sol with ground effects and twenty spoilers and busted turbo seals has, that wakes you up every night at 2AM. It also fires the horn loudly when you lock and unlock the car, so that everyone around you knows you have SECURITY (that can be disabled, but the instruction book as how to do it didn't come with the truck and I spent two days looking for one).

Can it be easily disabled, as in turned off for good? I know systems like this are all show and no go and anyone wanting to steal/break into a car is more sophisticated or just plain brazen than the brain trust at SE Toyota's aftermarket facility.

My local dealer is a 'tard and thinks he'll have to "splice the wiring harness" and I really don't feel like driving 100 miles to the nearest competent Toyota dealership to fix it if there's something easy that can be done.

If they refuse to help you, I think the only way to do this is to manually trace the wires back from the console switch they installed and see where it leads you? I've not seen any "official" Toyota accessory alarm for the 5th gen, so there's really no guessing what kind of crapola alarm they spliced into the factory wires. I think the local dealer might have it wrong, they probably spliced into the harness installed it, and will have to unsplice it to get rid of it? Do you by chance have any pictures of this switch they installed? Maybe that can provide some clues...

Another idea is to visit a reputable aftermarket stereo/alarm shop and ask their tech to see if they can figure out how to undo it? I know how irritating these alarms can be, and I hope you get it resolved!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

You realize that ALL alarm systems are virtually the same?

The system on most Toyotas functions in conjunction with the immobilizier system in roughly the same manner... If the alarm goes off it usually disables being able to start the vehicle, even with the transponder key on most models. It does exactly the same thing any higher priced alarm system does, except maybe have a neat Dick tracy style two way cereal box remote!

But seriously, alarm systems are "theft detterents," some use the door switches, some use glass break sensors, ect ect. Unless your super awesome ViperHawkTerminator-9000PLUS EXTREME!® system shoots mace in the guy's eye and electrocutes his nuts when he tries to steal it... it does exactly the same as every other system out there.

That being said, you should be able to turn things like "Alarm sounds when vehicle is left unlocked after X amount of time" off and/or modify the settings. For the most part you can effectively disable the passive security system VIA TIS. You may not be able to turn ALL the features off though. But I have my 4th gen set so that it locks, beeps (this can be turned off) and autolocks after X amount of time (I can't remember if you can turn this off completely or not). Basically the alarm will only go off if I left the window down and someone reached in to open the door, or broke the glass as I have the RS3200+ factory add-on for the glass break sensor and stuff.

Post Note-

I've been referring to the stock security system that is built in with the immobilizer system and/or works in conjunction with the factory add-on package which typically plugs into the harness on the passenger side behind the glovebox.

Toyota does not off any other system as a factory option and if you have a crap system installed under the driver's dash area; it is a Dealer Installed system, probably a Guardian or Code (the two most common brands we dealt with at our dealership for a short while) and are installed at the dealership. They should be able to remove the unit easily, if they can't you yourself can do it in about a half hour to an hour. Its mostly snipping/unplugging all the spliced wires, module, and relays; and also reconnecting one or two ignition wires when you get the whole thing cut out.

 

[LandCruiser]

You realize that ALL alarm systems are virtually the same?

The system on most Toyotas functions in conjunction with the immobilizier system in roughly the same manner... If the alarm goes off it usually disables being able to start the vehicle, even with the transponder key on most models. It does exactly the same thing any higher priced alarm system does, except maybe have a neat Dick tracy style two way cereal box remote!

But seriously, alarm systems are "theft detterents," some use the door switches, some use glass break sensors, ect ect. Unless your super awesome ViperHawkTerminator-9000PLUS EXTREME!® system shoots mace in the guy's eye and electrocutes his nuts when he tries to steal it... it does exactly the same as every other system out there.

That being said, you should be able to turn things like "Alarm sounds when vehicle is left unlocked after X amount of time" off and/or modify the settings. For the most part you can effectively disable the passive security system VIA TIS. You may not be able to turn ALL the features off though. But I have my 4th gen set so that it locks, beeps (this can be turned off) and autolocks after X amount of time (I can't remember if you can turn this off completely or not). Basically the alarm will only go off if I left the window down and someone reached in to open the door, or broke the glass as I have the RS3200+ factory add-on for the glass break sensor and stuff.

I just need to find a competent dealer and then have them go through all the features with me that I want to disable.

I leave early for work, and the alarm irritates the neighbors--even if the truck is in the garage. I've started to leave it open in the garage to keep the alarm from going off at the slightest fart of a cockroach skittering across the windshield.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Sounds like an aftermarket unit installed by the dealer.

 

[grey_ghost]

I just need to find a competent dealer and then have them go through all the features with me that I want to disable.

I leave early for work, and the alarm irritates the neighbors--even if the truck is in the garage. I've started to leave it open in the garage to keep the alarm from going off at the slightest fart of a cockroach skittering across the windshield.

LandCruiser; I don't know if you ever resolved your alarm problems but i have part of the answer if you still need it. I bought my SR5 not knowing I had a port-installed "premium alarm" until months later, the forum helped me figure it out here. Anyway, by digging through my owners manual vinyl/leather folder, I found this very thin black & white manual called "Remote Keyless Entry Upgrade Security System".
What might interest you is that we do have a way to change settings so the horn never goes off when you set and un-set the alarm:
1. start with LED in OFF position, then turn ignition ON and OFF
2. within 10 seconds, press the LED six times
3. you should hear two chirps, indicating you have turned the horn function OFF

That's it, at least the annoying horn thing is OFF. Now I wish i could keep the high beam headlights from going every time i lock the car......

 

[KidVermicious]

going off at the slightest fart of a cockroach skittering across the windshield.

I found your problem. Stop feeding your cockroaches beans!

 

[STX4Runner]

...shoots mace in the guy's eye and electrocutes his nuts when he tries to steal it...

Hilarious, I laughed out loud sitting at my desk at work when I visualized this!