Is the Factory alarm worth it? What is?
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SL Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,202
From: Motel 6
Originally Posted by aimeeXa
Originally Posted by CBSIMONSEZ
kill switch that needs a key to start it. Its a little black box the size of a box of matches, and there is a flat key that has a chip inside it. Insert key into box, and car starts, but with out the special key, the car wont start.
At a car wash the guy broke the slot that the chip/key goes in.
i tried gluing it back together...but it always just broke again.
Before i finally had the whole system removed...i had to hold the chip in place while i started the car (thankfully the chip didn't have to be in place for the car to keep running)
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Team ScioNRG
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 167
From: Dutchess County, New York
Re: Is the Factory alarm worth it? What is?
Ima market the "Take the spark plug wires off everytime you leave your car" car alarm. it installs in seconds, 99% theft proof, and is a perfect diy.
Installation instructions:
Step 1. Pull the plug wires and take em with you when you park.
Step 2. Put the plug wires back in when you want to drive.
Its really impractical and wont stop people from breakin in your car, or vandalism-- but it will keep em from leaving with your ride. (unless they have a spare set of plug wires on em)
Installation instructions:
Step 1. Pull the plug wires and take em with you when you park.
Step 2. Put the plug wires back in when you want to drive.
Its really impractical and wont stop people from breakin in your car, or vandalism-- but it will keep em from leaving with your ride. (unless they have a spare set of plug wires on em)
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sIcKsCiOnS
Scinergy
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Scion Evolution
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 446
From: FOX SCION (E. Prov, RI)
Originally Posted by finn_mick
Hmmm, I have had the stock alarm the whole time and have an no problems. I am tyring to keep my xB as stock as possible. ;-)
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 16
From: valencia
I am almost posititve that Directed Electronics(Viper, rattler, python, etc.) does not authorize any on line sales as most car audio companies dont. Viper alarms have lifetime warranty- not sure if toyotas warranty is lifetime? Though I belive that viper alarms have to be bought and installed by an authorized dealer in order to honor the lifetime warranty. If you know someone at a shop that can take care of you then great but otherwise there is really no advantage to buying online other than the cheap price. Get an aftermarket Directed alarm, it will be better than any alarm toyota will ever have available.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 16
From: valencia
I am almost posititve that Directed Electronics(Viper, rattler, python, etc.) does not authorize any on line sales as most car audio companies dont. Viper alarms have lifetime warranty- not sure if toyotas warranty is lifetime? Though I belive that viper alarms have to be bought and installed by an authorized dealer in order to honor the lifetime warranty. If you know someone at a shop that can take care of you then great but otherwise there is really no advantage to buying online other than the cheap price. Get an aftermarket Directed alarm, it will be better than any alarm toyota will ever have available.
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Scion Evolution
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 534
From: Orange County
Originally Posted by phrenzy
What are the warranty implications of installing an aftermarket alarm?
hope this helps,
hubert
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
From: California
Securities and Trusts
That sounds like good advice. I know that I attained the Scion Security, thinking at the time, that it would be a bit more robust than it is. After they installed it, and I was playing around, to see how much it would take to make it go off. Well, I didn't want to damage my car in the process, nothing ever went off. So later, went to dealer, wondering if it was really installed properly. He advised me it doesn't go off unless someone breaks a window, or along that line. For the price, I expected much more. Also, I received no documentation with that installation, nor explanation or information regarding it. Quite expensive. So what is the "Aftermarket Strategy" of Toyota/Scion really all about? True, some of their products are good, and one would think most compatible, but a turbo that cost 'round 3K for 40 hp? etc. ? "TRD" Racing development or TGD gouge development? What is their true loyalty to their customer? A muffler for a little more than half a K? (altough is said to "sound real nice") that maybe adds 2 hp? Some TRD products might be best choice, but Trust (naivette) can also be our worst enemy, if/when we don't learn to read between the lines. Someone said in another article, in so many words, "Heck, let them steal your car if their mind is set, your insurance will pay for it." But insurance aren't going to want to pay for any, let alone all aftermarket products one may have added to car. Equation: Lost Money. In view of that, thanx for your information, and your advice is helpful.
Originally Posted by dickpeter
I would take that 500 and get an aftermarket alarm, battery backup and a hood lock.
You should be able to get that for around 500.
I bought the Viper 791xv for 220 online.
30 for battery backup.
70 for hood lock.
I don't think installation would be more than 200.
I would also install a ghost switch, this switch would have to be pressed to start the car every time.
This will slow down the person trying to steal your car.
If they want it bad enough they will get a tow truck and tow it away.
I don't think the factory alarm has an security features that a good alarm has.
No starter kill, no remote start, no ghost switch, no battery backup, no paging feature no blinking led to warn, no trunk or hood protection.
I think the only good thing about the factory alarm is that it unlocks and locks the doors. Wow all that for 500. I could buy a cheap unit to lock and unkock my doors.
YIKES!
You should be able to get that for around 500.
I bought the Viper 791xv for 220 online.
30 for battery backup.
70 for hood lock.
I don't think installation would be more than 200.
I would also install a ghost switch, this switch would have to be pressed to start the car every time.
This will slow down the person trying to steal your car.
If they want it bad enough they will get a tow truck and tow it away.
I don't think the factory alarm has an security features that a good alarm has.
No starter kill, no remote start, no ghost switch, no battery backup, no paging feature no blinking led to warn, no trunk or hood protection.
I think the only good thing about the factory alarm is that it unlocks and locks the doors. Wow all that for 500. I could buy a cheap unit to lock and unkock my doors.
YIKES!
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 45
From: ny
factory alarm
I did pay the extra 500 for my alarm back in 07,my car was just broken into friday and the alarm did not go off,i tried locking myself inside withthe doors locked and opened the door to see what happens and nothing,I dont see any indication that my alarm was even installed like a red blinking light or something,how do i know if i have it? Im going to go to the dealer tomorrow to find out.
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Big Sky Scion
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,946
From: SJ408-KC816-KS913
I did pay the extra 500 for my alarm back in 07,my car was just broken into friday and the alarm did not go off,i tried locking myself inside withthe doors locked and opened the door to see what happens and nothing,I dont see any indication that my alarm was even installed like a red blinking light or something,how do i know if i have it? Im going to go to the dealer tomorrow to find out.
You might just have the keyless entry not the alarm.Its 2 systems.Like i think it's the xa if you buy the alarm you still need to get the key things to make it work.So with the xb you should allready have the keyless entry you just swap the alarm in.
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