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The Security System Question, Again!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by TNPrius1, Jul 17, 2005.

  1. TNPrius1

    TNPrius1 New Member

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    I am getting ready to order my new Prius and I have to declare my options and am having some difficulties. The only thing that I am undecided on is the security system. The more I read the less I understand. Toyota has made this topic so confusing that my dealer doesn't even understand what the various security system descriptions mean.

    I know the alarm system topic has been discussed numerous times and I have read many different threads regarding the issue but I still am confused! Maybe I am just making this harder than it is, but here goes.

    On a 2005 Prius, package 4, there is no security system listed (nor is one listed on the base model). I understand that this hardware (most of it, anyway) is already in place but just not yet activated. Is it correct then to say that an '05 with package 4 has no functional security system, as such?

    Accessory V5, the RS3200 VIP Plus Security Upgrade comes in around $250. If there is no functional security to begin with, then in what way is this an "upgrade"? Am I missing something or is this the option that consists merely of enabling this functionality with a special scan tool? If so, is it the general belief that some dealers, salespeople, and/or service techs can and will perform this function for little or no money?

    I think that I've got the GBS part, that's pretty clear cut (don't do this before the scan tool enabling of the security or it makes it more difficult).

    Now, what is the "passive alarm". I printed the instructions for "the dance" but I'm not sure to what it applies and when or why I should do it (other than if the mood stirkes).

    Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to give me!
     
  2. BobR

    BobR Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TNPrius1\";p=\"107949)</div>
    I have a Package 4 2005 Prius and have looked into adding the alarm. As far as I can tell, there are two parts that need to be installed, the V5 Wiring harness and the Glass Breakage Sensor. From what I read, even with these installed, the alarm must be turned on via the scan tool.
    I've called a few of the dealers in my area, Philadelphia, and the cheapest I have found is $377 with the highest being over $500. So if you can get the alarm installed for $250, I'd say you are getting a relatively good deal.

    Bob
     
  3. TNPrius1

    TNPrius1 New Member

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    Toyota's MSRP for the V5 add-on is is $249 and the glass breakage sensor option (V2) is $165. I was actually pricing the V5 without the GBS, which the dealer is quoting at MSRP. If there is hardware to install I am less apprehensive to spend the money but if it's just a matter of using the scan tool then I might be a little more demanding when I discuss the issue with my salesman. Since I haven't yet signed the papers, I thought that now was the best time to negotiate the deal :)

    So, there is no functional alarm in any fashion unless you get the V5 package, correct?

    Thanks
     
  4. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    [font=Comic Sans MS:5c9928d98e]ALL Prii have the electronics and circuitry for the alarm system. The electronics have the alarm programmed OFF in some option packages, giving the dealer the ability to sell you an alarm system by using their scan tool to turn it ON.

    The Glass Breakage Sensor is an accessory for all alarm systems. When adding it to a Prius which does not normally have an alarm, it necessitates the activation of the alarm system with the scan tool, which the dealer may or may not charge for; they will charge for the GSB hardware and wiring.

    By default, the alarm system (when activated by package or dealer) becomes ready to blast the horn when the doors are actively locked. When you lock your doors, you set the alarm. The electronics can be programmed to automatically set the alarm after a period of time, even though the doors are not locked; this is the passive alarming you have the dance for. [/font:5c9928d98e]
     
  5. TNPrius1

    TNPrius1 New Member

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    I see. Thanks very much. The final question, I promise! I have seen references made to the "instructions" for activating the V5 alarm using the scan tool. I mentioned this to my salesperson and he looked very confused.

    Others have mentioned that they have printed these instructions off and taken them with them to the dealer and gotten the alarm activated for free. I have looked in the file download area for the instructions and have scanned the forums but I can't seem to find them. Can anyone point me in the right direction so that I can print these off and take them in with me when I go to order the car?

    Again, thanks!
     
  6. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    in a TSB I think

    [font=Comic Sans MS:6a1af257c6]I think the "instructions" are in a TSB. Salespeople frequently look confused when you know more than they do. I wish I could give you a direct reference to the TSB by number, but I can't.[/font:6a1af257c6]
     
  7. phileFriendly

    phileFriendly New Member

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    When I got my 2005 package 4 alarm enabled, I just followed the steps in this link

    Here they are to save you the trouble of the looking through the thread:

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kyle Pehrson\";p=\"69664)</div>
    This was completely cryptic to me, but I gave those 3 instructions to the guy at the service department, and he hopped in my car with his scan tool (it looks kind of like those UPS package signing computers), plugged it into the car, did those 3 steps, and the alarm was enabled!

    You can test that it is active by giving somebody else the key while you're inside, having them lock the car from outside, then wait 30 seconds and try to unlock and open the door manually. The alarm should go off.
     
  8. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(phileFriendly\";p=\"108082)</div>
    [font=Comic Sans MS:72eabf3de4]Thanks phileFriendly, I know someone would have the steps.

    Another way to check the alarm, if you don't have a friend handy who wants to hear the alarm blast, is to open the windows, close and lock the doors, wait a minute (OK 30 sec), then reach in the open window and open the door from the inside. WAHH WAHH WAHH WAHH...

    Just don't have the fob too far away.[/font:72eabf3de4]
     
  9. TNPrius1

    TNPrius1 New Member

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    Sounds good to me. Thanks for the help, I now have something to take with me when I go negotiate the purchase of my new Prius tomorrow! Thanks again everybody!

    Jon
     
  10. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    [font=Comic Sans MS:1de8dce7bb]Have fun Jon. Don't buy the extended warranty from the dealer; a better deal here and PriusChat benefits. I'd advise against the pre-paid maintenance too. [/font:1de8dce7bb]
     
  11. coolbreezeny

    coolbreezeny New Member

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    Bill,
    You'd advise against the pre-paid maintenance plan at any price? if so, why? Thanks.
     
  12. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    [font=Comic Sans MS:533421852b]I didn't say "at any price". If they throw free oil changes into your purchase price, go for it. :D

    An every 5000 mile oil change, tire rotation, and brake/drive train inspection are the maintenance your Prius needs to 30K miles, at which point you add replacing the engine and cabin air filters. Same routine to 60K and 90K miles. At 120K miles you also replace the spark plugs. You can look at the Prius Maintenance manual on the Toyota web site.

    At a generous $30 for oil change, tire rotation, and inspection, and $30 for filters and $50 for plugs, that comes to $680 for 120K miles of maintenance. Now the dealer may tell you that "the 15K maintenance is $150 all by itself", but that's what they would try to sell you, not what Toyota requires. And if you want to run synthetic oil and have bought pre-paid maintenance, you'll have to pay extra for that oil every visit.

    Will you keep your Prius for 120K miles? Is the maintenance contract transferrable? If you trade your Prius in at the dealer on a new model in 2010, will they give the buyer the remainder of your maintenance contract, give you a refund, or keep the change? This doesn't even consider the cost of money when they have your money up front and you don't. For goodness sake, don't finance the maintenance!

    Those are some of the reasons I advise you not to buy prepaid maintenance. Many on here have found it easy to do the oil changes themselves, keeping the receipts for oil and filter with their maintenance records for warranty reasons. Even if you aren't handy or don't want to do your own changes, it's usually pretty easy to beat the dealer's price.[/font:533421852b]
     
  13. coolbreezeny

    coolbreezeny New Member

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    Thanks for your analysis of the pre-paid maintenance plans.

    Back to the alarm question, here's a copy of what I PMed to Kyle a little while ago; perhaps other people can respond as well:
    ___________________
    I'm a new Prius owner (picking up today). When I went to the dealer today to pick up the car, I asked about turning on the alarm (per Kyle's 3 step method with scan tool). The sales manager said "Sure, anything to help." When my salesman came back after visiting the service department, he said the techs and service mgr said that it couldn't be done with my car (Base Model) because it doesn't have Smart Key and therefore my car does not have the RS3200. Is this on the level or BS?
     
  14. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    [font=Comic Sans MS:8ef541400c]What, your car is missing the Blaminator? Maybe they left off the Whatzedoodle too!

    Try another dealer...[/font:8ef541400c]
     
  15. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    All Prius have the alarm available. Its part of the body ECU. SKS has nothing to do with it.
     
  16. Prius-a-rama

    Prius-a-rama New Member

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    Hi I posted this in another section:

    "I've a question about the glass breakage sensor:

    I have it installed on my 2005, but I read the manual to test it and can't get it to do the pre-alarm honking & light flash when I tap the glass. I've pounded fairly loudly on the drivers side window as instructed and still nothing. I don't want to break it and I read in the Prius chat car pick up list that its default is "off." Either the sensitivity on my alarm is way low, the alarm is at the default "off" or I paid for something I didn't get but was given the manual for giggles.

    Is there something I can look at in the car to check if it is indeed installed and turned on properly? Or maybe to turn it's sensitivity higher? I know people ignore alarms, but if the pre alarm honking goes off as someones hitting the glass, I figure it may scare them off before they get a really good hit in to actually break the glass. Of course it'd be useless if they break it on the first try."

    So would I be charged to have it turned on with the UPS-thing even though I paid for it?! I'm far from the dealer I bought it from, but wouldn't a warranty mean any dealer would have to turn it on (I've only owned the Prius for acouple of months)?
     
  17. Mt View

    Mt View Member

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    I have a package 4 and I bought a GBS+ package for $82.80 and my dealer enabled the alarm and GBS for $98. I had to go out to the Toyota documents to get the instructions to install the GBS, cut a yellow wire, and tell the Toyota techs how to enable everything with the scan tool.
     
  18. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    You can test to see if the alarm itself is enabled by following the test instructions on page 45.
    Basically leave the driver door window down. Power off, lock all doors and close all doors. Wait 30 seconds. Open the driver door from the inside without unlocking (the door will manually unlock as you try to open it).
    If the alarm goes off, then the alarm was turned on. Have the dealer check that the GBS feature was also turned on, as it is a separate setting.
    If not, the dealer needs to turn it on, or cut that yellow wire before he can turn it on. While he is at it, check that GBS is also on.
     
  19. mswhealer

    mswhealer New Member

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    I have tried the dance and I get the "answer-back" when trying to activate the passive mode of the alarm, but it is not working. I do all the stuff on the left hand column of the dance from this thread, and then after the first "anser-back" move over to the right column to over the door 4 times to get it to go off after 14 seconds. I get the answer-back but no luck getting the alarm to go off. Any idea what I am doing wrong?
     
  20. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    Are you waiting long enough after closing all doors with the car powered down?
    Does the alarm itself work at least when the car is locked and you wait 30 minutes?
    How are you trying to trip the alarm?

    I believe the immobilizer symbol will go steady when the alarm goes into the time delay, and will start blinking again when fully armed. That arming delay I believe is 30 seconds. Once tampering is detected, then the entry delay has to elapse before the alarm sounds.

    So, turn the car off, close all doors. Wait 45 seconds. Open door, wait 45 seconds. Alarm should be going off now.