OEM alarm...dealer has to activate?

[Dennis]

Anyone know the features of the alarm.

[Dennis]

Thanks, I think I was typing as you made your post.

[TundraScout]

A glass breakage sensor is still needed to protect the contents of the truck and a hood switch to protect the engine compartment, whereas the "Freebee" security system only protects the whole truck from being stolen.

I had my dealer activate it for me after I brought in some instructions.
Its pretty cool though - if you sit in it, and lock the doors with the remote (required to have one to have it activated), then wait for the red security light to start blinking again, you have set the alarm while you are sitting in it.

Then, try opening the door - good luck, lol.
The door locks- opens and unopens repeatedly, effectively holding whomever is in the truck, in the truck.

[goneballistic]

I called around about this today. Every dealer I called in this area, including where I bought my truck, were completely clueless about this. No shouting matches erupted, but it took some extensive convincing on my part that this OEM alarm was for real. Did find out that the 6 cylinder models don't have this feature.
After they got some info on the alarm, my dealer's service department agreed to initialize the alarm for free. The GBS, however, was quoted to me as $275, installed. At first they didn't even know that was an option. I think I'll wait awhile on that one. The one other service department I was able to convince about this alarm concurred on that GBS price.

Great info, mhadden! I was getting set to have Best Buy or someone install an alarm.
Thanks!

[Impelled]

I'm going in on Mon for an oil change and the recall notice (prop shaft). I called my salesman to ask him about the alarm, and if they'd give me a freebie. He was convinced there was not a factory alarm on this Tundra. I convinced him to go back in the sercive area and check it out for me. He found a guy that works on the Hybrid's that knew about it.....their going to activate mine.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by guapo

I took my truck in today to have them check my alternator to see if it was working correctly. Since we all have guages, where does you needle sit on the guage when it is running, mine is just to the left of the center. I was thinking it was not working. Since I turned on all the stuff in the truck and the needle did not go towards the +. The dealer said it was working right.

On the other note: I asked the service tech if they could turn on the alarm. He did it for free. He said this would give him time to play with one of the new tundra's. He explained that when you double click the key fob the little red truck light with the key in it would glow steady red for 14 seconds. It would then start to flash. This tells you that the alarm is actviated. To test turn it on with a window open and the key out of the ignition. Then reach in and open the door thru the window, the horn will start and the lights will flash.

Mine was activated when I bought the truck. Funny thing when I brought it in to get the pass mirror done and a front end alignment. They finish the mirror in less than 45 minutes and the service guy rolled the drivers window down and parked in front waiting for the alignment rack to be cleared. The service advisor came out to move the truck up opened the door and whammo bammo noise all over. He jumped back not expecting this and couldn't find the keys to turn it off. The embarrassment on his face was funny to see.

[SybErkRimInAL]

Do all of the trucks come equipped with an alarm? I don't think mine has one. My keychain just has lock/unlock and a panic button. If I go to the dealer, can I just ask them to activate the alarm and should have no problems? How much will this run me? I really need to add an alarm. Eventually I'll get a lojack installed.

[goneballistic]

If I go to the dealer, can I just ask them to activate the alarm and should have no problems? How much will this run me?

You might want to call 1rst. I called 5 local Toyota dealerships, nobody knew what I was talking about. Finally convinced 2 of them to check on it. Mine is scheduled to be activated Wed. But now, the tech is supposed to call me tomorrow to "discuss my truck". Well, the tech changing my oil isn't calling me to "discuss my truck", so I think I know what that means. He probably will tell me I have to get a GB sensor installed to initialize the alarm, or some other BS. Whereupon I am going to provide the alarm initialization instructions. See pages 10-17.

Most of the dealers in the know are charging $20-$60 to initialize the alarm. I'm getting this one done for free. If not at my dealer, then at the other one I was able to convince to check on this. They want one to practice on, so they can charge everyone else $49.95. Seems I'm the only one in this area to bring this up. About 2.7 million people live in this area.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by SybErkRimInAL

Do all of the trucks come equipped with an alarm? I don't think mine has one. My keychain just has lock/unlock and a panic button. If I go to the dealer, can I just ask them to activate the alarm and should have no problems? How much will this run me? I really need to add an alarm. Eventually I'll get a lojack installed.

First of all if your truck has one ask your dealer to activate it. It shouldn't cost you since it never was activated. Insist on this. If this is a product that came with your truck they need to help you with it since you knew nothing about it or the salesman forgot to mention it. Have your salesman get involved with this. BTW I had lowjack in my F-150. They don't let you know where they put there computer and I think it's a 2 year deal with them and then it costs you more for it.

[Impelled]

Got mine activated today, for free. One guy in the service area knew about it. He educated all the mechanics. I was up front talking to the salesmen, educating them. Got the recall prop shaft checked out and a free oil change too boot! I did purchase the rear seat storage compartment. Easiest install I've ever done.

[Mickey]

Forgot to mention I have on both the driver's side and passanger side windows (audible Toyota alarm). So check your windows and if you have this you definitely got the alarm and have them activate this at no cost.

[weird22person]

Would there be something similar to this on an 04? Ive got keyless entry but it doesn't seam to have any alarm features.

[valant]

You have an OEM alarm IF :

You own a 07-08 5.7 V8 Tundra.
Immobilizer Key system.
Keyless entry.
You could make you light flash and horn honk when pressing panic.

IF you meet all the above you have the OEM alarm.
FJ Cruisers do not APPLY!

I set out with a plan and a story.

I wanted to make sure my Immobilizer was working, because it was acting weird (not true but hey). Hey while your there could you RE-activate my alarm, it has stopped working.

I went the Cerritos Toyota, they know what I was talking about, but wanted $95. I'm not going to pay for something of such nature as this. It should be free!

Went to Norwalk Toyota, same story. Tech checked my blinking light on the dash told me my Immobilizer is working,

This is the conversation :

me : Umm yes I need you to check to make sure my Immobilizer is working properly.

tech : Sure no problem, can I have your keys?

me : sure! here you go sir.

tech : -lock the doors, looks @ blinking light on dash- Well its working.

me : great could you reactivate my alarm it hasn't been working.

tech : Your alarm ?

me : YES my alarm, a tech told me to disconnect my battery to reset my ECU so that it would accept the key when I was having problems with the immobilizer, ever sense then my alarm doesn't work.

tech : -with a dumb face- Alarm huh, let me call the dealer you bought your truck from. Give me a minute.....

tech : Dealer told me to look for a LED and a brain box. -so he looks- I can't find anything. Are you sure you have an alarm?

me : YES I'm positive! IT was working before! The dealer never installed a LED or a brain box so your looking for something that isn't there.

tech : well if their is no LED then their is no alarm.

me : well sir, every 07-08 Tundra with Keyless 5.7v8 has an alarm from the factory, just needs to be activated, which is done to all Limited Tundras

tech : Umm I don't think so, we would have gotten a bulliten about it, I mean we're Toyota we should know.

tech : -calls more experienced tech- have you ever heard of an alarm installed OEM that needs to be activated ?

2nd tech : Nope, I have been working on cars for 20+ years, you have no clue what your talking about sir, you have no alarm.

me : well how about some hard proof then ? I'll be back in 20.

So I go home pick up my laptop to show some TechStream instructions.

me : well i'm back and look at this - I show him my laptop-.

tech : wow! I've never seen this before, I guess your right.

me : well lets call on that other guy, he needs to see this too.

tech : -pages other guy-

2nd tech : So your back, with proof?

me : Just take a look @ this, do you read the instructions, what do they read ?

2nd tech : they tell you have to activate and or calibrate options in your truck no big deal.

me : well what about the alarm.

2nd tech : SIR! you have no alarm!

me : OK! Where is your GM.

GM walks in.........

GM : Whats seems to be the problem ?

2nd tech : Have you EVER! heard about an alarm being installed in a car and not being "activated"?

GM : Nope, it doesn't make sense, not possible!

me : well it might be stupid, might sound crazy, but it IS true.

GM : -in a sarcastic voice- well if thats the case I have a FJ cruiser and I'm activating mine.

2nd tech : -sarcastic voice- Yeah i'll do the same to my Camry.

- every one laughs, at this point I have an audience of techs -

me : Ok so i'm crazy and know nothing correct ?

Every one says no, no, no. You just don't have an alarm.

me: Well here is your chance to prove me wrong and your self right, go grab your Techstream.

2nd tech : Hmmm. walks away upset.

- now every one is @ my truck opening doors, my hood. asking questions. My truck is surrounded by techs, Mr. big tech guy walks out with this Techstream-

me : I'll stand back, do what you need to do. Just make sure you activate my alarm.

- a few mins pass, techs are hovering over the Techstream.-

2nd tech : Well I'll be Damned!

me : excuse me?

2nd tech : Every one close the doors......

beep beep, doors lock,

2nd tech : hmm the light is staying on, interesting.

-30 seconds later..... honk honk honk honk honk, lights flashing everyone just dumbfounded-

2nd tech : ****** **** **** ****

me : What! I can't hear you over my Alarm! - laughs-

2nd tech : this is crazy, I apologize, you were right.

GM : Go grab my FJ.

2nd tech : Yeah wheres my Camry.

-well I couldn't laugh harder when I told them, "well you don't have an alarm, its not going to work don't even try", they figured I was being sarcastic. They tried, it didn't work, They washed my Tundra I drove away with a smirk on my face and my pockets full and all their noses pointing down.

[guapo]

Just proves what we all know, we learn something new every day. At least when I had to take my truck in, the tech said I dont know leave it with me and let me play with the laptop hooked up. I returned and he expained to me how the alarm worked and said Thank you, I had fun learning. And by the way no charge.

[Mickey]

Also having a Limited you will have the alarm. Especially if you're in the Southeastern Region. They insist on Toyoguard. I'm glad that everyone that has one is getting the results they want. The key to this issue is "knowledge", Knowledge is power....