Hi,

For 3rd gens with the factory alarm system, is installing a new alarm simply a matter of removing the factory alarm and wiring the new alarm to the same wires the factory one used?

And does the 3rd gen have a transponder in the key which would make remote start installation a bit more difficult?

The factory alarm is located inside the circuitry of the BEM. It cannot be removed, it cannot be bypassed. You can add to it however.

Yes, the chipped key makes remote start difficult. Nothing people haven't evercome before.

Mike

Do you think it's possible to install an alarm DIY having never installed one before?

I noticed the factory alarm has no back up battery, no shock sensor and no hood protection. So it seems extremely easy to be able to disconnect the battery and the car is unsecured.
Not to mention so long as the doors are not opened the alarm will not go off anyway, so just a broken window is all it takes

Do you think it's possible to install an alarm DIY having never installed one before?

I noticed the factory alarm has no back up battery, no shock sensor and no hood protection. So it seems extremely easy to be able to disconnect the battery and the car is unsecured.
Not to mention so long as the doors are not opened the alarm will not go off anyway, so just a broken window is all it takes

The alarm does have hood protection.

All those sensors are made by DEI and can be easily added. I know this because they were in my car.

Also at the end of the day, reality provides perspective. Alarms beep and make flashing lights. If someone wants your car that badly, they will take it. This is why insurance is available.

Mike

Do you think it's possible to install an alarm DIY having never installed one before?

I noticed the factory alarm has no back up battery, no shock sensor and no hood protection. So it seems extremely easy to be able to disconnect the battery and the car is unsecured.
Not to mention so long as the doors are not opened the alarm will not go off anyway, so just a broken window is all it takes


OK/
Try this:
Wind down the driver's window, then lock the car.
Now reach in and pull the hood latch. OOPS!
(Or try opening the door from inside through the open window, OOPS! again. lol)

Anyhow . . . play around with it, the standard alarm isn't so bad.

I am not worried about the car being stolen. It is insured for more than double of what I paid for it.
What I am worried about is my audio system being stolen.

I popped the hood and my alarm didn't seem to care.

And also it seems anyone who is familiar with these cars (and I assume regular thieves know these cars well) would know that all they have to do is break the window and climb in and out of the window without opening doors.

I have considered adding either shock sensor or microwave sensor to the factory alarm. Is there a plug designated for something like this?

I am not worried about the car being stolen. It is insured for more than double of what I paid for it.
What I am worried about is my audio system being stolen.

I popped the hood and my alarm didn't seem to care.

And also it seems anyone who is familiar with these cars (and I assume regular thieves know these cars well) would know that all they have to do is break the window and climb in and out of the window without opening doors.

I have considered adding either shock sensor or microwave sensor to the factory alarm. Is there a plug designated for something like this?

No, because then a theif could simply unplug it.

Mike

How would it be wired in then?
Use an existing wire for a door sensor etc and splice it in?

How would it be wired in then?
Use an existing wire for a door sensor etc and splice it in?

Direct to the BEM connections

As Mike said, wired to the BEM. I have a DEI-506T glass break sensor which also picks up any loud noise like car park prangs etc. It is hooked up to the BEM to trigger the drivers door unlock, much like if someone tries to unlock the door from the inside, as MadMax mentioned. Works perfectly. Got it installed after 3 cars were broken into at work where they smashed the drivers windows and climbed through and did lots of damage. Each of those cars have factory alarm and immob. Do a search on here for my post on what I did. A generic DEI-506T is not that expensive on eBay.

Do you think this brings up the cars security to an acceptable level considering the audio gear is somewhat expensive in it?

Only time will tell. the mic is very visible glued to to windscreen near the base of the drivers side A pillar. just have to rattle the keys against the glass to set it off. Sneezing with the window down will also set it off. the sensitivity can be adjusted as the screeching as the panel lift door goes up and down does not set it off even with the windows down.

Do you think this brings up the cars security to an acceptable level considering the audio gear is somewhat expensive in it?

Why not add the audio gear to your insurance?

The standard DEI-506T is very easy to add to the BEM. Just get a 5 pin relay and use the NC (87a) pin to feed power to the unit with pin 30 to constant 12V and use the ignition source to switch the relay so that the unit turns on as soon as the ignition is off (could use a delay on timer for it as well to match the factory 20 seconds). The trigger wire is then tapped into the drivers door unlock wire to the BEM using two diodes, one for the trigger wire and one for the original wire to prevent mutual back flow. The hardest bit of work is to actually remove the BEM and to unclip the connector.

How do you adjust the sensitivity of the mic?
And I assume unlike an aftermarket alarm you cannot have a "warn away" function?
Did you consider microwave sensors rather than the microphone?


MadMax, the audio gear will be added to the insurance (once it's in) but I still have a $500 excess and regardless I feel prevention is a better cure.
Though what I really want is piece of mind. The car is stock and I don't think it attracts unwanted attention. I remember another car of mine which was heavily modified I was constantly worried about rims being stolen, seats etc, and the ownership of that car became a nightmare as all I did was worry about it.

what audio gear have you got in it that has you so worried ?

How do you adjust the sensitivity of the mic?

Did you consider microwave sensors rather than the microphone?


Most pieces will have a dial on them to adjust the sensitivity.

Microwave sensors are good but only good once someone or something is actually in the car.

When I bought my Verada, many years ago, I installed $3k of Pioneer HU, TV,Camera,DVD and Bluetooth. This stuff was brand new tech back then (7 years ago). Not like now when a touch screen is fairly ordinary.

Seriously, get a sensor, for you I would have it installed, and then get the insurance lowered because you have extra security. Finish worrying about something outside of your control. Also, for all DEI adjustments, google is your friend. You can look it up on DEI website.

To answer all questions (and the forthcoming possible questions) at once:

The factory alarm triggers off the boot light, interior light, door locks, bonnet switch, and the remote panic function.
It is fairly limited like any factory alarm.
You can add any system to it of course, because of the way it is designed.
You cannot bypass it,
You cannot disable it without taking off several other features of the car
You can get DEI gear to add to the alarm,
You can get DEI gear information from the DEI website,
You SHOULD!!!!! get an autoelectrician to install this for you, because you are so unsure about the how, why and what.
You MUST not stress about things outside of your control. Given your extreme concerns with security, perhaps park very far away from places that could provide problems, or take public transport. That would be the most secure.
I'm not meaning to be patronizing here, but it is rather silly asking "what if" style questions on a forum. 'What if' is actually endless possibilities.

"What if" peace of mind is so important to you, and the constant worry about having your car vandalised and gutted audio wise is about to sent you to an early grave?

Solution: Just install a cheap CD player in the car, that no one will look at twice.

Works for me anyway. lol

Alternatively, fill the car with expensive audio, and get yourself a lock up garage with it's own alarm system. And high fences. And a guard dog.

Look at it this way don't advertise the sound system, install parts with torx or security screws, a flashing led on the dash can help advertise that you do have an alarm, get darker window tint etc.

I installed my own two way paging alarm. On a TF advance (no factory alarm)

Has a knock sensor, led flasher, alarm all that stuff. Cost me $90 and took me 4 hours to fit neatly all tucked away and hidden.

I only did this though because i needed remotes for my car and couldnt justify buying 2 for $150 when I could have an alarm fitted by myself for under that

Is it possible to add a back up siren to the factory alarm?

Is it possible to add a back up siren to the factory alarm?

No. You would have to install a piggyback alarm with a capacitor of some sort.