Factory Alarm System ??

[LannyL81]

I would like to install an alarm system on my newly acquired CE, and would like to get one from GM. Was a factory alarm system an option or was this a dealer installed option?

Or are there better aftermarket alarms I should use?

Thanks again,
LannyL81

 

[LT4man]

As far as I know, ALL 96 Corvettes came with, as standard equipment, an alarm system. The system could be armed with either the key fob or the door lock key.

As an added feature, the ignition lock cylinder has to see a key with the specific resistor for that specific car. If you try to hotwire the ignition in any way, the fuel pump and starter are disabled.

Save The Wave!

 

[B17Crew]

LannyL81,
Just received my June issue of Corvette Fever. Pages 20 to 35 have been dedicated to Corvette alarms.

Security for your Corvette (pages 20-28)

Keeping the Faith C3-C5 Factory Corvette Alarms and Antitheft Systems (30-25)

You may want to skip over the side bar, Questions and Answer -- Interview With A Car Thief (page 28). Makes me think why bother with aftermarket alarms; if a “professional” targets your car, sounds like he’s getting it.

B17Crew

 

[LannyL81]

I know about the resistor in the ignition key, and I see the "SECURITY" flash on my dash when the door is opened, but the horn has never sounded (probably good thing as I have no idea how to shut it off!!!!)

I did not get a key fob with this car, can I get one from the dealer?

I have an Owner's Manual on its way to me, hopefully it will give me further details as to how this alarm system works.

Thanks,
LannyL81

 

[LT4man]

Yes, I believe you can still get the key fob from the dealer. The owners manual will tell you how to program the fob. The horn should blow when someone trips the alarm. That is the part you are going to have to investigate! Good luck!

Save The Wave!

 

[Tuna]

The security light should flash after you remove the ignition key and open the door. Use the electric door locks to 'arm' the system - the security light should stay on steady. Once the door is shut, the system is armed. Same thing works with the key fob - depending on whether you have the car set for passive locking or active locking - get a fob and manual.

If you want to test the alarm, try this:
Leave one window down,
open the door and get out,
Lock the doors with the electric door lock switch - note the security light go steady,
shut the door,
reach inside and unlock the door and open it.

Have your key ready to de-activate system.

 

[LannyL81]

Hey thanks for the info on the alarm system....yep it works just fine. Now I just need to get a couple of the remotes and I"ll be all set. Well after I get the passenger side power seat working...


Many thanks,
LannyL81
Tucson, AZ

 

[novafink]

You can still get the key fob, I just got one from the dealer last week, they are a better design than the originals, you are looking at $108 to $140, I got a deal so mine was $108, depends on how close you are with the local parts guy.

 

[96vetteLT4]

I give you guys some info..I'm a retired Sergeant from Baltimore County Police (retired 2 years ago)and in my 25 years of service as both an officer and supervisor my guys took a total of 3 theft of vehicle reports related to corvettes, Thefts of vettes are extremely rare so I guess the alarms from the factory and other things are doing something right. I kept track of these since i've had a vette since I was 17 and I was always curious why the theft of vettes was so rare. Our Metro Vehicle theft unit which was run state wide also had the corvette as the least stolen vehicle in the state. Also as another tidbit of info the vette ranked the lowest of all vehicles that we kept stats on as being in the fewest number of collisions.

 

[Tuna]

I give you guys some info..I'm a retired Sergeant from Baltimore County Police (retired 2 years ago)and in my 25 years of service as both an officer and supervisor my guys took a total of 3 theft of vehicle reports related to corvettes, Thefts of vettes are extremely rare so I guess the alarms from the factory and other things are doing something right. I kept track of these since i've had a vette since I was 17 and I was always curious why the theft of vettes was so rare. Our Metro Vehicle theft unit which was run state wide also had the corvette as the least stolen vehicle in the state. Also as another tidbit of info the vette ranked the lowest of all vehicles that we kept stats on as being in the fewest number of collisions.

I've had a hunch that this was/is true and all the areas that I have lived. Thanks for the info.

 

[shawn tallent]

You would be better off just buying an aftermarket alarm.When I purchased my 96 it came with no remote , replacement cost for 1 remote was 140.00.I purchased a prestige alarm installed for 250.00.It covers glass breakage, if the hood , hatch or doors open ,shock sensors ( if somebody try's to get your wheels ) , 2 remotes this is just a few of the options.GO AFTERMARKET!!!!The stock system only covers if the doors are opened.

 

[LannyL81]

On ebay last week was an item; "Add motion sensor to your GM factory alarm" I wrote to the seller and asked about instructions with it and the reply was, "typical GM product, no instructions." I did not buy it, it was only $40, but I still passed on it.

Has anyone added something like this to their factory alarm?

I did get a remote off of ebay.....wow is that nice!!

But like was stated....it only works if a door or the rear glass is opened.

LannyL81
Tucson, AZ

 

[b1u3m3th]

what years did they offer the key fob for the vettes?

 

[Wake]

You can still get the key fob, I just got one from the dealer last week, they are a better design than the originals, you are looking at $108 to $140, I got a deal so mine was $108, depends on how close you are with the local parts guy.

Better design in what way???