Just a guess, but it is probably the Engine immobilizer light

 

From toyota.com

The engine immobilizer is a state-of-the-art anti-theft system. When you insert your key into the ignition switch or bring a Smart Key fob into the vehicle, the key transmits an electronic code to the vehicle. The engine will only start if the code in the transponder chip inside the key or Smart Key fob matches the code in the vehicle’s immobilizer. Because the transponder chip is embedded in the key or Smart Key fob, it can be costly to replace. If you lose a key or Smart Key fob, your Toyota dealer can help.

 

Ya its just the engine immobilizer. There is no bells and whistles that go off if someone forcefully opens your door or smashes your window...

You can however buy one from the dealer. It has the glass breakage sensor etc... and will sound an alarm. Its the VIP Alarm System

p/n PT398-02081

Also your car may have come with something like "Global I" or a similar system. It won't stop people from breaking your window and stealing your iPod, but it will deter them from putting your car on a flat bed and driving away with it.

 

if our cars dont have an alarm system i dont know why people were having problems installing a remote starter in my car one place said they have to put a system that bypasses my factory alarm....other place said you already have a factory alarm and dont need another one. dammit! i only paid for the remote starter anyway but still i could've gotten that too. lol

 

You can easily test the alarm system. Start up the car to open the drivers's window. Shut off the car and remove the key. Stand outside your car. Lock all the doors. Which will arm your alarm if you have one. Reach into the driver's window and open the car from the inside handle without unlocking the car. If you have an alarm, you'll hear it. If you just have an open door, ... Time to decide if you want an alarm.

 

The owners manual should have an explanation with illustration on the factory installed immobilizer/alarm system. One or two ICONS depicted on the red light housing.

 

to those who think they have an alarm do let us know.

 

I have the VIP Alarm on my Corolla...it has a separate red light and it was mounted on the driver's side panel, and INDEPENDENT of the other Security light.

 

I also have the VIP Alarm.

 

are those VIP alarms intalled before you bought them or were they installed after with you asking them to put it on?

 

The VIP alarms are either PIO or DIO, port-installed option or dealer-installed option. They are not installed on the factory line. My Corolla had it installed at the dealer, since the lady at Toyota forgot to add the option code to my order at the time I placed my vehicle order :headbang:

 

It already had it.

 

I have the Factory Alarm unit. Its just a cheap Auto-Mate system. Well atleast it does what an alarm should do. But i wished it didn't flash my low beams. ugh time to figure out how to rewire or reprogram this thing...

 

are those toyota VIP alarms really that sensitive. i ask this because our 1996 honda accord vehicle alarm is one of the finest car alarms i have seen. when ever some leans back on the car the alarm goes off. or if a basketball either bounces on the sides or on top of the car the alarm goes off. even a squirrel or a racoon jumping on the hood or the roof or the trunk the alarm goes off. i like an alarm that is very senstive to those things.

my 09 corolla didnt come with an alarm and i inquired at an automotive shop and they recommended the best (according to them it is the best) they have but it has a hefty price of CAD$1200.

 

Visions electronics quoted me about $800 for a really good 2 way alarm and remote starter system.

 

Greetings,

While not related to the initial query here, I guess it best falls under Corolla Security System topic. So here goes:

I've had my '09 Corolla S for about a month now. Great car for me! To the point: The other night I was standing outside talking to a friend after work. I anticipated getting in the car soon, and it was in plain sight, so I unlocked it remotely. I continued conversing with my friend. Then, a few minutes later (not sure how long, maybe 5 or less) the car re-locked itself. Nice feature. Car (correctly) presumes since it was locked and was then unlocked but door never opened in a period of time, then unlocking was a mistake, and it re-locks. Ok... I get it. But here's a question: If I stop the car, and I DON'T lock it, and just walk away, will the car lock itself after a certain period of time? I haven't had a chance to test this yet. I'd like to know before I just presume it will, leave my corporate laptop in the backseat and forget to lock it! :bash: I guess I can test it in my driveway but I figured someone here might KNOW off the top of their head.

Thanks!

 

But here's a question: If I stop the car, and I DON'T lock it, and just walk away, will the car lock itself after a certain period of time?

No.

 

There is a sensitivity knob on the VIP system. But i really like Clifford 2 way alarms. Those are the most sensitive alarms i have seen.

 

But i really like Clifford 2 way alarms. Those are the most sensitive alarms i have seen.

please explain why?