A few months back I had to replace my key fob, which turned out to be one with an alarm button (apparently that's all they sell now). One morning I happened to hit the alarm button out of curiousity, and what to my surprise I got flashing lights with the horn blaring. I didn't think much of it at the time, but it's been making me wonder... Would plugging in a shock sensor effectively 'complete' and enable the alarm system components already present in my car?

After reading numerous posts, articles, and my Helm manual, it appears that the only physical difference between a T/A equipped with the factory alarm and mine (with no alarm option) is the shock sensor.

I know the factory alarm is just a glorified noisemaker to some, but I figure every little bit helps. I scoured the archives already, but couldn't find a definitive answer. (I know GM wouldn't make it this simple, right..?)

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

Unpluging the shock sensor only disables the shock sensor. All other alarm functions remain intact including the key fob alarm button.

 

OK, that makes sense.

That clears things up a bit. It still seems odd that I could activate the panic mode even though my car supposedly isn't equipped with the factory alarm.