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GC Alarm?

  • Thread starter Carryon Cali Camping
  • Start date
Carryon Cali Camping

Carryon Cali Camping

VIP Member
Messages
294
Location
Lincolnshire
Vehicle
Grand California 680
Anybody know where or if my GC has an alarm? If so, do you know where the control is for the internal motion sensor? I cannot see it on the drivers side pillar and there is nothing on the infotainment system. It’s an early GC680 on a 19 plate If that makes any difference. Thanks!
 
Yes. GCs with the Discover Media head unit that is all touch screen have the motion alarm code control on the head unit. Select Car > Settings>Opening and Closing> untick interior motion sensor. This is the same is the little button on the B pillar. It doesn’t disable the tilt/movement sensor just the interior motion sensor.
 
GordonH said:
Yes. GCs with the Discover Media head unit that is all touch screen have the motion alarm code control on the head unit. Select Car > Settings>Opening and Closing> untick interior motion sensor. This is the same is the little button on the B pillar. It doesn’t disable the tilt/movement sensor just the interior motion sensor.
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Thanks, just checked the media unit and I only have window operation and Central Locking options. I do not seem to have a little button on the B pillar either, if that is the drivers side pillar where the seat belt is housed?image.jpg
 
Looks like an older head unit. Yes B pillar is one with seatbelts in it. Little button should be on lower right hand (UK driver) B pillar. If not then perhaps your GC hasn’t got the interior motion sensor ??
 
GordonH said:
Looks like an older head unit. Yes B pillar is one with seatbelts in it. Little button should be on lower right hand (UK driver) B pillar. If not then perhaps your GC hasn’t got the interior motion sensor ??
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Looks like that may be the situation, although I can see what looks like sensors behind the grill where they should be, but all I have is a blank button where it should be on the pillar.
 
Carryon Cali Camping said:
Looks like that may be the situation, although I can see what looks like sensors behind the grill where they should be, but all I have is a blank button where it should be on the pillar.
Click to expand...
Are you 100% sure its a UK spec van, there was someone on here last year that had a Eire spec van & that didn't come with an alarm as standard.
 
andyinluton said:
Are you 100% sure its a UK spec van, there was someone on here last year that had an Eire spec van & that didn't come with an alarm as standard.
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Yes, did a HPI check before I purchased and it’s not an import and was on a U.K. Reg.
 
Really odd if it hasn’t got an alarm as it has pretty much most accessories; driver assist, towbar, AC, sat dish, WiFi, 4motion etc.
 
So I have tried to test if it has one before looking to get a thatcham Cat1 installed. Am I right in thinking that if I lower the driver window, shut the door, lock the van with the key fob, wait a few minutes and the lean in and wave my arm around, this should activate the alarm (if it has one)?
 
Carryon Cali Camping said:
So I have tried to test if it has one before looking to get a thatcham Cat1 installed. Am I right in thinking that if I lower the driver window, shut the door, lock the van with the key fob, wait a few minutes and the lean in and wave my arm around, this should activate the alarm (if it has one)?
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Or just lock it with the fob whilst you are inside.
 
Do you think it may have an alarm, without motion? Moving around doesnt set anything off!
 
I cant remember if my GC had one, I know the T6.1s do , but is there a red LED light on the top of the drivers door near the window controls?
 
andyinluton said:
I cant remember if my GC had one, I know the T6.1s do , but is there a red LED light on the top of the drivers door near the window controls?
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Yes there is and when I lock the van it flashes quickly 4/5 times! It also flashes intermittently while it is locked….surely that is an alarm!
update - I actually think that led is just the immobiliser….I locked the van with the fob, leds flashed and then pulse…..I then used the manual key to unlock the drivers door, led still carried pulsing, then I put the key in the ignition and that’s when the led’s stopped! So I’m back to thinking that I don’t have an alarm!
 
Last edited:
Carryon Cali Camping said:
Yes there is and when I lock the van it flashes quickly 4/5 times! It also flashes intermittently while it is locked….surely that is an alarm!
update - I actually think that led is just the immobiliser….I locked the van with the fob, leds flashed and then pulse…..I then used the manual key to unlock the drivers door, led still carried pulsing, then I put the key in the ignition and that’s when the led’s stopped! So I’m back to thinking that I don’t have an alarm!
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I’ve booked to have a thatcham Cat1 alarm installed on Friday morning!
 
Only other test that I can think of is that on a T6.1 it warns that if you unlock the van using the key not the fob & open the Bonnet without first putting the key in the ignition the alarm will sound. Does the GC manual say the same - its in the locking section rather than the alarm bit.
 
It does say that the alarm will be activated if you manually unlock the drivers door without putting the key in the ignition, which I have done and no alarm was activated. But I may as well go and try the bonnet also when opening the door manually!
 
I have an early 680(2020)that does not have the button on the pillar or the option in the head unit to disable internal sensors. Try pressing the lock button on the fob twice in quick succession. This seems to do the trick. I’ve been on three ferries in the outer Hebrides this week and while many car alarms were going off constantly mine was not.
 
I couldn’t open the bonnet as the latch is secured by the passenger door which cannot be manually opened, only the drivers door can. The fact that I have no sensor deactivation button on the drivers pillar, i think is one of the main factors along with locking the van with the window down and waving my arm inside and also manually unlocking the drivers door and opening it would suggest there is no alarm?
 
Grand Cali Pete said:
I have an early 680(2020)that does not have the button on the pillar or the option in the head unit to disable internal sensors. Try pressing the lock button on the fob twice in quick succession. This seems to do the trick. I’ve been on three ferries in the outer Hebrides this week and while many car alarms were going off constantly mine was not.
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Thanks for the reply, but I cannot even seem to know whether I have an alarm or not, how do you know that you have motion sensors?
 
However, I have just held off from getting an after market alarm installed for now. Probably need to drive it down to my nearest VW Van Centre and see if they can tell me!
 
We have a 2019 GC680 it only had factory immobiliser, no internal sensors or audible alarm, it was a early VW demo vehicle it also had continental plugs these where changed to 3 pin by the selling VW dealership
 
markicp said:
We have a 2019 GC680 it only had factory immobiliser, no internal sensors or audible alarm, it was a early VW demo vehicle it also had continental plugs these where changed to 3 pin by the selling VW dealership
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Many thanks, that’s what VW van centre in Birmingham suggested without being able to confirm when I spoke to them earlier today. I do have all 3 pin sockets fitted apart from one above the kitchen unit, maybe they were previously changed like yours. I deffo think it’s a demo vehicle due to the high spec it has elsewhere. I’m sorted now by taking out a tracker subscription as I had the details from previous owner. My insurance requires either Cat1 alarm or Tracker and I’ve just informed them with no issues. Appreciate your reply, that’s put my mind at rest now.
 
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