So, about a year ago I bought my 1997 4Runner. The guy who sold it to me stated in the ad that it had a factory alarm. When we were finalizing the deal I asked about a remote for the alarm and he said that he never had one and that you didn't need one because it automatically set when you locked the door with the key. I didn't really care at the time so I didn't think much of it. It has a security center light in the console, however it has never turned on and I can't really think of a good way to test it to see if I can set it off. Where would I look to see if I do in fact have an alarm? Thanks.

 

if you have the factory alarm there should be stickers on the window. i believe they should say V.I.P. for vehicle intrusion protection. you can also look for a black box located under the driver seat that is the alarm brain. and i have a center "toyota security" light as well. at least thats the way it is on my 98 limited. mine had a remote though, so i think you got stiffed. if you do have an alarm i would suggest instead of trying to get that system to work i would tear that out and have a nice aftermarket alarm installed. i tried to fix my factory alarm when i bought it and i quickly learned through searching that the factory alarms sucked big time. good luck. aftermarket alarm w/ keyless entry, starter kill, light flash, and ability to upgrade to remote start cost me $340 installed.

 

If you are on a smaller budget, and it is a Factory alarm try ebay for a replacement fob, they range from $25-$35 used.

 

I do have the VIP stickers and there is a black box under the driver seat. So, basically the key by itself is useless and I will need the remote for it to work?

 

i think. mine had a remote, and you can check ebay like blarchitect said and find that they did use remotes for you system. the factory system was called RS3000 (at least for a 98 limited) might use that when searching.

 

Thanks for the help. I'll research it and see what I come up with.

 

an easy way to test it is to lock your doors and roll down the windows. ( lock the doors after you get out ) either using the lock button or the keyhole. then just reach in and unlock the door by hand, dont use the switch just pull up the lock. if you have a factory alarm it will go off as soon as the door is opened. if it does indeed activate the alarm just put the key back in the door and go through the unlock cycle. if there is a factory alarm in it i am not too sure if it has a starter kill with it, if it doesnt it is pretty much pointless anyway and you should just have an aftermarket alarm installed