How does the motion sensor work?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 324
Likes: 57
From: South Dallas Tx
How does the motion sensor work?
I have my car in the shop for a few small things, and asked them to check the motion sensor. Maybe I just don't understand how it works, but when I have the top off, I thought it was supposed to set off the alarm if someone put their arm in as long as the windows were up. I had my son test this and he was able to stick his hand in both sides and unlock the door before the horn started beeping. He even tried to wave his arm around a bit. Am I missing something?
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,197
Likes: 18,052
From: DFW Area TX
Yes, it specifically does NOT work with the top off. At least on the coupes there is a small micro switch in the drivers side windshield top pin receiving hole. When the top is off, this micro switch inactivates interior the motion sensor.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,029
Likes: 2,719
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
With the targa top removed (2LT and 3LT)- If you look in the locating pin receptacle on the top-left side of the windshield frame, you'll see a tiny red/white dot. It's a micro switch that deactivates the internal motion sensor when the top is removed, theory is that GM didn't want the alarm going off when a leaf blows into the car. I wouldn't have done it that way...
I suspect that the rest of the motion sensor system stays active, so the alarm could still go off if someone starts to tow your car or jack it up.
A proper size drywall anchor, inserted carefully, will keep the switch pressed in and keep the motion system fully armed, but you run the risk of damaging the switch and the plastic piece may look rather conspicuous.
EDIT: Zymurgy types faster than me.
I suspect that the rest of the motion sensor system stays active, so the alarm could still go off if someone starts to tow your car or jack it up.
A proper size drywall anchor, inserted carefully, will keep the switch pressed in and keep the motion system fully armed, but you run the risk of damaging the switch and the plastic piece may look rather conspicuous.
EDIT: Zymurgy types faster than me.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Oct 16, 2017 at 09:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 324
Likes: 57
From: South Dallas Tx
I appreciate the information. I could see that you wouldn't want false alarms, but I wish there was a way to choose to leave it active. At least I know it's not an issue.
Thanks again. Now if they would hurry up and fix my paint issue. I've been stuck in a camaro for a week.
Thanks again. Now if they would hurry up and fix my paint issue. I've been stuck in a camaro for a week.
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,955
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 884
Likes: 256
From: Atlanta, GA
I have a coupe, my question is whether the motion sensor activated when the engine is running, for example if have a passenger in the car and leave the engine running with the passenger inside the car do I need to turn the motion sensor off ?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 594
From: Jefferson City Missouri
Yes. My wife stayed in the car with the engine running and she did no have her fob. She tried to shoo a fly away and set the alarm off. Fortunately I was only about 60 feet away so I could shut off the alarm.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,913
Likes: 555
From: Scottsdale AZ
A proper size drywall anchor with a rounded nose inserted in the hole will keep the switch pressed in and keep the motion system fully armed. Zero risk of damage because its the same hole the roof pin goes in. Colored mine with a black marker and I keep it in the center console, use it all the time - no problem.
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,955
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
No. If the car is running, the alarm is not going to set.
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; Jul 28, 2019 at 10:40 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 437
Likes: 253
From: Barnegat NJ
I hope this helps
Inclination Sensor and
Intrusion Sensor
In addition to the standard theft-deterrent system features, this system may also have an inclination sensor and intrusion sensor.The Inclination sensor can set off the alarm if it senses movement of the vehicle, such as a change in vehicle orientation. The intrusion sensor monitors the vehicle interior, and can activate the alarm if it senses unauthorized entry into the vehicle’s interior. Do not allow passengers or pets to remain in the vehicle when the intrusion sensor is activated. Before arming the theft-deterrent system and activating the intrusion sensor:.
Make sure both doors and
windows are completely closed..
Secure any loose items such as sunshades.
.
Intrusion and Inclination
Sensors Disable Switch
It is recommended that the intrusion and inclination sensors be deactivated if pets are left in the vehicle or the vehicle is being transported. With the vehicle turned off, press the button to the right of the hatch/trunk release button. The indicator light will come on momentarily, indicating that these sensors have been disabled until the next time the alarm system is armed.
Inclination Sensor and
Intrusion Sensor
In addition to the standard theft-deterrent system features, this system may also have an inclination sensor and intrusion sensor.The Inclination sensor can set off the alarm if it senses movement of the vehicle, such as a change in vehicle orientation. The intrusion sensor monitors the vehicle interior, and can activate the alarm if it senses unauthorized entry into the vehicle’s interior. Do not allow passengers or pets to remain in the vehicle when the intrusion sensor is activated. Before arming the theft-deterrent system and activating the intrusion sensor:.
Make sure both doors and
windows are completely closed..
Secure any loose items such as sunshades.
.
Intrusion and Inclination
Sensors Disable Switch
It is recommended that the intrusion and inclination sensors be deactivated if pets are left in the vehicle or the vehicle is being transported. With the vehicle turned off, press the button to the right of the hatch/trunk release button. The indicator light will come on momentarily, indicating that these sensors have been disabled until the next time the alarm system is armed.
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,955
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I don't know what your wife is doing in the car to set off the alarm but it is not intrusion. Maybe she's rocking out wildly to the tunes on the radio and the car is detecting movement or sensing a shock but it's not intrusion.
The intrusion alarm does not set if the top is down.
If you want video, I taped my test but I find it a royal PITA to get a video on here from my iPhone!
Elmer