The BYD Shark 6 security system is one of the best you can get for a new ute. It has a factory alarm system with GPS and app connectivity.
But if you are using one as a trade vehicle or keep valuables inside, you may want to beef up the factory alarm system.
I got my hands on one last week to secure a retro fitted canopy, plus to evaluate how good the existing alarm is.
The Shark 6 is one of the more interesting utes when it comes to security. The keyless entry system alone has more options than any other vehicle I’ve worked on before. It features:
- Remote locking
- Proximity smart key access
- NFC access
- BYD phone app access
You can lock and unlock the drivers door with the emergency access blade key.
Ebbett NZ have an excellent YouTube video explaining how the Shark 6 works. There is also a PDF user manual you can read.
BYD Shark 6 factory alarm system
The Shark 6 factory alarm system works with all the clever access methods. It also has remote engine start which can be activated via the BYD phone app or the remote.
The alarm will trigger if any of the 4 doors or the bonnet are opened. The horn honks and the hazard lights flash. There is also an alert notification sent via the BYD phone app.
At first glance, it seems quite comprehensive but it does lack some of the basics that any good work vehicle needs. Hence, why my good friend Tristram had dropped the truck off with me for a week while he was on holiday in Australia.
NFC keyless entry
The Shark 6 is the first vehicle I have worked on that can use Near Field Communication to lock and unlock. Wikipedia has a good page that explains how NFC works if you want to know more about it.
It allows you to access and drive the vehicle without having the remote smart key.
You simply hold your NFC card (or NFC capable phone) next to the driver side wing mirror.
It will either lock or unlock depending on which state it is already in.
BYD remote with proximety access
The remote has 4 buttons:
- Lock (Arm)
- Unlock (Disarm)
- Tail gate open (press 2 times)
- Remote start
It also works as a proximity smart key so you can lock and unlock the doors by pressing the door handle buttons when in range.
Alarm zones
The alarm will trigger if any of the 4 doors or the bonnet are opened. The horn honks and the hazard lights flash. There is also a notification sent to the BYD app.
Child Presence Detection Alarm
Annoying CPD alerts
There are some alarm functions I really do not like about the BYD. If you arm the alarm and there is any weight on the seat, then the alarm triggers. Even worse, if you sit in the car for too long without the alarm armed, it still gets activated!
The horn starts honking and the screen shows a CPD (Child Presence Detection) alert.
I don’t know how often people in China leave a child unattended in the car, but it must be a thing if BYD have this feature.
Evil baby horn alarm
Looking at the baby, it seemed familiar. It has quite a distinctive hair style.
Maybe it’s just me, but it’s an unsettling image. The child reminded me of someone… Anyway, I’m digressing.
No load area protection
This is where the Shark 6 security alarm fails. While there is an icon on the dash that warns the tailgate is open, it does not activate the alarm if it is forced open.
Given that many owners will keep valuable tools and such in the tray or canopy, it clearly needs improving.
Shark 6 canopy upgrades
For the canopy I made some brackets and installed micro switches to each of the 3 glass hatches. These got wired up to the existing wiring from the tailgate switch, which shows up on the vehicles dash.
I also added some LED strips to the canopy for better lighting.
Whilst the tailgate is wired up in the vehicle, it does not trigger the alarm if the tailgate is forcibly opened.
This required a better alarm system, which would trigger when the canopy opens up. The only issue is that none of my main suppliers offered a solution for the Shark 6.
Upgrading the BYD Shark 6 alarm
My main task was to get an alarm working in the load area. My preferred alarm is the Vodafone Automotive 4822 CAN-BUS upgrade alarm, but it needed firmware to work with the Shark 6.
Obviously, everything still needs to work with the existing access methods, so the first task was to understand how all the existing systems work.
I was granted access to the BYD phone app, plus had the NFC access added to my phone. Next, I searched for the right CAN-BUS wires to tap into before getting Scott at Developing Automotive Solutions to sit with a laptop and record all the needed CAN messages we would need to get some alarm firmware developed.
Once this was done, we knew that the CAN-BUS detected the tailgate opening. It was looking good.
The data logs got sent off to Vodafone Automotive in Italy who made some firmware for the alarm. In the meantime, I got on with the job of getting to know the vehicle a little better.
BYD Ultrasonic sensor installation
On taking out the roof pod with the sunglasses pocket, I found some holes where ultrasonic sensors fitted nicely.
I stripped it apart and installed the sensors. I also found a good spot for the alarm LED control panel.
There is a good YouTube video from All Terrain Action EV which shows the Shark 6 getting taken apart. I found this information really helpful to not only take the truck apart, but to find some good cable access locations.
I spotted they had a new set of switches in the roof pod. I found out who made them and got Tristram to get the part and additional switches on order.
I will add the details on the new switches once they arrive.
Vodafone Automotive 4822 CAN-BUS alarm in the Shark 6
By the time the new firmware arrived, I had most of the wiring ready for a quick installation. I got the alarm plugged in and started testing.
There was a small issue where the alarm would sound for half a second with the remote start. Remote start is probably the wrong term, it simply turns on the climate control.
Anyway, I made a video to show the sequence of events and emailed it off. The next morning a new file arrived and the updated firmware solved the problem.
Testing
There is a big checklist to complete to confirm everything is working perfectly before the alarm can be signed off. The good news was all the relevant boxes were ticked and the BYD Shark 6 upgrade alarm is now an option, which I’ve just added to the CAN-BUS alarm vehicle list.
4822 Enhanced upgrade alarm
Features:
- Battery back-up siren & horn honk
- Ultrasonic internal movement cabin protection
- Tilt sensor
- Full functionality with existing keyless entry
- Tailgate protection
- Alarm trigger alert set via App (BYD Shark 6)
- Canopy protection (If fitted)
- Optional PIR sensor
Full details of the 4822 Enhanced upgrade alarm found here.
BYD Shark 6 alarm options
A PIR sensor can be added to the alarm. This is a good alternative to having micro switches on each window.
A remote double tap module is recommended if getting a PIR sensor. This will stop the BYD from auto re-arming 30 seconds after unlocking. In turn, it stops the alarm auto arming, which would turn the PIR sensor back on and cause the alarm to trigger when it detects you moving past it.
Need a good local electrician?
Tristrams details can be found on the Tristram Jay Electrical Facebook page as well as on the side of his new BYD Shark 6.
Updated switches, and wiring repairs
The new roof switch panel arrived along with the new switches. Tristram was more excited then I was so made a head start on the wiring before I had the chance to get to the vehicle.
Fuse Taps!
In the process of connecting up the new switches up he knocked out the fuse tap for the zombie lights, this was not an issue until he took it for a drive and found the Shark 6 was now in limp mode! I don’t blame him for this as it could just have easily have been me this happened to.
I have now removed the fuse tap and hard wired the lights so it won’t be an issue in the future. This is the 2nd vehicle in 6 months I’ve worked on where a fuse tap has come out and caused a headache. They are just a pain in the arse for anyone else who works on the vehicle and unwittingly disturbs them.
