Holden Colorado alarm overview
The 2nd generation (RG) Holden Colorado was released in New Zealand and Australia in 2012. It received a facelift in 2016 and went out of production in 2020. It replaced the Isuzu D-Max based Holden Rodeo.
The Holden Colorado is a rebranded Chevrolet Colorado. Wikipedia has a good page about the Colorado that goes into more detail.
Holden Colorado alarm system
2012-2016 (Pre facelift)
The factory alarm which works with the Holden flip key covers the doors and the bonnet but has no internal movement sensor. The alarm uses the vehicles horn rather than a siren.
If the Holden remote key has a flat battery the alarm can be disarmed by placing the key in the ignition where it will recognise the transponder chip in the key.
Canopy protection
The factory alarm lacks the option to protect your tools if you store them in the back.
It also lacks internal cabin protection. This is an option if you want to upgrade the alarm.
Load area protection
I can add a PIR sensor to work with the factory alarm, I can also add a reed switch to the alarm if you have a hard lid.
If you’re serious about protecting your contents then I recommend upgrading the alarm.
Upgrading the Colorado alarm
Colorado remote start alarm
I can confirm that the Viper range of remote engine start alarms all work with the Colorado having installed a couple in the past.
OEM upgrade alarm
If you wish to upgrade the factory alarm to give internal cabin protection and siren then I highly recommend the Vodafone Automotive 4822 which works with the factory Holden remote
Below are some photos of how the Cobra looks in the Colorado:
2016 Facelift Colorado
The Holden Colorado received a makeover in 2016 with new styling inside and out. Officially this is the 2017 onward model, but you could purchase them from late 2016.
The top of the range Z71 model now comes with remote engine start as standard.
This works from the factory remote which means you no longer need a separate remote and the expense of adding a retrofitted system.
All models still come with a factory alarm, immobiliser and automatic window closure.
What security upgrades are there?
Like the pre-facelift model, the alarm lacks internal movement sensors in the cabin. It also offers no protection for the tray or the canopy where fitted.
CAN-BUS upgrade alarm development
The 2017 Colorado was the first vehicle which I mapped the CAN-BUS data on for firmware development.
Previously The Cobra AK4615 would have to be wired as a PLIP alarm. This was a massive pain on the Holden because the central locking works on 6 rather than 12 volts.
To do this I gathered all the required CAN data and sent it to the technicians at Vodafone Automotive in Varese, Italy. They, in turn, developed the alarm software which I then tested and signed off.
The Cobra AK4615 now works as a CAN-BUS alarm on all models including the Z71 as shown here:
Vodafone Automotive 4822
The AK4615 has now been superseded with the Vodafone Automotive 4822.
Colorado upgrade alarm
The 4822 makes it easy to add additional sensors to protect the canopy or tray area.
Ultrasonic sensors offer good cabin protection and look great installed above the A pillars.
A PIR sensor can be added if canopy protection is required. The 4822 allows you to turn off each sensor which can be useful.
It is still possible to add a PIR sensors to the factory alarm, but it’s just not user-friendly. My recommendation is upgrading the alarm.
