Design

Design

Control module

The main task of the VGLA control module is to control and monitor the locking and alarm system in the car. The control module is located in the center under the dashboard in front of the gear selector lever. The control module supports various functions, depending on the equipment level of the system.
There are three versions of the control module:
- LAS-A:for central locking using the remote control or key controlled central locking without child-proof locking
- LAS-B:for remote controlled central locking with deadlocking
- LAS-C:for key or remote controlled central locking with or without deadlocking and with 2-step function (2-step, only USA/Canada/Israel).
Two lock motors are installed for deadlocking. One motor locks the door. The other disengages the lock button and the inner door handle automatically 25 seconds after the vehicle has been locked and all the doors closed. It will not then be possible to open the door from the inside, even if a window is smashed for example.
The 2-step function, where the car is unlocked in two stages, is only available in certain markets. When the remote control is pressed once, the driver's door is unlocked. When pressed again within 10 seconds, the other doors are unlocked. This is to prevent someone from "sneaking" in to the car when all doors are unlocked at the same time.
The required functions must be programmed into the control module. For information about programming lock and alarm functions, except for remote controls, see Description of the programmed values Description Of The Programmed Values.
The turn signal lamps flash when the alarm is armed. The number of times the lamps flash can be set according to the wishes of the customer. The default setting is a long signal on arming and two short on disarming.
In the event of a collision, if the ignition is on, the VGLA control module receives a signal from Supplemental Restraint System Module (SRS) to unlock the doors. The VGLA control module also disengages the deadlocking and child-proof locks if these are engaged.
The VGLA control module communicates with the immobilizer control module via a hardwired cable. If a correct key is inserted in the ignition switch, a signal is transmitted from the immobilizer control module via this cable to disarm the alarm and release the deadlocks (if applicable). The VGLA control module works together with the immobilizer control module. However both systems are also able to function independently of each other. In order for communication to function, the code from the immobilizer control module must be programmed into the VGLA control module. Programming is performed when installing a new control module.
In configurations with remote controls, the unique ID numbers of the remote controls must be learned by the VGLA control module before it can function. This takes place during installation at the factory. The VGLA control module can be programmed with up to three remote control IDs. Two remote controls are normally stored when the car is delivered.
The VGLA control module is powered directly from the battery.

Alarm/sun sensor/immobilizer indicator

The indicator is an integrated unit positioned by the windshield on the dashboard. The integrated LED flashes on the indicator to show the status of both the alarm and immobilizer system. It flashes at different frequencies to indicate that:
- the alarm is armed (approximately once per second)
- the alarm has been triggered (approximately 3 times per second)
- a fault has been detected somewhere in the system (approximately 4 times per second).
When the alarm is disarmed and a door is opened, the alarm will flash approximately 4 times a second until the ignition is switched on. If the control module has detected a fault in the system during the diagnostic check, the lamp will continue to flash 4 times a second for approximately 15 seconds after the ignition is switched on. If the system is not armed and is free of faults, the LED goes out.
The sun sensor is only used by the EEC climate control system.
If an immobilizer but no alarm is installed, the state of the immobilizer is indicated by the LED.

Driver's door central locking switch

There is a micro-switch on the spring bolt in the driver's door. This has three positions, with the rest position in the center. When the key is inserted in the door and turned clockwise or counter-clockwise, the car is locked or unlocked. Depending on the direction in which the key is turned, one of the inputs on the control module is grounded, one of which locks the door, the other unlocks it. The ground connection is via the control unit for the window lift mechanisms and door mirrors (3/24) in the driver's door. The interior lighting also lights when the car is unlocked.

Driver and passenger door central locking switch

The switches are mounted together with the controls for the window lift mechanisms and the door mirrors on the driver's door and with the control for the window lift mechanism on the passenger door. The switches are toggle switches with the rest position in the center. Depending on the direction in which the switches are pressed, the switches ground one of two inputs on the VGLA control module so that the car is locked or unlocked.
The driver and passenger switches are separately connected to the VGLA control module.
The ground connection is made at two different points in the bodywork, one (31/1) for the driver's switch and the other (31/2) for the passenger switch.

Interior lighting

The interior lighting is completely controlled by the VGLA control module. The lighting is controlled by contacts, in the body at the rear of the doors, or via signals from the control module when locking and unlocking. The interior lighting consists of a number of lamps in different locations in the car. The components are:
- front roof lamp with or without a sun roof control function ((10/31) or (10/32))
- rear reading lamps
- the courtesy lighting on the driver and passenger sides
- cargo compartment lighting
- vanity mirror lighting
- glove compartment lighting.
All lamps in the interior lighting are controlled by the VGLA control module except for the lighting in the cargo compartment, glove compartment and vanity mirrors.
The interior lighting is powered directly from the battery.

Alarm horn

The alarm is on the inside of the right-hand fender. The alarm horn is powered externally from the battery. An Ni-MH battery also provides an internal power supply in case the external power supply should be cut.
The alarm horn is grounded separately. The internal battery is charged via a built-in charge circuit when the ignition is on. Depending on the market, the length of time the siren will sound can be set to 120 or 300 seconds. The siren also has a built-in sensor to detect a voltage drop. If the power supply drops by more then 1 V per second, for example if the battery is disconnected, the siren will start to sound if the alarm was armed. The internal battery has sufficient power to run the siren for approximately 5 minutes.

Ultrasonic sensor control module

The ultrasonic control module and glass breakage sensor are the same unit. Different sensors are connected depending on the desired function. The system either consists of one glass breakage sensor or two ultrasonic sensors. The control module is below the dashboard on the passenger side.
There is a transmitter and a receiver for the ultrasonic function. The receiver is close to the front roof lamp. The transmitter is in the center of the roof. The positioning is reversed on right-hand drive cars. When the alarm is armed, the transmitter sends out signals to the receiver in a certain sequence. If the sequence changes too much, a trigger signal is transmitted to the VGLA control module to trigger the alarm.
The control module for ultrasound and glass breakage sensor is powered directly from the battery and is grounded separately via a rail (15/8).

Glass breakage sensor control module

The ultrasonic control module and glass breakage sensor are the same unit. Different sensors are connected depending on the desired function. The system either consists of one glass breakage sensor or two ultrasonic sensors. The control module is below the dashboard on the passenger side.
The glass breakage sensor is a microphone and is by the front reading lamp on the driver's side. The glass breakage sensor detects if a window is smashed and then triggers the alarm. The sensor has intelligent electronics which filter out irrelevant signals.
The control module for ultrasound and glass breakage sensor is powered directly from the battery and is grounded separately via a rail (15/8).

Remote control receiver

The receiver for remote controls receives signals from the remote control and sends them onwards to the VGLA control module. The receiver is positioned behind the combined instrument panel. The receiver is a separate unit. This means that the receiver can be installed aftermarket in vehicles without remote control.
The receiver is powered directly from the battery and is grounded separately via a rail (15/8).

Remote control

The remote control is used to arm the alarm and to lock the car. It is also used to disarm the alarm and to unlock the car. There are different remote control versions, depending on the market. The European market has only two buttons: LOCK and UNLOCK. Additional functions can be programmed in other markets. These are, for example, tailgate/trunk lid unlocking and the PANIC function (manual triggering of the siren and flashing lights).
To prevent the system from accidentally triggering when the car is in use, the VGLA control module ignores signals from the remote control when the ignition is in positions I - III:
- I - III (not USA/Canada)
- 0 - III (USA/Canada).
Each remote control has a unique identification code which must be programmed into the VGLA control module in order for the system to function. This is done in the factory. The car is normally delivered with two programmed remote controls.
The remote control contains a button cell battery which can be replaced if necessary. If the reaction from the system is slow or the range of the remote control diminishes, this is an indication that the battery is beginning to run out.

Note! From model year 2003 inclusive the remote control is integrated with the key (does not apply to USA/Canada). During the introduction of the remote control, a relay will be installed for a transitional period in model year 2003 cars. This relay prevents the lock and alarm system from unintentionally switching mode when the key is removed from the ignition switch. This is done by disconnecting the power supply to the receiver for the remote control when the driver's door is open. This means that on cars from model year 2003 onwards, the driver's door must be closed when programming new control modules.

Vehicle tilt sensor

The vehicle tilt sensor is on the panel behind the audio module. This sensor transmits an input signal to the VGLA control module to trigger the alarm if the angle of the car changes excessively. There is an integrated diagnostic function for the sensor which runs a self diagnostic when the ignition is switched on and sends an OK signal to the VGLA control module. The function can be disconnected using the reduced alarm switch. This may be required if the car is being transported by ferry for example. This accessory is only available on certain markets.
The sensor is power by the VGLA control module and grounded via a rail (15/8).

Central locking motor

The central locking motors lock and unlock the doors on receipt of an output signal from the VGLA control module.
The control module has an integrated function to prevent the motors from overheating. This protects the motor if it should receive too many lock and unlock signals in succession. If the control module detects that the motor is becoming too hot, the function stops for 8 seconds to give the motor time to cool down.
Central locking motors with deadlocking have an additional motor. During activation, the motor disengages the lock buttons and the interior door handles. Deadlock is activated automatically 25 seconds after the vehicle is locked and all doors are closed. This means that if a window is smashed, the doors can still not be unlocked or opened from the inside.
This function can be deactivated using the reduced alarm switch. This is useful for example if someone is remaining in the car when the car is locked.

Central locking motor for the fuel tank filler cover

The central locking motor for the fuel tank filler cover is located in the left rear fender at the rear edge of the fuel tank filler cover. The motor prevents access to the fuel filler pipe when the car is locked. The motor is connected in parallel to the lock motor for the tailgate/trunk lid. Both unlock at the same time (does not apply to USA/Canada). For USA/Canada, the central locking motors for the fuel tank filler cover and tailgate/trunk lid are separately connected to the VGLA control module. This also means that there is a 10 minute delay until the fuel tank filler cover is locked having been unlocked and the car driven.

Trunk lid/tailgate central locking motor

The central locking motor is by the lock bolt in the tailgate/trunk lid. The motor locks and unlocks the tailgate on receipt of an output signal from the VGLA control module. The control module has an integrated function to prevent the motors from overheating. This protects the motor if it should receive too many lock and unlock signals in succession. If the control module detects that the motor is becoming too hot, the function stops for 8 seconds to give the motor time to cool down.

Child-proof lock (PCL, power child lock)

The switch for the child-proof locks is in the center console between the driver and front seat passenger. The switch has three positions with a spring loaded inactive rest position in the center. The function is either locked or unlocked depending on the direction in which the switch is pressed. A built-in LED indicates when the function is engaged.
The switch is connected to two extra motors which are at the rear edge of the rear doors. These motors supplement the motors in the rest of the central locking system.
The child-proof lock motors disconnect the rear door handles so that the doors cannot be opened from the inside. This function is disengaged if the system receives a signal from the switch on the dashboard.
An indication that the doors are locked is that the built-in LED lights when the rear lock motors are in locked mode.

Switch for reduced alarm

The switch for reduced alarm is in the dashboard. The switch is used to disengage the following functions in the alarm system (if installed):
- ultrasonic sensor
- vehicle tilt sensor
- deadlock.
This switch is only installed in cars which have any of the above functions installed. During deactivation, this setting applies for an alarm period, i.e. from the time the alarm is armed using the remote control or key until an approved key is inserted in the ignition switch and turned to position II (IG 2) The switch has a built-in status lamp which indicates when disengagement has been carried out. The function of the switch alternates, which means that it engages and disengages the alarm functions every other time it is pressed.
The switch sends a signal to the VGLA control module to ignore the input signals from the above sensors. It also activates the deadlock motors.
Examples of when this function would be used:
- if the car is being transported by ferry
- if pets are temporarily being left in the car or
- if a passenger is being left in the car but needs to be able to get out.

Warning lamp for open door

The warning lamp for open door is in the combined instrument panel. The warning lamp indicates if any door, the hood or tailgate/trunk lid is open. The VGLA control module receives a signal from the contacts at the doors and tailgate/hood and grounds the combined instrument panel. The lamp is then lit. The ignition must be on for this function.

Contacts at doors/tailgate/hood

The contacts at the doors and tailgate/trunk lid are open when the doors or tailgate/trunk lid are closed. The contacts are closed when the doors or tailgate/trunk lid are opened. The exception is the switch at the hood which is closed when the hood is closed. The VGLA control module reacts if a contact is closed at one of the doors or the tailgate/trunk lid or if the contact at the hood is opened. The contacts ground the control module in its closed position.
The contacts on the side doors are adjusted so that the switchover point is between fully closed position and the open position.