how hard is it to wire up a remote starter

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bowlofturtle

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The keyless remote stopped working and its not my battery ( replaced it twice and tried to program it as well) Replacement remotes are about $44 on ebay.

I"m thinking of just doing a remote starter with keyless. One to get better range on the remote and two to have a remote starter.
Never done this but reading around this is a easiest setup.

DEI unit of my choice looking at the viper 4304. PLus a car without an immobilizer so no bypass needed. Looking at some installs i just need to get into the ign. harness by the steering wheel (done that before). Not sure what else is needed.
 
I think it will take awhile if its your first one. You need some good connectors, some of the ones provided are [censored]. On my Jeep which has a chip key, there is extra work needed. I also have a little antenna stuck to the windshield near my rear view.

Viper for example does not supply directions except to authorized dealers. So directions will not come in the box.

The normal install is about $125 + extra relays. Even most dealers hire out the job.
 
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Well, since the starter will be splicing into the existing wiring and hardware, and your current remote is not working, then I think it would be wise to figure out exactly what's wrong with the current setup.


I assume the non working keyless remote is only for doors, it may not matter much as long as the actual buttons on the doors work properly.
 
I always tell people to stay away from ANY aftermsrket remote start and alarm systems. You can do much more harm with today's integrated electronics. I've seen some real bad installs too.
 
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The hardest parts are getting the wiring diagrams and standing on your head in the floorboards wiring everything up. Years ago I did this on an 87 Buick LeSabre. I had to find the ignition circuit, the start circuit, brake light circuit, and the door and trunk lock wires IIRC. They each played a role.

As others have suggested, invest in good connectors and take your time. Newer cars have the additional complication of coded keys.
 
It wasn't that hard for me, IIRC it was only 6 or 8 wires I had to spice into. I did remote starter only, no tie in to lock/unlock and had non-trasponder keys.
 
If you are serious about installing a remote starter yourself, the best exercise for that would be to figure out what is wrong with your current key less entry system. You need to figure out where all the wires are, you need figure out how to use multi-meter to trace the signals etc.

If you think diagnosing the current problem is beyond your abilities, then you should NOT get in to wiring up a remote starter yourself.

- Vikas

P.S. I seem to have become a scrooge but there are very few people here who are willing to be brutally honest.
 
Since you don't have a security doodad it's pretty easy. You'll find a pdf of your wiring diagram if you look hard enough. Wire everything up... parking lights, brake switch, RPM/tach, even if you think it's superfluous. You need it to program or operate (better).

I missed what car it is but if it's the camary you'll find a generic toyota wiring diagram that's pretty close. One hint is if you have two ignition "run" feeds, one is for stuff like power windows that are not essential to running, and the other is for spark, fuel, and computer. Pay attention and wire up to the right one.
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas
If you are serious about installing a remote starter yourself, the best exercise for that would be to figure out what is wrong with your current key less entry system. You need to figure out where all the wires are, you need figure out how to use multi-meter to trace the signals etc.

If you think diagnosing the current problem is beyond your abilities, then you should NOT get in to wiring up a remote starter yourself.

- Vikas

P.S. I seem to have become a scrooge but there are very few people here who are willing to be brutally honest.


+1 This. Auto makers have teams of engineers design these. I have seen the results of screwed up mods and aftermarket add ons from 18 year old minimum wage installers who think a "one system fits all cars" will work.

Get the factory system fixed right by someone who knows how.

Telling us your car would also be helpful.
 
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The currently keyless is FACTORY OEM and most likely a busted remote. I only have one. The door locks work without the remote. Diagnosis my current problem is as simple as buying a replacement remote, well thats the first step and a costly one at that. I've been on the watch for them but just nothing solid.

The factory system sucks in terms of range.

This will be for a newly acquired 95 Nissan 240, which i haven't figured out if i want to keep or not yet.
 
I have a aftermarket Viper 5700 system installed without remote start and it's something I will never do again.

And I would stay away from adding these systems onto a newer car unless some time of interface between the system and OEM multiplex/body control module is used. And even so caveat emptor.
 
Most of the time it is not terribly difficult to wire in a remote start unit or a keyless entry system. That being said, some of the mid-90's Nissans were not exactly the easiest vehicles to interface with either. The door locks were wired funny and some models had two separate starter wires, and some had a separate accessory wire that had to be isolated from the other accessory wire using a relay.

You need to know what you are doing to install a remote start/keyless correctly and so it will work reliably. You need a good working knowledge of wiring techniques, relays and diodes and you need a good understanding of how the electrical syetem and accessories in the vehicle operate.

Viper is made by Directed Electronics Incorporated (DEI). Viper is the best alarm/keyless/remote start you can buy. It is part of their dealer agreement that Viper syatems not be sold over the counter without installation. Any Viper shop that violates that agreement runs the risk of having the line taken away from them and losing the ability to sell and install Viper systems. However, Python is also made by DEI and is the same product as Viper with the same lifetime warranty, but Python is usually a bit less expensive. You can buy a Python 414 Remote Start/Keyless Entry System from Crutchfield for $200.00, and Crutchfield has free shipping during December. Crutchfield has a top-notch technical department that should be able to help with any problems you encounter with the installation, and they may also provide a technical info sheet with wire and component location, polarity and other aspects of the installation.

I would say give Crutchfield a call first and see whether they offer technical assistance like that. I am not sure what they provide with respect to vehicle security. I know they provide outstanding help with the installation of car audio systems. You can take a look at the Python 414 here:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_6074104P/Python-414.html?tp=149

One other possibility is to just have the system professionally installed. Depending on where you live you should be able to buy a Viper or other good remote start/keyless entry system for $200.00 to $300.00 installed. You can visit www.directed.com for a lot more info and to find a local authorized DEI dealer.
 
You *have* to get the factory wiring diagram first. If you are lucky, you might "find" them on the internet or might find them on ebay for modest sum. Otherwise, you have to subscribe to Mitchell like professional services to get your hands on the schematics.

Even if you decide not to debug your current remote system, you can get your hands dirty and find the relevant wires under the dash. For example, consider the remote locking/unlocking of doors. Your Nissan may have a wire for pulse locking and another wire for pulse unlocking. The "lock" wire might need to be grounded for fraction of second. Or it might need to be provided with battery voltage to operate. All of this information would be in the factory schematics. Without it, you take off the door panel and/or find the fuse box and see if you can figure out which wire controls the door lock.

Now, extend this to about six or eight circuits to get all the signals and actuator interfaces to integrate the brain in to the car.

If this sounds fun and challenging, go for it!

- Vikas
 
The best places online to look for free vehicle wiring info for audio, security and cruise control installation are

www.the12volt.com

www.bulldogsecurity.com

Even if you find the wiring info online or if a retailer such as Crutchfield provides it as part of your purchase you still absolutely must double check it with a volt meter to be sure it is correct before making your connections.

It takes a good knowledge of automotive electronics, patience, time and having the correct tools for the job to install a remote start. The same goes for any other automotive accessory.
 
Data to Data or Wire to Wire.

Some newer cars can use a data connection. This wasn't an issue on my '87 LeSofa
smile.gif


Originally Posted By: Vikas
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Depends if it's W2W or D2D, I guess.

huh?
 
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