Thinking of getting a car alarm/starter combo and getting it installed.

[DarkThinker]

UPDATE:

Yaay, after looking things up here and there I bit the bullet and finally I have made up my mind and purchased a new system off Ebay for ~$150 after Ebay discounts. The seller offers an extended 3 year warranty for $20 so I have the option to make that decision very soon.

What do you guys think of this system and price?
Here is the description:

Compustar 2-Way Remote Car Starter & Alarm 2W900FM-AS

900MHz frequency with a 3,000 ft Range.

Works on MANUAL & AUTOMATIC Transmissions!


**Included Remotes:


(1) 2 Way Remote

(1) One Way Remote

Remote Features:

* Audible and Vibration Notification

* 2-Way Paging Remote

* Valet Remote

* Largest LCD Screen of All Compustar Remotes

* Compuglow Backlight

* Mulit-Colored LCD Display

**Alarm & Starter Features:

*Includes dual stage shock sensor

*RPS (remote paging system)

*External Siren (six-tone)

*Super bright blue LED

*2-auxillary outputs

*Dedicated trunk output

*Horn honk output

*Includes anti-grind and starter-kill relay

*Driver's priority unlock

*Ignition controlled door locks

* Trunk output

* Remote start

* Diesel features built-in

Now my car doesn't have trunk open feature, I am thinking of getting one of those universal solenoid kits that are connected to the alarm system of any car, will I have any issues with that?

====================================================================
- I am shopping around for a car alarm / starter combo with trunk open function after my car got broken into.

- I am considering installing it myself, people have warned me about this, since I have never done this before but, I was told my car might not start if I screw up.

- I am also planning on hacking the system so that I can add sensors of my own and maybe transmitters too! I am planning on making my own proximity sensors so that I don't have to pay and arm and a leg for them in stock products. I am thinking of using IR and UltraSonic transmitter/receiver pairs inside

- The car is a 1996 Honda Accord LX 2Dr 5-speed manual it does not have an OEM system in it if that makes a difference.

So I have been looking of Ebay for a good system. I have been told by some members about Viper and Clifford systems. Also I have been checking lower priced systems for Manual cars that also have trunk release and the one that I have been eyeing is this Ultra Start I like the price and there are some hardcore live.com discounts going around so I ought to be able to drop the price by %20 too.

Please post your recommendations and installation tips and warnings

Thanks
DarkThinker

 

[EightySix Four]

I worked for a Car Toys that installed remote starts for quite some time, and I will tell you the two times I sold a remote start and alarm to someone planning to install it themselves, they ended up being pulled into our parking lot on a flat bed. That's not to say it can't be done, just saying most people end up failing.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: crazySOB297
I worked for a Car Toys that installed remote starts for quite some time, and I will tell you the two times I sold a remote start and alarm to someone planning to install it themselves, they ended up being pulled into our parking lot on a flat bed. That's not to say it can't be done, just saying most people end up failing.

I appreciate the input, but can you specifically tell me what people fail at doing properly ? What information where they missing out on?

I really want to do this myself, not much motivated by the money savings rather than the challenge of knowing that I did it and I know how to from now on. However I want to research what I am doing well and want to make sure I have all the documentation I need.

 

[nwfsnake]

I have had luck with Viper. Compustar at CartronixPlus.com is another good company that makes models especially for manual transmissions. Also, you can get a t-harness from Bulldog that allows easy access for the remote-start function. $20 or so and you can hack it to work with whichever alarm you purchase, but the two connectors on it to break into the ignition connector is worth every penny.

 

[zoiks]

I'd rather pay the 150 for the installation. I installed an alarm in my older car and it took all day to do it and it wasn't worth it. You have to open panels in a lot of places to reach wires. You also need to get a service manual that tells you which wire to tap into.

 

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: DarkThinker

Originally posted by: crazySOB297
I worked for a Car Toys that installed remote starts for quite some time, and I will tell you the two times I sold a remote start and alarm to someone planning to install it themselves, they ended up being pulled into our parking lot on a flat bed. That's not to say it can't be done, just saying most people end up failing.

I appreciate the input, but can you specifically tell me what people fail at doing properly ? What information where they missing out on?

I really want to do this myself, not much motivated by the money savings rather than the challenge of knowing that I did it and I know how to from now on. However I want to research what I am doing well and want to make sure I have all the documentation I need.

The major thing is that they pay a yearly fee to a database that shows us exactly what wires need to be tapped and where they are in the car. The instructions available for the kits are pretty lacking as far as I have seen.

You have to tear off door panels, do wire runs from all over the car, tap into the ignition system, and disable the factory alarm system. Like I said, it can be done but the two that have attempted it have been failures.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Yeah, basically it doesn't come with any vehicle specific information.

I would really recommend having a shop do it. Also, in my experience the advertised ranges on these things are BS. 1000' ft may work from 100' ft. I would get an mile range if you want it to work from any decent distance. Also, if you will be starting it from outside of visual range you may want a 2way so you get confirmation that it started.

 

[DarkThinker]

Yaay, after looking things up here and there I bit the bullet and finally I have made up my mind and purchased a new system off Ebay for ~$150 after Ebay discounts. The seller offers an extended 3 year warranty for $20 so I have the option to make that decision very soon.

What do you guys think of this system and price?
Here is the description:

Compustar 2-Way Remote Car Starter & Alarm 2W900FM-AS

900MHz frequency with a 3,000 ft Range.

Works on MANUAL & AUTOMATIC Transmissions!


**Included Remotes:


(1) 2 Way Remote

(1) One Way Remote

Remote Features:

* Audible and Vibration Notification

* 2-Way Paging Remote

* Valet Remote

* Largest LCD Screen of All Compustar Remotes

* Compuglow Backlight

* Mulit-Colored LCD Display

**Alarm & Starter Features:

*Includes dual stage shock sensor

*RPS (remote paging system)

*External Siren (six-tone)

*Super bright blue LED

*2-auxillary outputs

*Dedicated trunk output

*Horn honk output

*Includes anti-grind and starter-kill relay

*Driver's priority unlock

*Ignition controlled door locks

* Trunk output

* Remote start

* Diesel features built-in

Now my car doesn't have trunk open feature, I am thinking of getting one of those universal solenoid kits that are connected to the alarm system of any car, will I have any issues with that?

 

[Hyperlite]

seriously, think about having a shop do it. I was in your position as well, and dissuaded myself from a DIY job. I don't really want to run the risk of setting an airbag off in my face.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite
seriously, think about having a shop do it. I was in your position as well, and dissuaded myself from a DIY job. I don't really want to run the risk of setting an airbag off in my face.

Yes, after looking at member input I got dissuaded. The only reason being is that this is my commuter I don't have a backup car currently, so if I screw up I am a stuck duck. Had I had another car I would have done it on my own I have years of experience in electronics after all one of my degrees is a BS in Electrical Engineering and I should be able to take care of this system properly. However I don't have that much exposure to car systems and don't know what hidden surprises there could be, so I am playing it safe so that I don't waste too much time for now. But as soon as I get another car I will move the system to it on my own.

 

[DarkThinker]

So I am going to be calling up some installers tomorrow, I know for sure there is one car system installation place in the area that does CompuStar systems, I'll find out how much they charge with respect to others

Also, I have been doing some research about what needs to be done, and I am making a To Do list on what to request and make sure the installer does or doesn't do, here it is so far:

- Should I purchase automotive relays ahead of the installation, so that I am not charged an arm and a leg for them at the shop or would that not make a difference because the shop's installation fee is fixed?

- Make sure that the installer places sensors at the right place

- Make sure sensor is responding to proper level of input

- Make sure that the installers sets up an ignition kill switch / "immobilizer" so that the car can't be started when armed even with key

- Make sure that the trunkc open solenoid can be easily installed

- Does honda's ECU for the 1996 Accord provide information about a neutral gear position? Some cars (i.e Subaru) have a wire at the cars ECU that shows ground when in gear.

- Make sure to at least use 12 gauge wire for the trunk solenoid because they need quite a few amps to make a strong pull.

- When T-taps or Screw cap connections are used some odds occur somewhere, something might come loose and make the alarm freak out.

 

[DarkThinker]

Called up a place that will install CompuStars, they want > $250, another place wants $350 if not more booo:thumbsdown:

The only place that will do it under $200 is a Viper-Only place and the alarm has to be purchased from them, now I couldn't find a decent Viper that does all I wanted so I had to go with the CompuStar.

I happen to find $150 very very acceptable, hell $200 is pushing it but if it's a good and clean job fine I would pay up....but $250 ----> $350 is REALLY one hell of a rip-off, do these people think I am a dumb ass? Am I being impractical here? Cause this has %100 turned me off when it comes to professional installation.

So how about this, WHAT IF I install the alarm-starter and ONLY connect any ignition related circuitry once I verify the alarm is working in other areas? Wouldn't that at least least NOT render my car unusable till I figure it out?