chemical

About a month ago I bought a Clifford RS3.5 alarm with remote start, and planned on having someone local install it.

The first shop I went to (a small car audio shop) said they could install it, but when I showed up for the appointment, the guy said he couldn't find the information he needed to do the install. The problem was that the car was "too new" and no one had the information he was looking for.

I asked him if a service manual would have what he needed, but he said no.

Then I go to another shop, which specializes in aftermarket car stuff (alarms, navigation, tint) and they tell me the same thing.

What's the deal here? I know people are getting alarms installed. Are these guys just lazy and waiting for detailed instructions from the manufacturer?

In the meantime, my alarm has been sitting in my trunk for the last month - maybe the box will scare potential thieves away.

mikochu

newbs... The guy who installed my alarm didn't have any info. He tested the wires, wrote ____ down, then installed...

DenZinz

Michael is correct....newbie installers lack the knowledge of testing the wires and finding the right connections. Stay away from the "text book" installers, they do not have a sense of the whole 12v electrical system and if it ever comes a time to troubleshoot, they will be lost. When I first started to install there was no such thing as DEI Tech Info or any type of reference book. We tested the wires and logged them in a notebook for reference.

Also any knowlegdgeable installer knows manufacture wire colors whether its a camary or a scion. Most wires are common color with the exception of a few.

Search the forum, i believe there is a scion wire referece chart somewhere.. maybe even in the TECH section.

scionspecialistvegas

There is and when I did mine there was no wiring code available, Dive in and do it, I can understand why the shop didn't wan to do it. They are familiar with thier brands and can do it in hurry, they are about the bottom dollar, the owner doesn't want the head ache. The clifford is a great alarm, but if your not familar with it it can be time consuming. I still remember the clifford nova, all negitive outputs, no such thing as built in relays, remote start that was half a day or more, not like now remote start and windows three hours and your done. Bill

CRxB

And also for those who are thinking of doing your own alarm and thinking of just diving in one advice...use a DMM(Digital Multi-Meter) when testing your wires and not those cheap ___ test lights . It'll save you from headaches.

Just my 2 cents,

scionspecialistvegas

Hubert, I can't stress that enough,In fact on my how to instructions I clearly state do use a test light. I go to some of the shops here in vegas and I still see these installers with test lights, with computer buses and data interfaces, they just don't know how much damage a test light can do. Bill

dgHotLava

do a search dude...

go here
https://www.scionlife.com/tech/elect...ing_colors.php
print it out, take it to the shop and they can use it.

or do it your self with the list.