Install a car starter

Read the box or contact the remote starter manufacturer to determine if it is compatible with your vehicle. You will want a starter that is compatible with your anti-theft system and secure.

Read the installation instructions carefully. Installation instructions vary according to different brands and models of remote starters. It is important to carefully read the installation instructions and find the wiring diagrams for your particular starter. If you choose a used unit or one that does not include directions, check out online instructions before making a purchase. Make sure the website is easy to use and has complete, printable directions and wiring diagrams that clearly show how to install a remote starter in your car.

Become familiar with the wires in your vehicle by looking over the manual and repair guides. Some standard wire connections include the starter, ignition, power and accessory controls like heat and air conditioning, security or alarm system, radio and power locks.

Gather all the tools and equipment you will need. Consult your manuals to determine which tools you will need for your particular starter and vehicle.

A digital multimeter is recommended for testing during and after installation. Some remote starters will come with all the necessary tools so check your box.

For example, many systems come with an LED circuit tester to find the necessary wires for installation. It is recommended that you solder all your wires together to form better connections. If you choose to solder you will need a soldering iron and safety glasses.

Decide where to put the main module and open the area. The usual position is inside the lower dash underneath the steering wheel. This way you can connect directly to the ignition wiring.

Possible alternative locations include spaces above the radio or glove compartment, the center console and above the dashboard fuse box. Go over the car to make sure everything is working properly prior to installation.

Check the battery, switches, lights and other systems. If any electrical systems are not working correctly then you should fix them prior to beginning your installation. Remove the seat where the control module will be installed if possible. Removing the seat will give you more room to work while installing the system. If you cannot remove the seat then slide the chair all the way backwards.

Disconnect the battery. When working on the electrical system of your vehicle it is safer to disconnect the battery to prevent any shocks. To test the wires you will need to have the battery connected but disconnect it while you are soldering wires together to be safe. When testing the wiring with the battery connected, make sure you do not probe any air bag circuit. Most of these are encased in a yellow cover for safety.

Part 2. Remove the panel covering under the steering wheel. Use a screwdriver to remove the panel covering the underside of the steering column. This is where you will access the wires to connect the starter. Depending on your vehicle you may also need to remove the lower steering column cover to access the ignition switch harness. If your vehicle has an anti theft system, it is likely that you will need to remove this cover. If you choose to connect your remote starter to other functions such as the door locks and overhead lights then you will need to remove the kick panel as well.

Connect all your wires properly. It is very important that you securely connect all your wires. Loose wires can cause injury or major property damage. It is best to solder all your connections to ensure that they are strong. You should also use heat shrink tubing where possible and a good quality electrical tape where you cannot. If there are two wires then split them and insert the attaching wire between them.

Wrap the attaching wire around the stripped wire and solder them together using the soldering iron. Once they are securely attached, wrap electrical tape around the connection and use ties to hold them in place.

Lightly tug on the wires to make sure they do not become loose. Connect the ground wire. The ground wire will be part of the starter and is often black. Connect this by screwing through the ring terminal into a clean, unpainted metal surface in the kick panel area. This wire is very important for the proper functioning of your vehicle. Because it is so important, it is better to connect the ground wire to a location in the kick panel as opposed to being close to the ignition switch in the dash.

Also, it is better to use a separate grounding location to prevent feedback through wiring that may cause computer failures. Locate the 12V constant wire on the vehicle and attach the power wire of your system to it. Add in the cost of parts and a ring gear replacement could easily reach a thousand dollars or more. The newest remote car starters may allow you to start or unlock your car through a smartphone app instead of a key fob.

Choose the mouse button you want to click and choose the click type. Tighten the bolts of the starter. Modern technology allows you to ignite your remote car starter from a smartphone, a remote or both for a wider coverage! Next, remove the old starter and slide the new starter into place. Following the manufacturer's manual, you must program the remote to do your bidding.

It can also trigger keyless entry, unlock your doors, open sunroofs or any other function you have it programmed for. One of the most important things the installer will do during this step is disconnect the battery. Wiring is the most difficult part of the process and uncomfortable for the installer. This is why good bench prep is so important. If the installer is not prepared before getting under the dash, they are more prone to errors.

During this process the installer has to connect all of the wires of the system to the correct inputs within the vehicle. This includes adding all the accessory options, connecting the security, anti-theft, and other optional components. Flashing is where the installer must learn the remote starter to the vehicle. Every vehicle with a bypass module requires vehicle specific firmware because the car has no understanding of how the hardware works.

Only an Authorized Compustar Retailer has access to this firmware. The firmware is important because this is how they debug any issues within the system and update the hardware with new features. If your starter isn't working, try hitting it with a piece of wood or a hammer. This might loosen up the starter enough so you can drive your car to a repair shop to get the issue fixed.

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