To create this article, 18 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed , times. Learn more Ideally, remote starters should be installed by a qualified technician because improper installation can damage expensive vehicle control electronics.
However, for someone familiar with electronics and vehicle repair, knowing how to install a remote starter in a car can save money on installation costs and eliminate the frustration of finding a qualified installer. While this article provides some general instructions for wiring a remote starter, it varies by vehicle and remote starter model. To install a remote starter in a car, disconnect the battery and remove the panel covering under the steering wheel.
Next, connect the starter's black ground wire to the kick panel and solder the starter's power wire to the 12V wire attached to the car battery. Attach the accessory wire, then connect the ignition wire to the ignition output wire on the remote starter.
Lastly, attach the starter wire and connect any security components you have. For tips on keeping wires tidy, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great.
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Article Summary. Part 1. Make sure the remote starter you choose is compatible with your vehicle make and model. 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. The 12V constant wire is the one attached to the battery and is usually found in the bundle of wires attached to the ignition switch. These are the airbag wires and must not be tampered with or unplugged. To test the power wires using the multimeter attach it to the wire when the car is off and the key is out of the ignition.
It should read around 12V or the battery voltage constantly. Some vehicles will have more than one 12V constant wire. In this case identify which is fused at a higher number of amps and attach your primary power wire to this one. If your starter has two power wires, attach the second power wire on the starter to the additional 12V constant wire.
Use a soldering iron to connect all wires. This keeps them from falling apart and potentially damaging your vehicle. Add further protection by taping them completely. Find and attach the accessory wire. The accessory wire supplies power to heat and air conditioning controls and supplies 12V when the key is in the first accessory position. Attach the accessory wire on the starter to the accessory wire on the vehicle. The voltage should be zero in this position.
Turn the key into the first position but no farther. If you have found your accessory wire, the voltage will now read around 12V In this case use a relay to connect additional wires. Locate and connect the ignition wire. The ignition wire supplies power to the fuel pump and ignition system and will be attached to the ignition switch under the steering wheel. The vehicle manual or repair guides should tell you which color this wire should be.
Connect the ignition output wire on the remote starter to this wire. Attach the multimeter to the wire while it is connected to a good ground wire and it should show no voltage. Turn the key to the first position and the voltage should still read zero. In the second position, before starting the car, there should be a voltage displayed on your multimeter.
If there is, then you have identified the correct wire, if not then you must try again to locate your ignition wire. Mount the antenna to the windshield and route the antenna wire to the remote start.
Consult the installation manual for the correct programming procedure. Test the installation thoroughly. Make sure that there are no ABS or check engine lights on the dash that were not there to begin with.
If everything checks out, put the vehicle back together. Secure the remote start module to the vehicle with nylon wire ties. Travis Corkery is a writer living in Anchorage Alaska. His writing has appeared across the Internet in the form of comedy, how-to articles, blogs and product reviews. Step 1 Locate the wires to be interfaced in the vehicle. Step 2 Test the wires found with a Volt Ohm Meter or a digital multi-meter.
Step 3 Using a set of wire strippers, remove an inch or so of insulation from the wires you will be connecting. Step 4 Once all connections are made, remove a small section of paint from some metal in the kick panel area of the car, and attach your ground wire using a ring terminal and self tapping screw. Remote Starter installs can be very difficult and should not be attempted by a novice. A strong understanding of vehicle electrical systems should be possessed before attempting to install a remote start.
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