Alarm/Immobiliser Installation

[Dan25]

Is this something that I could do myself relatively easily, because the car already has central locking?

All of the local installers charge absolutely ridiculous prices for labour, so I'd rather avoid that if possible.

[aza013]

They charge because it's a sh*t of a job.
But you would be better geting them to do it for you.

[vipfto]

Is this something that I could do myself relatively easily, because the car already has central locking?

All of the local installers charge absolutely ridiculous prices for labour, so I'd rather avoid that if possible.

actually its not really that difficult, central locking relay under drivers kick panel/immobiliser goes to starter, door light switch and mains etc just takes some time but not worth what they charge

[FTEvolution]

Put it this way, if you buy a very good alarm (and why wouldn't you) you WON'T be able to do it yourself. If buy a sh*tty one, chances are good you can do it yourself.

Reasoning behind that? The good ones have all black wiring, and I would bet if you are asking about attempting it yourself, you don't have a lot of auto electrical experience, so there is a good chance you will solder something to the wrong place.

There should be mobile installers in your area. I got a mobile guy to do mine. I gave him a couple of beers and sat in the passenger seat while he installed mine. I learned a lot, including the correct way of soldering.

There are also many little intracacies they will do; like removing the entire sheath of the main wiring looms and integrating the alarm one into it. It was a bitch when I had to get into there, but there is no way a thief is going to be able to easily get into the wiring of it to disable it.

With alarms, don't skimp. It cost me $150 + GST for onsite installation back in 2006.

[rock_it]

Put it this way, if you buy a very good alarm (and why wouldn't you) you WON'T be able to do it yourself. If buy a sh*tty one, chances are good you can do it yourself.

Reasoning behind that? The good ones have all black wiring, and I would bet if you are asking about attempting it yourself, you don't have a lot of auto electrical experience, so there is a good chance you will solder something to the wrong place.

There should be mobile installers in your area. I got a mobile guy to do mine. I gave him a couple of beers and sat in the passenger seat while he installed mine. I learned a lot, including the correct way of soldering.

There are also many little intracacies they will do; like removing the entire sheath of the main wiring looms and integrating the alarm one into it. It was a bitch when I had to get into there, but there is no way a thief is going to be able to easily get into the wiring of it to disable it.

With alarms, don't skimp. It cost me $150 + GST for onsite installation back in 2006.

Although that is the case, there is ample notice of what wire is what ... Then you trim off that part while you install it .. My mate and I put mine in ... We have put in ... (OK well I mainly supervise) ...

Steel Mate Paging Alarm - Cheap but good JayCar one
Mongoose A80
Black Widow

Now the Steel Mate had coloured wiring, but the Mongoose and Black Widow had black wires with tags on them to tell you what they did .. So it was still a bit of a no brainer... All in all, alarm works fine ... No issues ...

[topao]

only cost me $50 back in 2005 to get mine done at Strathfield

[FTEvolution]

Put it this way, if you buy a very good alarm (and why wouldn't you) you WON'T be able to do it yourself. If buy a sh*tty one, chances are good you can do it yourself.

Reasoning behind that? The good ones have all black wiring, and I would bet if you are asking about attempting it yourself, you don't have a lot of auto electrical experience, so there is a good chance you will solder something to the wrong place.

There should be mobile installers in your area. I got a mobile guy to do mine. I gave him a couple of beers and sat in the passenger seat while he installed mine. I learned a lot, including the correct way of soldering.

There are also many little intracacies they will do; like removing the entire sheath of the main wiring looms and integrating the alarm one into it. It was a bitch when I had to get into there, but there is no way a thief is going to be able to easily get into the wiring of it to disable it.

With alarms, don't skimp. It cost me $150 + GST for onsite installation back in 2006.

Although that is the case, there is ample notice of what wire is what ... Then you trim off that part while you install it .. My mate and I put mine in ... We have put in ... (OK well I mainly supervise) ...

Steel Mate Paging Alarm - Cheap but good JayCar one
Mongoose A80
Black Widow

Now the Steel Mate had coloured wiring, but the Mongoose and Black Widow had black wires with tags on them to tell you what they did .. So it was still a bit of a no brainer... All in all, alarm works fine ... No issues ...

While that's great and all fantastic and all the rest, for the fact that the OP is asking if it's possible for him to do it, I would still say no. If you don't know what you are doing then you are likely making it rather easy for thieves to steal your car if you do it yourself.

If your car gets broken into, and the insurance company decided to investigate, and sees that the alarm was easily disabled because it was in an obvious place, or the wiring was sub-standard, they WILL decline the claim.

In fact, my $150 was well spent because it not only lowered my theft excess from $1500 to $200 it also lowered my premiums from $850 - $400 per year... a no brainer really. And no, there is no way you can do it yourself and have your insurance company still do that.

"What sort of car alarm do you have?"
"Dynatron 2-bajillion star"
"Who installed it?"
"Me"
"Sorry, it's either going to be $500,000 excess or no insurance at all"

Don't cut corners. Get the professionals to do it to save many headaches down the road.

EDIT for clarification! over here, if you can supply your insurance company with a receipt of installation from a qualified installer that has credentials with the NZ insurance association you will get greatly reduced premiums and excesses. Let alone that alarm manufacturers extend warranties on their goods if they were installed by qualified installers.

Oh, btw, I am not talking about getting the black wiring part wrong, I am talking about soldering or *shudder* twisting the wires into something on the car loom where it shouldn't be.

Simple answer, iget the pro's to do it... t's a no brainer.

[silverGPX]

just get the pro's to do it. trust me.

[Astron_Boy]

Steel Mate Paging Alarm - Cheap but good JayCar one

No, don't.

Despite the fact I have one, and they are a 'decent' alarm, do not get one.
More trouble than worth.

Currently installing the Steelmate in my RVR,
SO hard trying to find a place to mount that Siren in that engine bay. So Hard!

Otherwise if you understand basic electronics its a piece of piss.
Black wiring isn't such a drama id you plan ahead.

[-Nighthawk-]

$150 to install it? That cheap? I thought it would be like $500+

Also, do auto-electricians have products at their store to buy?

[I8A4RE]

$150 to install it? That cheap? I thought it would be like $500+

Also, do auto-electricians have products at their store to buy?

yes

[Dan25]

Thanks for the straight-up advice FTEvolution

I concede - I'm going to have it professionally installed...