Any tips or stories?

tfpary · April 13, 2002

I am about to install a remote starter in my 97 Suburban. Anybody have any tips or stories? I know I could have had it installed, but I like to look at the bottom of my dash Just like changing my oil, it gives me a chance to check out the truck.

Thanks again

Its a Bulldog unit. Not sure if I am going to hook up the remote entry or not (already have this).

tfpary

ClipperSkipper · April 13, 2002

These units are fairly complex and time consuming,

we usually farm them out to a local stereo/alarm/remote

installer who has a couple of guys who do these systems after hours. Nominal cost is ~$90.00.

When was the last time you removed a door panel?

tfpary · April 14, 2002

They are complex to install yet the guys at the local stereo shop only charge you $90 for their effort? :sideways:

96 Vortec · April 14, 2002

People think I'm nuts for this until they try it. When using your alarm remote, put it to your chin and press the button and you will use your head as an antenna and gain up to about hundred feet on your transmitter.

Trust me.

scooter70 · April 15, 2002

I put a Bulldog remote starter in my 2000 Z71 pickup last fall. It's not that hard. They give you all of the instructions that you need. You just have to go to their website and find the wire run list for your truck. This lists the location and color of every wire that you have to splice. I'm a mechanical engineer and had my EE friend there holding my beer while I did the wiring. As long as you understand how the truck's electrical systems work, you should be ok. If you're afraid to try, pay the guy at the stereo shop to do it.

The only wire that I had to cut was the one for PasslockII to put their bypass module in. This bypass only works when you hit the remote button, so the security system works as normal othewise.

The only thing that I did wrong was that I used the wrong wire for the dome light, so if I remote start the truck and then try to unlock the door, the dome light doesn't come on. No big deal, I just have to get back under the dash and find the right one eventually.

Everything you need is under the dash. The other tricky part was finding a wire for the parking lights. I ended up pulling out the headlight switch and splicing into the wire right behind the switch. Otherwise, all of the wires on my truck were either going up the column to the ignition switch or at the BCM (body control module) under the dash.

All in all, I'd say it took me the better part of a Saturday. I posted about the install just after I did it.

See Remote start link and My post after the install Let me know if you have any questions. BTW, I hooked up the door lock/unlock button, but never use it. I still use the factory keyless entry.

Hope this helps,

Matt

LarryE · April 15, 2002

People think I'm nuts for this until they try it. When using your alarm remote, put it to your chin and press the button and you will use your head as an antenna and gain up to about hundred feet on your transmitter.

Trust me.

not nuts.. only us smart ppl know that trick, it works extremely well in a crowded parking lot.

95 Silverado · April 19, 2002

I've installed a few of these also, I like the "bulldog" units the best. the outboard relays work better than the internal types. I hooked one up with internal relays and it kept blowing the fuse for the remote start. they try to power everything through the remote start unit when you start the car, the unit only had one 30 amp fuse on the main wire, I had to wire up external relays to lessen the load on the unit fuse, (like the bulldog set-up) no more problems after adding the extra relays.