add alarm to 2012 impala lt

I have a 2012 Impala LT, equipped with factory remote start, but no factory alarm. I just want to add a decent alarm with features like shock sensing and glass breakage, and preferably keep using the factory keyfobs. I've looked at several setups, and the more I research it seems the more confused I get as to what I actually need. I emailed directed and was told the DBALL2-Pro is what I need, and I'm assuming they meant in standalone mode. (I'm guessing I could also pair that with an aftermarket alarm wired D2D and gain range and 2 way paging later if I want to) The Fortin EVO-ALL also looks like a comparable option, and I also noticed Directed makes a standalone 3902-T CANbus alarm, but I have no clue if it would be aware of my factory remote start. I'm trying to keep this as low budget as I can for now. Does anyone have any insight, or good options I may have overlooked?

Audiovox PRO-9233N (great product, but horrible installation instructions that require a lot of patience)

Automate AM1 (intended to be sold to car-dealer expeditors; might be a little hard to find for consumer purchase)

Both of those models come with door-open sensing, a shock sensor, a horn-honk output, starter kill, and are armed/disarmed by connecting to the wires that power the car's existing power doorlock actuators.

I haven't tried a DBALL2Pro.

The EVO-ALL is the opposite of what you want; it adds remote starter to the factory remote, but your Impala already has that.

-------------------------

You said you want t add a pager later? That complicates things a little.

PRO-9233N can be connected to Audiovox CarLink (I'm pretty sure.) It should text your phone if someone breaks into the car, but the part is expensive ($200-is) and $89/year service plan.

You could get a basic, 2-way pager alarm, but you'll need to ONLY use that remote to lock/unlock the car, and still carry your OEM remote for remote starting.

Third option is to just pretend like you don't even have an OEM remote starter, and just install a complete, 2-way alarm/starter combo. PROS: Longer remote-start range and runtime, everything on one simple remote. CONS: You'll lose the cool features the OEM remote start has, like automatically controlling heat/ac, and keeping the radio silent........aftermarket remote start will leave the climate controls the way they were when you last parked, and the radio will come on during remote start.

My only concern with the analog wired alarms tat arm/disarm off the factory solenoids is the remote start triggering the alarm. My factory RS sequence is to press the lock button, release it, then hold the start button on the remote for 3 seconds.

Chris Luongo wrote:

---

The EVO-ALL is the opposite of what you want; it adds remote starter to the factory remote, but your Impala already has that.

---

Chris, the EVO-ALL will either add a remote car starter, or an alarm system, or both. It's customizable in the FLU/FLM menu.

You would be better to install a remote starter/alarm system combo unit. There is no way to utilize the factory remote starter with an aftermarket alarm installed. Activating the factory remote starter will trigger the aftermarket alarm's sensors and trip the alarm. You will get better range and features using a combo unit.

-------------
sparky

I assumed a canbus connected solution would be able to detect a factory remote start initiation and disarm the alarm, but it seems that's not the case. Maybe the easiest solution for now is using 2 remotes, I could disarm the alarm then remote start. It would be awesome if there was a remote that could learn the functions of both the alarm and oe remotes like a universal tv remote!

Check your car again for a content factory alarm. Sit inside the car and use the remote to lock the doors. Wait one minute then unlock the door manually by moving the door lock lever. Open the door and see if it triggers an alarm. If it has one, you can get creative and add a sensor to interface with the alarm.


-------------
sparky

Thanks Sparkie, I'll try that tomorrow. I locked the door and immediately opened it, wasn't aware I had to wait a minute for it to arm.

Ok I just had a ridiculous "think outside the box" idea, I wonder if I could add an aftermarket alarm, and hardwire the remote start output to trigger an additional oem keyfob hidden in the car. I could solder into the button pad circuits on the keyfob, and the biggest challenge would be figuring out a way to momentarily close the lock button circuit, then close and hold the start button circuit for 4 seconds. If I could pull it off I could have an awesome 2 way paging alarm system that remote starts via the oem radio signal thus retaining all of the conveniences of the OEM remote start (automatic selection of proper climate control mode, rear defogger, and no radio blaring) and also have the 1 mile range and 2 way paging of an aftermarket alarm. The only aggravation would be periodically changing the hidden remote battery but I'm sure if I get that far I can easily drop the 12 volts to 3 volt and hardwire that part as well.

I am really thinking my crazy idea is achievable. The fob will be a piece of cake to solder wires onto, and I think I can setup a couple of time delay relays or even a small microprocessor to cover the button sequence/timing. I'll wire it up so the "Start" output of the remote start which normally spins the starter will simply activate my custom interface. I'll have to hookup the tach wire so the RS detects the engine has started, and also figure a way to make a remote shutdown happen through the oem fob. If anyone can think of a reason this is a bad idea or will not work please speak up, as I may have overlooked something in my excitement!     

The alarm will trigger when the car starts. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Get a combo unit and be done.

-------------
sparky

I'm planning to use a combo unit and use the aftermarket remote fob to control it... the only thing I'm going to do differently on the install is wire the start function to activate an oem keyfob instead of directly powering the car circuits. The alarm should expect the car to start since it will be sending the request out. I'm looking at this as an experiment, more for fun at this point than expecting it to work. If it doesn't work out I can always rewire the remote start functions to the car like a normal install.

I guess you have a lot of time to waste. It won't work right. You asked for experienced advice and got it. Do what you want.



-------------
sparky

At which time our OP might find it easier, less time wasting and cheaper to add an R/S with security.

-------------
Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.

Thanks Howie.

-------------
sparky

sparkie wrote:

---

The alarm will trigger when the car starts.

---

Sparkie is correct. Listen to him.

tdf1974 wrote:

---

The alarm should expect the car to start since it will be sending the request out.

---

That's not the way it works. When the alarm is armed, if it 'sees' the ignition become live it will be triggered. On a DEI alarm, this is a Zone 5 trigger.

R/S systems have an IGN out wire TO the alarm. When the R/S activates, this wire remains dead, so an armed alarm isn't triggered by IGN becoming live.

Thank you for giving a valid reason and area I may run into an
Issue. The thing is the factory RS does not utilize the typical ignition circuits.   Everything on this car is canbus, nothing is directly controlled, turning the key only sends the PCM a signal to engage the starter, turning the key m

Stupid phone. As I was saying a factory rs does everything through the module network, the ignition key circuits never change state. It's all a mute point, I've decided to wait it out a while and see if the aftermarket offers a more seamless integration to the factory remote start. GM has now made remote start standard on most models, which means more people will wish to add alarms to these vehicles.

All of the leading alarm R/S manufacturers offer seamless integration via the vehicle data networks so your last comment is wrong.

-------------
Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.

My original question was regarding which interface would work best with oem remotes, all I got was "install a full featured alarm with remote start". ok. given the fact I'm now ok with not using the oem remotes are you saying an interface will initiate a remote start via factory protocol, and include all the amenities of a factory remote start? That's all I'm after at this point.

Yes and with at least the DEI product, alarm plus R/S plus DB-ALL2 your factory fobs will
Control at least the aftermarket alarm though of course for longer range you will need to use the DEI remotes.
You're making assumptions without learning.

-------------
Amateurs assume, don't test and have problems; pros test first. I am not a free install service.
Read the installation manual, do a search here or online for your vehicle wiring before posting.

Thanks Howie, exactly what I needed to know. Back to where I started! It sounds like a dball2 will be adequate, no need to go all out with the dball2pro. If I want long range and 2 way I should go with one of the better DEI alarms (5706 looks perfect for my needs) but if i go with a cheaper alarm at the very least I need something capable of D2D to easily interface the Dball2.   I'll definitely need the XKloader2 or new xkloader3 programmer to flash the appropriate firmware, and maybe a bitwriter if I want to change certain advanced features in the alarm.