Installer Questions For alarm install

Hey guys, Normally I install all my own stuff, along with friends and others, but with time constraints I just dont have 5 or 6 hours to install my New alarm to the way i want it. Question being, What are some questions I should ask the installer before allowing him to tinker with my car? I hate to be doing this, but with no free time in the foreseeable future and a $2,500 Stereo, its kind of important. Not to mention its 110 degrees out here in california, and the remote start should be nice. So ya... I've already made sure he solders all his connections, and I know the guy pretty well... Im sure he'll do a good job, but what other questions should I ask him... I already have some in mind, but this thread should definately help newbies with no experience at all.

ask him to go over the installation. where he plans do put the led, hide the brain, valet switch, etc. how he hides all of the wiring.just use your own knowledge when asking questions.gcorrea

Ya those are pretty much what i was gonna ask... i guess I'm just nervous.. I know everything will be fine... It's just my baby, you know? I know I should be doing the install myself.. but I've already had an attempted break in... It's not gonna happen again without me knowing it.

even ask to see his work on other cars if possible. i dont mind showing vehicles ive worked on, after all thats your second biggest investment. thats why i always take pictures of all the work i do. and because i take pride on what i do.gcorrea

Well limiting time is an installer's enemy. The whole quality/quantity issue. Also remember, there is nothing wrong with asking question or making suggestions, but when what you request takes more time then there will be additional cost. Personally I have never really taken pictures of my work, I wish I had in retrospect.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

i work out of my house so my wife takes the pictures while im doing the work. keeps me from not stopping work. whether im cutting mdf for a box or under the dash looking for wires, she is snapping pictures left and right. gcorrea

Well Thanks For the help guys, the alarm was installed yesterday and unfortunately I had to have someone else pick it up for me. I know how to use the alarm but there were a few issues... First of all I had asked that an LED scanner be used in place of the the original red LED, that wasnt installed, nor is it in my car. Secondly the LED that they did install with randomly flash, but not very much, if it at all. Third, the biggest issue is that now when driving my car, with my headlights and my stereo on my voltage drops down to 11 volts sometimes lower... My headlights dim also. This only happens when stopped at a light or whatever, but when Im driving and the rpm's are over 1,500 then the voltage is fine, almost 14, like normal... Im bringing it back in this morning and I want a lot of answers or there's going to be a big issue on their hands. Any ideas what could cause this voltage issue? The install more or less is very clean, placement of everything was actually done really well. Soldered Connections and all. This voltage problem is a pretty big problem seeing as how I dont want, or need to be buying another battery soon. Remember this was not a problem AT ALL before they installed the alarm. Any ideas guys?

Also, the alarm is an Autopage RS-720 and I believe they set it up with a voltage sensing remote start. I dont see how this could affect the Voltage running the vehicle when it isnt remote started though.

Not to really get too far into it, the alarm shouldn't be able to draw enough current under any circumstance(RS is the exception and only when active) that it would dim the lights while driving or really at anyother time. On the other hand if you had a weak battery and they left the key on while installing it, the battery could have went dead. When a battery goes dead on a bad battery it will never charge to full capacity again. It could also have a bad cell in it after something like that happens. Unfortunately this is a no fault situation, they have to have the key on to test wires for RS and there is no way they could have known the battery's status. What I would recommend is that you go get the battery/alternator checked at an autoparts store, don't go into why you think it went bad (everyone blames the first thing that comes to mind, also I have made Dealership service managers look very stupid in front of customer's and their bosses by showing them up and diagnosing the ACTUAL problem in 5 minutes and their guy spent 40 hours on to determine it was something it wasn't) and see what they say. But definately have the install double checked. Also, scanners cannot replace the alarm's led. They tie into ground when armed and cannot give status of the alarm. How are you determining the voltage? If other then a meter then it is probably off. Most gauges are crap.Certified Security Specialist

Always check info with a digital multimeter.

I promise to be good.

Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Ya I brought it back into the shop, was very kind and courteous about the situation... The battery seems to be perfectly fine. What it looks to be is the alternator going bad, being as it is charging fine at higher rpm's, just when lower it's not cutting it. I'm going to have the alternator tested at the dealership tomorrow and see how that goes... Its just really strange how everything can be working perfectly fine yesterday and today its all messed up... I'm not blaming the install, things happen... But It's just really odd that something would just happen to start being a problem after the remote start is installed.