Clifford RSX 3.5, 2004 Mazda3

I've done a few alarm installs before, but wanted to go all out this time on my new car... I ordered the Clifford RSX 3.5 (exact same alarm as Viper 791 and Python 881), and a PKF3 transponder overrider from Bypasskit. This is my first time doing a remote start, but I know enough about electronics that it shouldn't be too difficult.My main question, is what is the best way to wire this PKF3 into my alarm? It's got 5 wires: +12v, Ground, Tx, Rx, and the 5th wire (their english in the manual sucks) I'm guessing is triggered by a ground. That fifth wire I imagine is what tells it to send the key signal to the PATS. Is this a momentary signal, only needed to start the engine, or is it latched, needed to remain on while the engine runs? And, what wire from a Clifford would hook into the PKF3 to control it?The only thing I can think of is using one of the auxillary channels of the alarm and telling it to fire off that aux channel when remote starting... but I really don't want to waste one of my aux channels on that. I would think DEI would've put some kind of output to control that function...or am I right in thinking that I am going to have to sacrifice an aux? That was one of the reasons I went with the DEI, is the great number of aux channels. :) I always hear great things about CompuStar, but they only have two aux's.Thanks!

Techmaster wrote: My main question, is what is the best way to wire this PKF3 into my alarm? It's got 5 wires: +12v, Ground, Tx, Rx, and the 5th wire (their english in the manual sucks) I'm guessing is triggered by a ground. That fifth wire I imagine is what tells it to send the key signal to the PATS. Is this a momentary signal, only needed to start the engine, or is it latched, needed to remain on while the engine runs? And, what wire from a Clifford would hook into the PKF3 to control it?

All of the DEI starters offer a 'status output wire' your system has more than one of these outputs. One is the blue wire that is part of the ribbon harness to the XCR pack, one is the blue/white in the H3 connector, and one is the blue coming out of the small harness from the top of the XCR relay pack. This wire provides a negative output the entire time the remote start is active. Installation Manual.Hope this helps.

Techmaster wrote: My main question, is what is the best way to wire this PKF3 into my alarm? It's got 5 wires: +12v, Ground, Tx, Rx, and the 5th wire (their english in the manual sucks) I'm guessing is triggered by a ground. That fifth wire I imagine is what tells it to send the key signal to the PATS. Is this a momentary signal, only needed to start the engine, or is it latched, needed to remain on while the engine runs? And, what wire from a Clifford would hook into the PKF3 to control it?

The PKF3 is a very easy module to install, just make sure that you have the TX & RX wires right. I don't think that you posted the vehicle but in MOST Ford's the TX is WHITE/ LIGHT GREEN and the RX wire is GRAY/ORANGE. The 12 volt & ground are self explainatory and the GROUND WHEN RUNNING wire goes to the BLUE 200Ma status output wire.

Techmaster wrote: The only thing I can think of is using one of the auxillary channels of the alarm and telling it to fire off that aux channel when remote starting... but I really don't want to waste one of my aux channels on that. I would think DEI would've put some kind of output to control that function...or am I right in thinking that I am going to have to sacrifice an aux? That was one of the reasons I went with the DEI, is the great number of aux channels. :) I always hear great things about CompuStar, but they only have two aux's. Thanks!

The Compustar's have the status output wire as well for RS module and they have 2 AUX channels, designated trunk release and the keyless entry channels. YOu can also expand the units with the channel expander from Compustar to give you an additional 5 channels for a total of 7 AUX channels.

Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Oh neat, I didn't know about the channel expander. It sounds as if you've worked with both DEI's and CompuStars... How do you think the high-end DEI's (Viper 791, Clifford RSX 3.5, Python 881) compare to the CompuStars? One thing that turned me off about the CompuStars is in the pictures I've seen, judging on the items that are next to it, the remotes are rediculously large. From what I've been able to tell, DEI's Responder remotes are a good bit smaller. I know the DEI's should at least be great alarms, far better than the K-9 I had on one of my previous cars.I've had several cars with alarms:93 Probe with an Excalibur - I liked the Excalibur. It never gave me any problems, although it was a very basic alarm.2000 Civic with a K-9 - I really wasn't impressed with it. I wanted an Excalibur but they were out of them, and they told me "We'll add on the accessories to make the K-9 equivalent to the Excalibur." I know they're supposed to be basically the same, but I had a lot of problems with the K-9.2002 RSX with Ungo (forget what model) - I felt that I knew enough about electronics to do an alarm install, and this was my first alarm install EVER. This ended up being incredibly easy, and took far less time than it took to install front speakers in the car. (2 hours vs 10 hours ... yes RSX front speakers are a bitch install!) I've heard from so many people that Ungo alarms aren't any good, but I absolutely loved that alarm. Never had one single problem with it at all. Of course alarms are only as good as their install, and I did it right. Every connection was soldered. No scotch taps like some places use.Next Project:2004 Mazda3s with Clifford RSX 3.5 - I've read all the install docs for the alarm, and know the wiring for my car, so I'm confident I can do it. Wish me luck. :)

One other question I thought of is how do trunk poppers work? I understand the electrical part, but how does it physically work? Where do you put in the car (trunk?), and how do you attach it to the trunk release cable? The lack of trunk popper on the keyless entry remote is a major weakness in the Mazda3, so it would be nice for me to add that functionality. :)

I've done some other alarms before, but am about to attempt my first DEI. I went through the documentation and figured out what wires go where, but have some questions as well. This is for a Clifford RSX 3.5 (same as Viper 791 and Python 881) going in a 2004 Mazda3. 1. WHITE/ blue - remote start activation input - I'm guessing this is so something external can signal this wire and the alarm will start the engine. Am I right? 2. heavy duty relay satellite - It has two red wires, and I have two +12v wires in my ignition. Perfect! But there's an output for the "accessory" circuit. I don't think the A/C runs off accessory, it's only when ignition is ON, so is that really needed? (and if not, can the 2nd red +12v wire be omitted?) 3. in the same relay satellite - There are pink/white and RED / white wires. I'm guessing if you don't need the pink/white one then you don't need the RED / white one? 4. it says the hood pin switch is required for the remote start. Is this just a safety feature, that if omitted will not prevent functionality? Or will I have to at least hook it up to *something*? 5. It says the 2nd status output "turns on rear defogger if vehicle interior is below 55F"... How does it know the temp? Is there a temp sensor already in the brains of the unit? Or does this require anything extra? Thanks!

1. if you have a factiry remote hook thios wire to a lock wire and it will start the car- you dont need it just cut and tape it off. 2. Put the two red wires to constant 12volts, pink to ign 1 (GREEN/ YELLOW (+)), orange to acc1 ( PINK / YELLOW (+)), and pink/white to acc 2 (YELLOW (+))- remember to program the pink/white to accessory not ignition in programming. 3. The RED / white goes to 12 volt constant also. Always hook everything up for a remote starter with ignition switch. 4. The hood pin does not need to be hooked up but it a VERY GOOD idea to do so. If you dont just make sure it does not touch ground or else the car will not start. 5. On the viper system the 2nd status can be programmed for rear defroster, but i dont know about the temp thing- it may be only for the cliffords. You may need a relay for this.