alarm in my 87 mercedes

Hi guys... I have a 1987 Mercedes 260E that did not come with a factory alarm that started in 1988. It has vacuum locks as standard....but I am not sure exactly where to start or what alarm system I should buy that will work. 1) Keyless 2) Need a horn. I don't need a crazy fancy system, just something that if someone opens the doors the alarm will go off. Smashing a window would probably too difficult I assume for an older model like this? --- My car got keyed last week and my friends car got broken into for an iPod so I really want to get an alarm ASAP now. Where do I start? I have rebuilt engines and did my audio install myself, so I am a pretty good DIY'er if lead in the right direction. Thanks, Robert1987 Mercedes 260E

Viper 1002 with the optional 508d proximity sensor will fit the bill perfectly, it has instructions for your form of locking plus you can set the lock time to 3.5 secs to accommodate the vacuum time. When you're ready to start post again, I'll take you through it.

Sweet. Ordered that model. Looks like I can add the sensor later if I want to. I'll bump the thread if the instructions are confusing to me. Thanks, Robert1987 Mercedes 260E

Pay attention to the trunk switch. If the switch AND light are in the lid, the switch is positive and you have to reroute the ground side through that switch. If the light is under the rear shelf don't worry.

the switch is in the lid, the light is under the shelf. So nothing to worry about you say? Since I know nothing about alarms and how they work -- how do they recognize lets say someone smashes the window? Or is that with power locks only? (Are vacuum locks considered power locks?)1987 Mercedes 260E

You're OK, BROWN / red* I believe in the loom coming out of the trunk lid by the support. *Pop the trunk light it should have 2 wires, RED / white(?) and BROWN / something. You want the BROWN / something. Re your second question, I've already mentioned the 508d.

Got the kit! Going through the main harness first and figuring out which wires I need. Bare with me here....Newbie, but trying my best: Main Harness: Red = +12v constant Brown = Siren (+) Yellow = +12v ignition ---> I'll figure this wire out in my factory service manual Black = GND Now the ones I am not sure about: Do I need any of them? Violet = (+) Door Trigger input....??? Green = (-) Door Trigger Input... ??? Blue = (-) Instant Trigger Input....??? BLACK/ White = High current output from on-board domelight supervision relay...No idea what this is haha WHITE/ Blue = 200 mA (-) channel 3 output...??? White = parking light flash output...Is this to flash the lights when you lock the car....or ? Orange = GND when armed....??? Door Lock Harness This is a little confusing... What are those lock / unlock relays? 1987 Mercedes 260E

Oh also, I have some 18 gauge speaker wire...is that good enough to use to extend my 12v wires to the battery with? Or should I get some 12 gauge?1987 Mercedes 260E

From your questions I'm very much wondering whether you should do this yourself rather than having it professionally installed..but I did say I'd help so here goes. Red brown and yellow, up through it's base and into the underhood fusebox. Underneath the fuses you will find the cable entry. Red to the battery (input side of fuses coloured red). Yellow to pink/red. Brown out through the fuse box to the siren's red wire, ground it's black wire. Violet ignore. Green diode out into a "Y" 1N4004, bands away from alarm, one side to either front door pin switch BROWN / white (I think, it's a hell of a time since I've done one, it's the side that goes to ground when either front door is opened. Also connect the BLACK/ white to the same point. Take other side to either rear dome light switch on dash or up into rear door (either) pin switch, I believe BROWN / grey, but again TEST). Blue gets a Y connection just as the green above, one end goes to a hood pin switch. You're better off going to a Benz dealer and buying the factory alarm switch. The other end goes to the trunk switch as mentioned in a previous post. Failure to use diodes in either the green or blue above might give you lots of grief such as a flat battery. Ignore WHITE/ blue and orange. White as you thought, again to fusebox, again you might have to diode out in a "Y", this time the bands away from the alarm, if you have 2 separate fuses. Door lock harness confusing? How? I couldn't explain it any better. Except the wire you are looking for, blue or green is in the floor harness each side. Each one has it's own loom, carefully open it's a rubbery style sheath, the other two colours in each loom will be RED / white and BROWN / black. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL, there are PNEUMATIC lines there..

Errata green and blue wires, diodes