avistart 4000xl 98 mercury sable

Hello everyone. I just ordered a remote start system for my Sable and I was hoping for a bit of guidance throughout the installation process. I've already got plenty of questions, and I'm sure there'll be more, so if you're interested in doing a bit of mentoring, here's your chance.

The remote starter is an Avital 4000xl, should be here in a week or so. I had trouble tracking down the wiring guide, but discovered that its essentially the same system as the 4100, only with one remote instead of two. Wiring Guide (39 page pdf) After reading through I'm confident I understand whats going on, for the most part. I figured out I needed to buy the DEI 555f to bypass the anti-theft system, so I ordered that too. I guess I'll go through the installation guide, jot down some questions, and post em up.

I guess I'll lay it out in terms of each connection I'll have to make. I'm going in the same order its in on page 10 of the guide. If you notice something definitely wrong, please let me know. And anything with a question mark I have at least some concern I'd like to figure out before attempting this install, so help would be great.

H1/1 - (?)don't understand
H1/2 - (?)don't understand
H1/3 - to bypass my factory remote system
H1/4 - signal from remote (?)
H1/5 - (not used)
H1/6 - signal from remote (?)
H1/7 - trunk release (?)
H1/8 - GROUND
H1/9 - light flash function (?)

Heavy Duty:

Red(2) - 12v
Pink - Ignition
Orange - Accessory
Purple - Starter
Pink/White - 2nd Accessory

H2/1 - Neutral Safety Switch (?)
H2/2 - tachometer signal
H2/3 - brake light signal
H2/4 - hood pin switch (?)
H2/5 - defogger (?)

Ok. So now that I have each of the steps of my install laid out, I can go through and ask the questions I have.

As far as H1/1 and H1/2 go, I don't even really understand what they're trying to accomplish, so I really can't figure out how I need to wire it and where. Maybe if someone rephrased it all for me...

Are H1/4 and H1/7 the inputs from the antenna?

How does the Neutral Safety Switch work on a Sable? Just trying to figure out what wire to splice that with.

Hood pin switch - where is this circuit found on the car?

I really want this install to be clean and include everything, so its important to me to hook up the turnk release, light flash, and rear defogger circuits correctly. Each doesn't look too confusing, but I'm sure I'll have a question or two as I study them more.

Thanks for reading...

1998 Mercury Sable LS, 3.0L 24v V6.

H1/1 and 2 are only for if you have a factory alarm, these wires will arm and disarm the factory system together with the aftermarket!

H1/4 is for adding an external trigger source for remote starting, such as a button for example!

H1/7 is a negative trigger low current output that can be used for trunk release!

H1/9- for the parking lights to give visual confirmation of arm/disarm/trigger and remote start status!

H2/1- this wire needs to see ground in order for the remote start to function, you can either wire it to a switch that switches ground to the wire, or you can wire it directly to ground, either or!

H2/4 this wire must not see ground in order for remote start purposes, connect this to a pinswitch that is depressed by the hood when it is closed!

H2/5 this wire is low current negative trigger that can control your defrost circuit or anything that needs a trigger to function upon ignition from the remote start!

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COMMIT YOUR WAY TO JEHOVAH AND HE WILL ACT IN YOUR BEHALF. PSALMS 37:5

H1/4 and 7 are not antenna inputs!

The hood switch circuit is normally manually installed unless the vehicle comes from the factory with one! Someone else may be able to confirm this!

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COMMIT YOUR WAY TO JEHOVAH AND HE WILL ACT IN YOUR BEHALF. PSALMS 37:5

thanks so far. already cleared up a lot. little things here and there, though. just for a better understanding of what's going on. for the three accessories (trunk, lights, and defrost), where would I splice into them? i think the use of relays is confusing me. is the defroster a latching relay? do i just have to trip it or do i have to send it constant power to keep it on? and for the lights, will they just flash or stay on? or does the remote start module take care of that? lot of questions, i know. its just easier to picture installing if i know what's going on.

ps i found this page, it might help.

Sorry, this page:

https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/alarmdetail/1501.html

Just finished the installation. It doesn't quite work yet. Got a couple of questions.

First of all, I think I may have the 555f module wired incorrectly. When I go to remote start it, the car goes into accessory mode, and I can hear a couple relays clicking, but nothing happens. It seems to attempt a start three times before giving up. The little red "theft" light in the instrument panel blinks rapidly each time, too. The only thing I'm not sure about is that module, and since it seems to want to start, I figured it was a good place to start. I've followed the "learn" procedure for the transponder many times, to no avail. Right now, I have the red wire from the 555f to 12vDC, and I have the blue wire to H1/1 from the remote start module. Do I need a relay?

Second question. I read somewhere else in the forum directions how to make the remote start work with your factory remote. I really want to take advantage of this, partially because I like the factory remote better, and partially because it saves me a few splices. The procedure involved tapping into the horn circuit to ground the trigger with the horn chirps when I press lock multiple times. I already wired a momentary switch to H1/4, and I spliced that wire to the horn circuit. Unfortunately, I hooked it to the steering wheel horn signal, not the keyless entry horn signal. This poses two problems: it doesn't work with the remote, and the horn sounds when I press the trigger button. I guess my question would be where could I find and what color would the correct wire be? Also, if you have an alternative, i'd love to hear it, especially if it taps into something other than the horn circuit. Thanks for your help.

After reading through a few other threads, I feel like I should have used some relays. Right now I have none. I know I need one for when I hook up my rear defrost circuit, and since I'm planning on using the factory remote, I don't need to hook up power locks or trunk release. If there is anywhere else I should be using a relay, please tell me now before I destroy something. I might as well list the connections I've made

H1/1 - Blue on 555f (with red on 555f to 12vDC)
H1/4 - Dark Blue above accelerator pedal (horn) and momentary switch
H1/8 - Ground

Heavy Gauge Red (2) - 12vDC
H.G. Pink - RED / Lt Green from ignition switch
H.G. Orange - RED / Black at A/C
H.G. Purple - RED / Lt Blue from ignition switch

H2/1 - to supplied cut-off switch, then to ground
H2/2 - Yellow/Black on passengers side of firewall
H2/3 - RED / Lt Green above brake pedal
H2/4 - Hood Pinswitch

And thats it. Please help. Thanks.

Just decided to try it holding my key right next to the ignition switch. The car starts for a second and a half, and then dies. Uh oh.