compustar cm4200 99 wrangler

I got a remote starter off ebay. Its a compustar with a cm4200 brain. I got a transponder bypass kit too. I was thinking to try and install it on my own but I am not sure.

My main concern is there are so many wires that came with the starter. The wrangler vehicle only shows about 8 different wires to look for on the car. In the youtube how to the guy from lessco puts a pair of wires into a screw gun and uses it to whined up the wires so are shorter.

I guess I am having trouble figuring out which wires from the remote starter I need to put together. Or do I?

Thanks and sorry for being a complete beginner, I have installed a few cd players and speakers before....

Do you own and know how to properly use a DMM. Have you done any other wiring in a car before and are confident in your abilities and knowledge with the wiring? If the answer to either question above is "No" then I would recommend having it done professionally. I'm all about diving in and learning, but a remote starter is not something you want to learn on. Start off with a radio or something simple to learn your way around the 12volt world. Then by all means dive in.

If the answer was "Yes" to both questions above then by all means, dive in. We will be here to help. But make sure to test each and every wire before connecting to make sure it is the right wire. Just because a diagram says "Red in the driver kick panel" doesn't mean its the only red there. There can be 5 or more red wires and only 1 is the one you need. Also make sure to stay WAY AWAY from any yellow plug/harness. They are your airbag wires and that is not a system you want to mess with... haha.

There are multiple wires on the unit that you will not use. Some people choose to remove them from the harness completely, but I prefer just cutting them around 6" long or so that way if I ever want to use them in the future I can simply extend them to where I need.

If you would like and can give me some time I will try to put together an exact wire to wire chart for you (as long as I can find an install manual for the CM4200) if you decide to go ahead with the install.

Edit: Almost forgot, is the vehicle an automatic or manual transmission?


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Kenny
Owner / Technician
KKD Garage LLC
Albany, NY 12205

The latest install guide should be in the box.  Here is a link to an earlier version :  https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/file.asp?ID=1067

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Soldering is fun!

The link you provided is for a factory ford remote start. I think you meant to post this in the other thread??? haha. I found an install manual online for a CM4200DX which I'm assuming is the same? I'll try to make up a quick guide on my break.

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Kenny
Owner / Technician
KKD Garage LLC
Albany, NY 12205

not sure how well this will show up but if you can't read it then PM me your email and I can email you the file before I leave here (I leave around 3).



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Kenny
Owner / Technician
KKD Garage LLC
Albany, NY 12205

I didn't have any of the programming options on hand so you may have to go through them once you complete the install and change whatever may need to be changed.

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Kenny
Owner / Technician
KKD Garage LLC
Albany, NY 12205

thanks you so much for the help. I have put in a couple cd players and have installed a relay to run my blower fan so my heater will stop melting my switch.

I guess by dmm you are referring to a multimeter, I am not familiar with how to use mine but do have one on hand. I just never could figure out how to use it.

I also have a 99 with the transponder key so I bought a compustar kit to bypass it with a second key. I suppose that simply plugs into the brain and around where the key goes.

Thanks again!

I am looking at the install manual and the cn1 has a relay already installed for the starter wire. Does this mean I am going to have to cut the starter wire rather than being able to tap splice it? This concerns me...

that is for starter kill/anti grind. If you dont need it cut away te relay and just connect YELLOW to the start wire.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

Are you sure you have the transponder key? I didn't think the 99s had it. What does your key look like? Is it a triangular head or a round head? If its a round head is it black or gray? It is a transponder key ONLY if it is a round, gray head.

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Kenny
Owner / Technician
KKD Garage LLC
Albany, NY 12205

the relay is attatched to the yellow and the red(from the green+red) both on cn1. What about the smaller red wire?

Why would one need or not need the starter kill/anti grind?? I am a noob thanks

if you want the start kill leave everything, if you dont want the start kill snip all wires to the relay. just leave the thick yellow wire.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

if i dont have the starter kill and say I start the car but decide I dont want to leave right then do I have to go to the car to shut it off then?

no, just press the start button again on the remote and it will shut off.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

The starter kill has only 2 features.
1) it will disconnect your starter wire if the alarm is set off (preventing someone from jamming a screwdriver into your cylinder and starting it... but if they really want to steal it, they will bypass your starter kill in a second).
2) It acts as an anti-grind if you have it connected as such (using the status output). This way if you get in the car and turn the key too far (to the cranking position) it will not grind your starter.

I personally rarely ever use the starter kill. Anyone who really wants to steal the car will bypass it in a second, and I'm careful with turning the key. But thats me.

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Kenny
Owner / Technician
KKD Garage LLC
Albany, NY 12205

so I have to insert the key before driving the vehicle then? Didnt know that but Im new thanks....do most people use the relay or not? I think id rather not cut thru the starter wire..

you still need a key to drive.

you have to use a relay if you want the starter kill or anti-grind.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

co_crawler wrote:

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so I have to insert the key before driving the vehicle then? Didnt know that but Im new thanks....do most people use the relay or not? I think id rather not cut thru the starter wire..

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If you are just using it for the remote start and you aren't concerned about accidentaly turning the key too far (actually pretty hard to do on most newer cars) then you don't need the relay. All that the relay will do is prevent the starter wire from sending power to the starter if the vehicle is locked but the ignition is powered (someone trying to steal it) and it prevents grinding the starter if you turn the key to the "start" position when it is already running by the remote starter.

If you are confident that you won't have either of those issues, then don't bother with it. Unless I'm putting in an alarm, I usually don't put it in.

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Kenny
Owner / Technician
KKD Garage LLC
Albany, NY 12205

I saw something called a positap on the internet. What type of connections are best and easiest to do or find....I heard of a tap splice but not sure how to do it exactly....

the best connection is to strip, poke and twist (military tap) and solder. then tape it up with some 3M super scotch 33+,88+,or 700

positaps are not reliable. same goes for scotchlocks, crimps, etc.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

+1 with Ted. Scotchlocks WILL eventually cut through the wire from the vibration of normal driving. When used on ignition wires, it will also most likely eventually melt from the amperage trying to run through the small metal tab. Maybe it'll last 20 years, maybe it'll last 6 months; but I have yet to see a Scotchlock that hasn't failed or was damn close to failing.

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Kenny
Owner / Technician
KKD Garage LLC
Albany, NY 12205

right on so tap splice and solder. Best way to strip back the wire casing without cutting it??

Have to wait for a second coded key on the wrangler. Suggestions for a copy??

using a good pair or wire strippers, make a cut in the wire, then about a CM apart make another cut. use a knife and cut one side of the jacket off, then peel off the other.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert