Etronics - Buy Installation Online?

So I'm about to buy an Ultra Start 4500M from Etronics.com and they say for $179 extra, I can get this "Install Card" (installcard.com) and take it to any of several shops in my area and they will install it for me.

It says that the $179 includes Remote Start w/Keyless, so I'm assuming that is the whole shibang (alarm and remote start)?

For those installers out there, does this sound about right? I have a manual transmission and the US 4500M is for manual transmission cars, but would I be charged extra? (I read something about on manuals they have some kind of IR signal for the shifter to see what gear it's in to prevent against a start in-gear?? Would that be included in this cost?

Also, I have a 2003 Nissan Maxima, and one website I stumbled across had a "Transponder Database" and it said that I needed some $50 transponder bypass kit to bypass the factory transponder so the remote start would work? I guess it requires a spare key or something? Do I really need that????

Thanks in advance!

One more question: The 4500M says it has a Defroster output. This turns on my Defroster to clear up my windows, right? Is this also usually covered in the install of this kind of alarm or would it cost extra? How do I know if it will work with my Nissan's A/C unit? It's a digital climate control thingy...

SiDogg wrote:

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Also, I have a 2003 Nissan Maxima, and one website I stumbled across had a "Transponder Database" and it said that I needed some $50 transponder bypass kit to bypass the factory transponder so the remote start would work? I guess it requires a spare key or something? Do I really need that????

Thanks in advance!

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Yes, you do need the bypass with a key in it. I used the DEI 555U and it worked fine.

SiDogg wrote:

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One more question: The 4500M says it has a Defroster output. This turns on my Defroster to clear up my windows, right? Is this also usually covered in the install of this kind of alarm or would it cost extra? How do I know if it will work with my Nissan's A/C unit? It's a digital climate control thingy...

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The rear window defroster (if that's what you're referring to) has a separate switch from your A/C unit, so yes it could be hooked up to that.

It could also be hooked up to your front windshield defroster at the same time (with relay) as it too has a separate switch.

In total you can have all three going at the same time.

(Rear/Front defrosters with one output and the standard heater Climate Control, which can also be mode set to defrost the windshield or heat the cabin). The latter should be part of the basic install of a Remote start unit.

So does the $179 I mentioned sound like it is a reasonable installation fee for alarm/remote start?

I keep hearing about people paying $500+ for their setup + install.. eek!

Does any transponder work? I found a universal one for Omega, will that work with an Ultra Start Remote Start?

As long as it's the one you put the key inside to do, yes.  It should have some kind of ring to go around the keyswitch. If that's the type, it'll work. You DO need one of your keys to do it though, no matter what.

Ok so you are going to spend $189 plus shipping, $179 for basic installation. The maxima is far from basic. Here is a list of all possible extras:

Parts and/or Labor charges will apply to the following:
Transponder bypass (cost of installation, the module itself and the cost of an extra key that needs to be programmed by the dealer)
2nd Starter wire
Keyless entry (since it is in the door)
Autolamp turn off (for truning your lights off after runtime has expired)
Rear Defrost if you want it
Any and all alarm features:
     Siren
     Door Triggers
     and any other sensor you want
Trunk Release (You also need to disarm the trunk release alarm trigger, so this would be a lot extra)
Window roll up and down (if you have this as factory feature)
I bet i could go on, but all these extras are going to cost big bucks. Especially since most shops that work like this charge $25 dollars for adding a single additional relay.

Even if you just go with the minimum required wires, you are still going tro be pushing $500 easily.

if you are going to buy online you might as well install it yourself. And if you dont feel up to it, you should just go to a reputable shop and see what it get it all from them. Do you not have a factory alarm? you could skip the alarm idea if you do have one.

Another idea would be to call one of the shops that would be doing the install you bought online and see what the total would be for that car. they would be able to break down the features and how much they would cost.

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J Rilla

Owner/Installer

Holy moly!!!!!!   $500!!!!!!

My civic had siren, trunk, hood, door, and single-stage shock, battery backup siren all for like $250 including installation.

What does the $179 cover then? It sounds like it doesn't include anything but mounting the damn thing under my dash! I could do that!

I am pretty good with audio/electronics; however, I am scared to do my alarm purely for the reason I don't 100% trust I will do it right. Seeing as how I've never done it before, I will most likely end up either a) messing up my car's normal electronics or b) screwing up the installation causing it to randomly turn itself on or off or accidentally lock me out of the car, or worse, accidentally remote start when I didn't want it to (in gear) and cause even more damages..

What can I do to bring the cost down? I could care less about the defrost and auto-lamp turn-off (people always bother me saying I left my lights on anyways), but those two alone won't save me much..

Why do I need '2nd Starter wire'? What does it do?

The transponder loop has to go around the ignitio? That sounds like a pain!!

Knowing that company, the $179 probably covers a roll of duct tape and some staples.

SiDogg wrote:

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Holy moly!!!!!!   $500!!!!!!

What can I do to bring the cost down? I could care less about the defrost and auto-lamp turn-off (people always bother me saying I left my lights on anyways), but those two alone won't save me much..

Why do I need '2nd Starter wire'? What does it do?

The transponder loop has to go around the ignitio? That sounds like a pain!!

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I went through it this summer and made a decision to install the 2way lcd alarm/remote start myself.

I have a 2002 model and I did a lot of research before I even removed one screw on the car.

The 2nd starter wire is for cold starts according to documentations which is connected with a relay.

The ring only becomes a pain if the product itself is defective. You don't know if you're not connecting it right or is it defective unless you have access to a spare bypass.

And if you have a manual gear box and your RS unit is not built for manuals, you have to connect to the neutral safety switch of the car to avoid accidental starting.

As Jrilla said, the maxima is far from basic.

Crap, that blows. How does the neutral safety switch work? Is that the only way to protect my 6-speed from the Remote Start accidentally starting?

(I might end up doing this myself and need to know this stuff - does it come with instructions for the 2nd starter or transponder or trunk release?)

Do it. I was only referring to this as not being a basic install since the costs would be great to have someone do it for you. But is very possible and you should do it yourself. If you dont think you can do it then you cant, but if you do, then you can.

Download the install manual here if you haven't already:


4500 Install manual

Just familiarize yourself with the install and ask all the questions you have.

Do a lot of prep work and will save you the back breaking time under the dash.

email me and I can send you some info and pictures if you want

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J Rilla

Owner/Installer

I can do that (prep). I spent 6 months prepping for my first fiberglass job. It went well I must say.

Ok, so I just read the instructions... All I can say is F INSTALLING IT MYSELF!! :D

No way, that is soooooo confusing and sounds like so much work. Where do I tap into all those systems (park light, door trigger, trunk, starter, ignition, etc...)??

It sounded like some of the instructions were repeating, too, adding to the confusion.

So how does the 4500M know I'm not in gear? It didn't seem to have an input to detect if it is in gear or not... That scares me.. I saw the clutch bypass, but that doesn't help. I thought the M models could tell if you're in gear and, if so, not start the car... ??

Anyone in NorCal who wants to start the bidding on my install, go ahead and reply now. :) Do I hear $175?? Anyone??

Now my friend is talking me out of remote start, saying his friend who works at an alarm shop has a manual and remote start and after a couple months he finally messed up and hit the button and his car lurched forward and smashed into another car, causing $2000 worth of damage, and now he never uses it because it's "an uneasy feeling hitting that button"...

Hmmm, so how much simpler would it be w/out remote start, w/out the thermometer thing, w/out the defroster, and w/out the transponder? Sounds like a LOT, huh? :-)

So just the hood/trunk pins, trunk release, keyless, siren, park/dome lights, what else is there?

Where do I tap into the park and door and dome light systems at??

You hook up the door trigger and the ebrake. Then when you pull up to park, you set the ebrake, then press the brake twice and turn the key off (engine will stay running) get out, shut the door, and the vehicle will shut off. You are now in reservation mode. If the ebrake is released or the door opened then the starter will exit reservation mode. If you forget something in your car, just start the car before opening the doors. I am sure that friend of yours had a homemade netral safety feature instead of a unit that was designed for manual transmissions.

Lke I said before, email me if you want info and pictures of connections. my email address is in my profile.

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J Rilla

Owner/Installer

How do you wire into the existing systems though? Do I just use wire taps to tap into wires? How do I find the OEM wires I need to tap into? (Where do I look) ?

SiDogg wrote:

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Now my friend is talking me out of remote start, saying his friend who works at an alarm shop has a manual and remote start and after a couple months he finally messed up and hit the button and his car lurched forward and smashed into another car, causing $2000 worth of damage, and now he never uses it because it's "an uneasy feeling hitting that button"...

Hmmm, so how much simpler would it be w/out remote start, w/out the thermometer thing, w/out the defroster, and w/out the transponder? Sounds like a LOT, huh? :-)

So just the hood/trunk pins, trunk release, keyless, siren, park/dome lights, what else is there?

Where do I tap into the park and door and dome light systems at??

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Try doing a search for "maxima" and you'll find info for your car and a wiring diagram that someone has uploaded previously which should answer some of your questions above.