2003 Trailblazer Rear Defrost
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=88277
Printed Date: May 14, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Topic: 2003 Trailblazer Rear Defrost
Posted By: mkohr
Subject: 2003 Trailblazer Rear Defrost
Date Posted: January 03, 2007 at 12:09 PM
I purchased a Python 1400XP at the local CircuitCity and had them install it. They originally said the could connect the rear defrost. However when i picked up the vehicle they told me they could not connect the rear defrost because they had no "Tech info" on it. After about a week they called me back and told me that they got in touch with directed's tech support and got the info to complete the install. They told me it would cost an additional $100.00 to install this option because thet need to run a wire to the tailgate and add a relay. I already paid them $120.00 for the install of the 1400XP $79.00 for the 1400XP itself $30.00 for the Data Bus interface/By pass module and $100.00 for that unit. - Does this seam reasonable for the additional $100.00 they quoted me?
- Do they realy need to run wires to the tail gate?
- I am an electrican and pretty savy when it comes to electronics. Is There any whay i can connect myself?
- Could anyone give me the info to connect myself?
Thanks, Mike
Replies:
Posted By: tbone587
Date Posted: January 03, 2007 at 12:13 PM
ummm it is possible they have to run a wire to the tailgate, i think 100 may be a little steep, but it may be a pain for them to backtrack on their install and do that wiring.. Maybe like 50 bucks or so.
Posted By: dwbarger
Date Posted: January 03, 2007 at 8:59 PM
If they would have used the correct datbus module with bypass then they could have done this through the databus. It would have saved them time and you this money. I think They should do this for free It would be good customer service and I would let them know that. They did tell you they could do it up front and they did not do it!!!
Posted By: brcidd
Date Posted: January 03, 2007 at 9:15 PM
A GM-SL2 would do that with no additional wiring!!! check it out on the Crimestopper website
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Brcidd - Engineer That Does Remote Starter Installs on the side.
Posted By: NowYaKnow
Date Posted: January 03, 2007 at 11:45 PM
I think $100 is a fair price. They will have to run a wire back to the tailgate. They will need a relay, and possibly some sort of timer depending on what output they are using for it. That also covers any troubleshooting they may need to do. Nothing real difficult about it, but it is a pretty rare request so it's one of those things that you cover yourself on.
Saying they should do it for free (other reply) is completely ridiculous. Also saying they used the wrong module is off.. There is probably a dozen bypass makers at this point all doing different options and features. Expecting any company to carry all just doesn't make sense. Circuit City can't exactly call up crimestopper and order a bypass..
The fact that they did research it and get back to you speaks a lot. Even though they couldn't do it initially, it's great that they did follow up with you and give you the option. Good luck,
Mike
Posted By: mkohr
Date Posted: January 04, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Can't this be done thru the Data Bus Modue? I know the Python remote start kit has an pulse output for this...i managed to get a peek at the instructions before the took them away from me. Is it possible to connect this pulse output to the rear defrost switch . This 2 is a pulse type trigger?
Posted By: dwbarger
Date Posted: January 04, 2007 at 11:42 AM
NowYaKnow wrote:
I think $100 is a fair price. They will have to run a wire back to the tailgate. They will need a relay, and possibly some sort of timer depending on what output they are using for it. That also covers any troubleshooting they may need to do. Nothing real difficult about it, but it is a pretty rare request so it's one of those things that you cover yourself on.
Saying they should do it for free (other reply) is completely ridiculous. Also saying they used the wrong module is off.. There is probably a dozen bypass makers at this point all doing different options and features. Expecting any company to carry all just doesn't make sense. Circuit City can't exactly call up crimestopper and order a bypass..
The fact that they did research it and get back to you speaks a lot. Even though they couldn't do it initially, it's great that they did follow up with you and give you the option. Good luck,
Mike
It is not ridiculous to expect this for free!!! You do not tell a customer you can do it and then not do it and then call them a week later they have info on how to do it!!!! Come on. I can install you a starter for $100.00 but not this week come back in a week and I will charge you another $100.00 when I have the info on how to do it!!! This is typical of these chain store installers they hire any idiot off the street and try to train them.
Posted By: dwbarger
Date Posted: January 04, 2007 at 11:43 AM
yes this can be done through the databus. One module will do everything needed.
Posted By: mkohr
Date Posted: January 04, 2007 at 12:17 PM
can any one give me some hard bacup to prove this . Tech info, databus programming option , wiring diagrames etc... I have an appointment tomorrow at 10:00 am with them. According to my sales recipt the module they used is a DEI457GW and the starter kit was a DEI Python 1400XP. I cant even begin to tell you the run arround i have gotten so far. I know i gould have done the complete install myself however they would not sell me the kit & module without them installing it. So far i paid them... - $79.99 for the 1400XP
- $99.99 for the 457GW
- $120.00 for the 1400XP install
- $33.98 for the 457GW install
Other issues are ... - They didnt locate the Valet switch accessible location or possibley at all.
- The parking light flash (confirmation) does not work I can hear a relay clicking but no workie.
- I believ The Fail Safe starter kill does not work properly. Can still start (with a key) when the system is armed) the manual indicates it should not do tha.
- According to the owners manual they wer suposed to demonstrate the nutral saftey shut down circuit. Not sure exactly what that means but they didnt show me squat. If it means trying to start the car (with the key) while in neutral it does theat.
- They did not install a shutdown switch.
Help me please!! Thanks, Mike
Posted By: mkohr
Date Posted: January 04, 2007 at 12:21 PM
ANy authorized DEI installers please help. I know understand (according to circuit city) that you can not give out the installation instruction. And i myself cant access them on their web site without an account #. I can assure you that all i want /need is backup to fight with. I Know i could fix this myself with access to the tech info. However at this point i want them to do what i paid for. Any DEI installers help please. Thanks, Mike
Posted By: dwbarger
Date Posted: January 04, 2007 at 8:41 PM
What are you looking for here? As far as the defrost goes they did not use a module that will do this through the data bus I cannot believe they cahrged you that much for that module!!! You can get it retail anywhere for $40.00 or less. Then to charge another $33.00 to install it!!! If I was you I would request to speak to the manager state your issues and let him know you are not happy!!! They have a 100% customer satifaction policy and from what you are saying I would not be satisfied either. I would also seem to think they did not hook up the starter interupt relay as they like to charge extra for this feature ($15.00 for a .89 relay plus the installation)
Not sure what you mean by a shutdown switch?
The parking lights should work when started and when locking and unlocking of the doors.
Also check to see if they installed a pin switch under the hood that when the hood is open the unit will not remote start that is almost considered a must!! One more thing they are known for is using the smart start feature as this is fast and easy for them but is not the best solution for mst vehicles today. You will notice taht if they did use the smart start feature instead of the tach signal the vehicle will have a tendency to start and shut off and try again sometimes max out the three tries and never start (it is the lazy way to do the install in my book)
Posted By: tbone587
Date Posted: January 04, 2007 at 9:58 PM
Circuit city used directed electronics databus modules which do not provide outputs for defrost. So for them to hook up the defrost, they will have to run a wire to the tailgate like stated and use a relay. In my the hoodpin isnt really necessary, but the kill switch IS!. Hoodpins tend to rust out and cause more problems then needed. With the kill switch, it is a guarenteed method to turn off the remote start function. If they didnt install that, i would have them put one in. If you ever have ur car worked on, ur supposed to tell the mecahnic to turn off the switch so it doesnt try to remote start when they are workin under the hood. I used to install hoodpins in every car i did, but the cars would come back months later where the switches had rusted out and caused the remote start not function.
Posted By: JWorm
Date Posted: January 04, 2007 at 10:49 PM
To answer your questions....from an installers point of view
Fail Safe Starter Kill - You purchased a remote starter that has "security features". Most installers turn that option off in programming because most customers don't want it, or understand it. You must lock and unlock the vehicle with the Python remote everytime you get in and out of the vehicle. If you unlock the car with the key, get in and try to start the car, it won't start because of the starter kill. The lights will start flashing, and the horn will start beeping (if connected). The customer then freaks out wondering what the heck their remote start is doing. I have even heard of people getting their vehicled towed after it wouldn't start, when all they had to do was hit unlock on the remote. If you want this turned on, I doubt they will have a problem with turning it on. Whether or not they actually installed the starter kill/anti-grind is another story. It is probably CC policy not to...unless requested and paid to do so. The remote start has 2 wires coming out of the relay pack...you cut the starter wire in the car and connect the key switch side to green, the starter side to purple. They probably just tapped the purple wire onto the starter wire.
Neutral safety shut down circuit....
The car is not supposed to remote start if you leave it in gear. If you leave it in gear (with the key in!) and try to start it the factory neutral safety switch will prevent it from attempting to remote start. You have nothing to worry about here. The owners manual is just trying to cover DEI's liability in case you have a 15 year old vehicle without a neutral safety switch.
Shutdown switch...
DEI includes a shutdown switch with the unit. I always mounted it somewhere under the dash, or behind a fuse panel door. I would bet 98% of customers forgot I even told them about it or where it was by the time they got home from picking up there car. A lot of shops don't put it in...some do. I always put it in. Your CC installer probably didn't want to take the extra 3 minutes to do it.
Parking light flash...
Maybe they hooked up to the wrong wire...maybe they didn't hook it up at all. Either way, they shouldn't have a problem fixing it. There is a thick harness that runs across the underdash area. The (+) parking light wire is one of the brown wires in that harness.
Valet switch....
A always tied it up near where I put the shutdown switch in case features needed to be changed or a new remote programmed. Again...installer was probably too lazy.
Rear defrost....
DEI does not provide the color and location of the wire that needs to be tapped into to turn on the rear defrost. The harness that runs to the heater controls often have 30+ wires going to it. Taking the time to test all those wires can take a lot of time, and the switch is often not very easily accessible. It may even be a data signal at the switch that can't be interfaced with on some vehicles. Because of these reasons....this feature is not often hooked up. If they are going to run a wire all the way to the back hatch it sounds like they are going to provide power directly to the rear defrost. That is not something I would recommend. The factory timer to shut off the rear defrost would be bypassed. If I couldn't find the trigger from the switch up front, I wouldn't do it.
DEI's 457G does not turn on the rear defrost thru data so that is not an option. Other companies do make modules that do trigger the rear defrost, but CC does not carry them.
For future installs I would recommend talking to the installer doing the work about all the features you are expecting, and where things (valet buttons, shutdown switches) will be placed BEFORE the install. If you are not comfortable with their answers...find another shop.
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