Vehicle security installations typically feature some form of visual deterrent to dissuade thieves from targeting the car. This deterrent most often takes the form of an intermittently blinking light emitting diode, or LED. The ubiquitous presence of flashing LEDs in genuine car alarm systems has led to a cottage industry of fake flashing LED units, designed to discourage break-ins by creating doubt. Thieves are unable to tell whether a full and functioning alarm system is in operation or just the flashing LED.
Observe where the flashing LEDs are located in other cars and determine the position of yours accordingly. Common locations are close to the stereo or in the dash behind the steering wheel.
Read and understand the manufacturer's instructions provided with your flashing LED, and attach the LED housing using double-sided tape or fast-setting two-part epoxy resin, if convenient. Making a small hole might be needed to accommodate the LED's housing; if so, use the recommended drill bit size, first ensuring there are no wires or components hidden behind the part of your car into which you will be drilling.
Place the control panel where it is easy to access but not easy to see from outside the vehicle, and attach it using the double-sided hook-and-eye tape (Velcro-type material), which is usually provided as part of the installation kit. Run the wires from the LED's housing to the control panel and join them to their matching color-coded counterparts. It is always best to join automotive wires using a soldering kit and to insulate the join with a shrink-wrap kit.
Connect the remaining two wires at the control panel to a constant 12-volt supply and a ground. The color-coding for these wires will typically be black or red for the hot wire and white for the ground. This constant supply can be sourced from behind the switch that controls your sidelights, if they are not switched on by the ignitio. The in-cab courtesy light switch or the car battery are other options. Install an inline fuse if the LED manufacturer advises you to do so.
Move the control panel switch to "On" to test the installation.
