It sounds much more difficult than it really is to wire a remote start system into your car or truck. Once it's wired in, however, you may wonder how you ever lived without it. Whether you live in a temperate or frigid climate (or anywhere in between), being able to start your vehicle remotely and have it warm or cool when you jump in to travel is a convenience that you will not take for granted. The installation process can be done in an afternoon using only a few tools.
Read through the installation manual and instructions that came in the box with the remote start system you purchased for your vehicle. Many times, a DVD will come with the kit that helps owners to better visualize the process. If one came in your kit, watch it prior to wiring the remote start into your car or truck.
Do a system check of all functions prior to wiring the remote start. Check all power window and lock switches, light switches (both headlights and dome light), windshield wipers, defroster, heat and air conditioning switches and fan blower. If your car has a power moon roof, check it, too. If any of these functions fail to operate after installation, you need to know for a fact they worked (or didn't work) when you started.
Remove the main power fuse. Disarm your car or truck's alarm system.
Find the car's accessory wire and connect it to the starter's accessory wire. This wire needs to be hooked up in order for your air conditioning or heater to function at start-up. If there is more than one wire, relay all the wires together.
Wire the parking light wire from your car to the matching wire on the starter module. Find the wire beside the light switch or within the wiring harness that goes to the tail of the vehicle. If your car has a wire for each side (right and left), wire them both to the starter.
Fuse the brake wire from the starter part to your car's brake wire. Find this wire in the wiring harness toward the rear brake light. If it's not there, it should be directly above the brake pedal.
Locate a metal part of your vehicle that's surface is free of paint. Ground the starter to this part of your vehicle. By failing to complete this step, your installation may malfunction.
Connect the tachometer wire to the starter component. Failing to complete this connection will cause the remote starter system to fail. The tachometer wire is usually located near where the spark plug wires connect near the distributor.
Review all steps and verify all connections. Put the main power fuse back in, and try your basic functions, again.
Make your starter component permanent by screwing it into place underneath the hood away from all moving parts. Mount switches in safe, accessible locations.
Start your car remotely.
