I am not a total idiot, but I feel damn near close! Okay, so I bought a CompuStar 2wss-as (first mistake) and then tear most of the driver-side interior out trying to install it (second mistake). I have no clue as to what a negative input is or how that is supposed to actuate my door locks or any of the other features this thing has it. I have searched vigorously for information and detailed guides on the internet, and could not locate one to even purchase!

I would really like to install this myself for a couple of reasons. The first is simply that learning is key, mine as well save my money and learn, right? We're not building a rocket so I think that applies here.

Second, if I screw it up, I can blame me. If I pay someone, and they screw it up, guess what? Now I get to blame me for giving them money to screw it up, I also get to blame me for not just saving my money and screwing it up myself!

Lastly, I just like being a turd and asking annoying questions like this.

I am aware no one can teach me how to do this in one day, or probably even through one or two, or even three posts, however, surely there are advanced text books for this, no? (wow super run-on sentence - aint public edja-ma-cation good?)

If some person wants to get some sort of certification for alarm installs, he doesn't just learn by trial and error. Hm, or am I just looking for an easy and cheaper way out then frying a bunch of alarms until I get it right?

Even I have to spend 150, or 200 dollars, I would rather do so on books or pay some soul here to help me, then pay someone to do it. I believe this sums everything up in a traditional and classical fashion:

"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime!" Okay, I might not be installing alarms for a lifetime, or even more than once for that matter, but I do not believe what we don't know cannot hurt us. What if I get asked on the spot to through together an alarm on the spot for a million bucks or something?? Okay, okay, I'll stop now!


[prying fingers off keyboard]
Mike

 

I installed my own alarm a few months ago and it wasn't too hard but required some research. The hardest part is figuring out what wires go where. A good manual with detailed wiring schematics are great. I subscribed to alldatadiy.com, they have some good wiring diagrams. Well anyway, from what i understand negative input is something that has switched ground instead of switched power. For example, our dome light circuit is switched ground, while the doors are switched power. If you have any specific questions ask.

 

I've never installed an alarm, but http://www.the12volt.com has some great info on anything regarding automotive electronics.

 

Thanks, that website is especially helpful. Any ideas on where to find detailed wiring diagrams and descriptions for an 88 iroc-z? I am thinking it is time for the Helm manual. When I say detailed, I don't mean a table that says "use ignition harness", if ya know what I mean. I need to know where these wires are, and what their colors are. Then I can test with my DMM, but that is a lot quicker and more accurate than going through twenty wires to find that half of them could possibly be the one I am looking for! ...just trying not to have to trace each wire - that could take weeks with my schedule!

Thanks - Mike

 

alldatadiy.com has detailed diagrams. He'res an example. I found the site very helpful.

 

Ijust bought that model of alarm over the net. I've installed other alarms in the past, even had to wire in the relays, which to me was more difficult than figuring out where the wires were. The individual I purchased the system from threw in a chart of the wire color/charge/location of the connects.

I just had everything spliced in to make sure it worked good before I soldered everything together, but alas I could not get it programmed right. I got past the step where you turn the ign. on and off 5 times, and I did hear the sound the relays make....first one click, then followed by two clicks with concurrent parking light flashes. But, after that, nothing. I press button I (lock/unlock) and nothing happens.

The pager does not seem to be communicating with the brain. I gather this from the fact that there is nothing communicated on the LCD of the pager. I push the buttons on the pager, it gives that little communication signal in the bottom right hand corner, then nothing. There's never any indication from the LED connected to the brain. Anyway, guess it was a pretty easy hook up, it's just diagnosing things when they go wrong that's the issue. In fact, I'm not sure if there is a communication issue or if the brain is not working. I think the brain is working ok, I do get the parking light flash and relay noise when I cycle the ignition on and off. And, if it is in fact a communication issue, at what part of the pathway lies the problem: brain/transmitter/pager? I just have no idea.

Anywho, I've been quoated some install prices, and I get the impression that if you don't purchase the unit from the installer, then you gonna get bent over pretty good. Installer A. $350, Installer B. "$200-$300", those are USD btw. Apperantly it's rated as a 6 hr job. So at $350/6 hrs, that's almost $60 an hour. I only bring that up because I would kill just to make 1/2 of that.

Will keep you updated.