i have a Clifford red light on my dash it's for the alarm, i also have the alarm box under my dash left side by fuse box, but my alarm doesnt work, theres a loose wire with looks to be a fuse attached by the battery not hooked up is that for my alarm?

 

You'll have to either find a wiring diagram for your alarm or head to a shop that installs them. Alarms vary so much in installation that it's almost impossible to answer your question in a forum like this. Good Luck.

 

all the wiring on the alarm system is factory(dealer) set-up meaning the alarm box under the dash, i just am unsure were the inline fuse wire by the battery goes.. ground? positive?.. that's the only unhooked wire, also unsure if it comes with a remote, this alarm system was put in 1988 along with the buying of a brand new 88 firebird its a clifford alarm.

 

A clifford alarm is not "factory." It may have been installed as a dealer option, but you will never find a wiring diagram from GM showing you how to install a clifford alarm in an '88 f-body.

If the wire is fused, then it's a power wire. The system proably came with a remote or 2, so it will be next to useless without them.

 

i mean factory as in it was installed as a dealers option, but the wiring under the dash was never touched, the only missing component is this inline fuse wire which is lose, so if i hook the clifford alarm system up, what are the chances of me ordering the remotes for this alarm system? or could it be just a remoteless one?

 

Any alarm that's connected at the battery is virtually worthless anyway since that's the first place a car thief will look to disconnect it.

Here are some words of wisdom on an old alarm with no key fobs, no instructions, etc... Rip it out. If you want an alarm system, get a quality unit with instructions and new components and put it in yourself. Keep in mind when you remove the old unit, depending on how deeply it's wired into the car (probably not very from your description of the power wire at the battery), the car might not start without it.

An old alarm is probably disconnected cause it didn't work anyway. Second, the key fobs will probably cost you as much as a new alarm, if they're even available. Depending on the features, there are probably some programming features that you aren't going to know how to program without the manual.

I put a used alarm with no instructions in my Firebird several years back. It took a lot of fiddling with the remotes to finally get the keyless entry and the alarm, chirps, and sirens, all configured and even then it was pretty much useless as an alarm. Most of what they do is just annoy your neighbors. A determined thief will still get what they're after.

 

Sad part is, he can use the alarm to make it easier on himself... The alarm module puts all the necessary wires together, and in a universal color for him (well, mostly universal) and NPT, will allow him to go as far as breaking the window without the alarm making a sound.

As for the topic, Drew is right. You're better off getting a brand new one, with the manuals. If you've never installed one, you had better let a professional do it. Best Buy offers free install on most all of their alarms, and they started carrying Viper about a year or so ago.

 

Can't say I'd recommend a Best Buy install. The guys in their install bay are the ones that are likely to peak in your glovebox at your registration for your address, so they can make a midnight stop and grab your system. Not to mention they're usually the least trained and experienced techs you'll find. Either find a qualified shop that you can trust, or do it yourself. Obviously if you can do it yourself you've got the best security since there are fewer variables involved. Also if it acts up, you put it in and know how to remove/bypass it.

 

Not sure why it is Best Buy installers are the ones likely to peek in your glove box... They are not "Cousin Lamont" "down tha screet" thats "gone hook U up"
I worked there for just under 4 years, and never knew of one installer that did something like that, nor would I ever consider doing so.
BB pays their installers quite well, hiring them in at 12.00/hr where I live, and offers quite nice advancement rates.
As for the least trained and experienced techs, BB is the only corporate company that requires, and pays for, MECP certification, and offers pay raises to continue your education in the field.
Between the raises every 3 months depending on job performance, and achieving master tech, I topped out at 17.29/hr. I've never seen rates as high, nor the training requirements anywhere else. Commission based, may make more, but as for a corporate install bay, you couldn't beat it.
During my time there, I saw one major mistake made (not mine, thank god), due to a fuel return line, in between layers of a dual firewall. Other than that, their installers are very cautious of quality control. Get your alarm installed at circuit city, and I'll show you a bunch of tap splices. Best buy will solder and double tape every connection.
BB also has a lifetime guarantee on every installation. Is your local mom and pop shop going to do that? Will they be there in 5 years to back up such an offer?

Drew, I'm not sure what's going on with the BB's out where you're at, but as far as 508 here in Savannah, Georgia we delivered nothing but the best. I would have expected this quality to be the standard at any of them.

Sincerely, "one of the guys from a Best Buy install bay"

 

All my dealings with BB and automotive related services were disappointing. Maybe things have changed in the 10 years since I stopped shopping there.