Alarm installation , yay or nay ?

[Fattylegend6spd 10+ year member]

I was thinking about getting a Clifford intelliguard 750 installed on my car, but upon pricing things out, its over 500 including installation. Ive found the units themselves for anywhere from 150-250 on the net.

My question is, how hard is something like this to install? The car is a 1993 Acura Legend, so nothing new and fancy. Ive wired and programmed engine management, and installed 3 audio systems. Ive never worked with an alarm before. Do they come with manuals that tell you what wires to hook into? I have the Acura factory service manual, so i have all the wiring diagrams. I just dont know if there are special tricks or anything with alarm installations. The main reasons i want to install my alarm myself is to save money, and to hide the brain in a hard-to-get-at area (rather than under the dash). Seems kinda lame to spend 500 on a setup, when i just want to move the brain from the standard install area anyways.

Input is much appreciated!

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[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Don't do it yourself. For one, that alarm (like most DEI higher-end alarms) likely comes with a lifetime warranty on service, parts and installation when installed by an authorized dealer. That is not something you want to throw away just to save a few bucks. Second, I wouldn't want to run the risk of the alarm not functioning properly because you failed to install it properly, select the best locations for placement of things like the shock sensor, etc etc......is the potential of having your car or stereo stolen because you screwed up the alarm install worth saving a few bucks? Not in my opinion.

Take it in, have it professionally installed.

 

[Darth Audio 10+ year member]

As a former installer I'm agreeing 100% w/ Squeak. I hooked those things up for years and I still hate doing 'em. There are too many things you can mess up on your vehicle when doing an alarm, especially if you get into remote start, smart windows, etc. I know it's tough but if you don't know what you're doing I really would pay someone else to do it, that way you got warranty etc.

BTW you can find better deals installed even on Clifford.

 

[Mr. Nipples 10+ year member]

yea dude get it installed. alarms arent difficult for people that do them all the time but if your tryin to save a few years of your life. get it installed.

 

[THUNDERBIRD 10+ year member]

dude if u have dont engine stuff and now moderate wiring then u can do it u have to wiring book for the car, just be careful and always test before u solder. but shit do i did it and mine works fine only took 12 hours tho

 

[baseballer1100 5,000+ posts]

Shop around town i thought the best was 300 for installation but i found a place that did it for like 150. Just shop aroung you are guarenteed to find something.

 

[Fattylegend6spd 10+ year member]

Squeek and Darth, thanks for the input i appreciate it. Sometimes its best to just take it to a professional and not worry about it after that. Id rather save up and do it right. I suppose i could always ask to have the brain installed in a different area than under the dash...

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

I'm in agreement 100% with those that have said get it installed professionally. The lifetime warranty is exactly why I got my Prestige alarm installed at a shop. (Audiovox product or not the Prestige alarms are nice stuff and what's not to like about a never-ending warranty? That alone, to me, is worth the price of admission //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif)