I just bought a Bulldog remote starter so I don't have to freeze my tuckus off anymore waiting for my truck to heat up. Before I begin the installation, I was wondering if anybody had any input to this. Jeff <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I once put in a remote starter in a Mercury Topaz. It took me all day but worked fine.

One of the trickiest parts was identifying which wire needed to be connected to where. An accurate wiring diagram would be very helpful ... a volt meter and continuity tester are essential. I also made notes for future reference identifying which wires I connected, by color code.

I soldered all connections to ensure that I had the best connections; however, as an alternative, there are plastic splicing devices available that allow you to connect to wires without cutting ... just clamp the device onto the existing wire along with the added wire you want to connect.

Also, rather than cut existing wires, I very carefully stripped-away some of the insulation with a wire cutter and utility knife and then soldered the remote starter wires to the existing wires and taped all exposed wiring with electrical tape

Allow yourself plenty of time!!! Good Luck!!!

These work great for other thing, but they are a total crap shoot for automotive use. Eventually they will vibrate enough that they cut through the wire that you clamp them on to. leaving yourself with a broken circuit, or worse a short circuit and a burnt wiring harness.

Splice and solder, then use some shrink tubing and some dielectric to seal it all up. (don't be a knuckle head like me, but the shrink tubing on before you solder it all together). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

DougH ... I could'nt agree with you more!!!

As I now remember, I initially did use those plasic connectors on my friend's car, and a year later, she said she sometimes had trouble starting her car using her key switch. I then decided to remove all those plastic connectors and then soldered all connections.

While I never determined what caused those intermittant no-start situations, after soldering the connections everything was fine thereafter,and I was able to sleep better at night.

For critical circuits, soldering is the best way to go.

One other piece of advice.

If this is to be installed in a vehicle that has a manual transmission, make sure it will not operate while in-gear ... otherwise, your Monty could be warming-up while it's driving down the road with no driver <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Alex

Bumpstop connectors (or the plastic things as you call them) are better suited for wiring in the vehicle (Radio etc etc) if you must use them. Otherwise yes, its a bad idea to use bumpstop connectors due to the fact its not a solid connection.

My monty has an automatic tranny. I will solder all connections and seal them after that. The idea of it travelling down the road under it's own power while warming up is hilarious. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> I'll attempt/do this when I have ample time. I seem to have to go through a large learning curve when i do these things. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

I would figure out how to isolate the engine circuit from the rest of the vehicle so no one can get in and drive away.

Also, wire the brake pedal to kill the engine if pressed without the key in the ignition.

Clay

Eljeef,

I've got a Clifford alarm system with an integrated auto start system. Rather than install it myself (which I could have) I elected to pay a local reputable shop a couple of hundred dollars to do the install. They include with their install a lifetime warranty on their work. That means if a splice/crimp connector they do fails, they will repair it. I've brought it back a couple of times for connectors because something on the alarm stopped working and they've fixed it no problem. They even drove over (w/in 3 miles) to confirm if the autostart/alarm system was preventing my car from starting. Turned out the starter was going out.

It's nice to have that added security/insurance of their guarantee. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I like the crimp on connectors with shrink insulation with hot glue inside. They're certified for aircraft use, and bulletproof if applied right.