Is installing a new alarm easier when you already have one installed? - Honda Prelude Forum

LudeSkywalker · 04-19-2002, 09:12 PM

I currently have a KARR alarm installed in my '97 Lude and want to upgrade to something better. Would it be harder or easier to install a new alarm? Is this something I can handle myself considering I do 90% of the work on my Lude my self (I installed my intake, exhaust, Venom VCN-1000, gauges, etc...) What do you recomend as far as alarms? I had a Clifford on my Civic that was ok and that Aladdin looks pretty cool too...

LudeSkywalker · 04-19-2002, 09:19 PM

BTW I'm looking for something that has the following features:
-remote window
-remote start

loungmastr · 04-19-2002, 10:22 PM

it wont really help you unless you know what the wires involved are and what color they are. it will help you with ease of installing as far as having all the wires already there though

LudeSkywalker · 04-19-2002, 11:05 PM

Hmmm, so all I would really need then is a diagram showing the Preludes wire color codes and what they are for right?

ME · 04-20-2002, 12:40 PM

Yes, and the wires colors and locations are posted in a recent thread. It will help somewhat depending on what options are hooked up to the alarm you have. Ideally you should place the brain away from the driver's side dash. You also want to add a battery backup and hood pin switch. I'm not a big Aladdin fan, I had to mirror this review on my site because po.com bans h - a.net links. The remote start and window module are a lot of extra work, particularly the window mod. You have to run wires into the door which is a big pain. I would say the Viper 550ESP is what you want if you're gonna install it yourself. If you're gonna have a shop do it the Clifford Solaris is a more secure alarm from a vehicle theft standpoint.

LudeSkywalker · 04-20-2002, 04:48 PM

ME-
Thanks for the info. Would an installer charge me less for the install since in a way, it'd be easier to install the new alarm, or would it end up being the same? I liked my clifford that was on my Civic, I think it was a Cyber 5 or something like that so I may be going with the Solaris. I'm going to look it up right now...

ME · 04-20-2002, 06:23 PM

They might charge you less, I'm guessing the brain is right up under the driver's dash. You want them to move the new one elsewhere. If your car is stick than you will have problems finding a place to do remote start. Clifford has a safe way of doing it but I still don't know if they'll install it. Basically you leave the car running, engage the parking brake and exit the car. The alarm shuts off the engine and will only remote start if you follow those steps and nothing gets opened in the interim. Get the battery backup, hood pin switch and I would have them install the siren behind the front fender (aft.) I would also request the DEI window mod (530T) since it is adjustable in force (unlike the Clifford.) Good luck, with the windows and remote start you're looking at a $700+ alarm with good installation.