Alarm System

[itreflop117]

Final EDIT: everything is installed. now the speakers on my right side barely work... (front passenger speaker and right rear deck speaker) they work very little i have to fully blast my music in order for them to hear light static of melody and lyrics.... does anybody know what the culprit may be to this?

Double EDIT: honestly, I found this helpful... someone should sticky this in the DIY thread...

DIY Power Locks Conversion Corolla 93 - 97

EDIT: since I have manual/no power locks, could someone list for me what I would need to in order to convert from manual locks to power/electrical locks for just the front two doors and maybe a write up for how everything would fit together? Sorry if I'm asking for a lot...

I was just wondering if it was possible to put an Alarm System in a base model Corolla. That means nothing automatic or powered. No power windows or powered locks, etc.

I'm looking to spend a couple hundred dollars because this morning I found out some fuckin morons TRIED to steal my head unit, they stole my gps, my halo 3 original zune, and a couple other cords/cables.

I'm paranoid now because I KNOW for a fact that I locked all my doors the day before. I'm also paranoid now because if someone knows how to get into my car with ease I don't want to be putting more money into it if it's just going to get stolen. At least this way I will have reassurance with an Alarm System. The story behind the head unit was that I always left it in and intact, I knew they tried stealing it because instead of being locked in, it was folded down, but not completely out... I guess those idiots didn't really know what they were doing. Surprisingly, they didn't steal my 200 Oakleys in the glove compartment, but stole a cheapo gps instead... that's another reason why I know they're fuckin idiots.

I'm not really pissed about the objects that were stolen, I'm just pissed because now that I know someone can get into my car I don't want more expensive things getting stolen from me in the future... Sorry for such a long post.

So yea, does anybody know how you would go about doing an Alarm System in a base model Corolla with nothing powered? and if so, any suggestions to nice Alarm Systems would be great. Thanks for your time I really appreciate all the info.

[ganda1f]

Lack of power locks/windows is not an obstacle at all. You just do not hook that up to the alarm. You will still have to lock the car just like you did before and then activate the alarm. The sensors in the doors are in place regardless of power locks/windows. You will need additional sensors for the bonnet (usually comes with the alarm kit) and possibly the trunk lid. But I think there is one already in place to control the light in the luggage compartment.

Lack of power locks is not necessarily a bad thing. You do not run the risk of accidentally opening the car, if it is parked close enough to where you are, whenever you are out of the car. Like opening the car while at home for instance.

I have no idea whether or not an insurance company would consider an alarm installation certified/proper or whatever, if it lacks power locks. Sometimes the excess amount is reduced if the car has an alarm. But there are no technical issues.

[itreflop117]

Originally Posted by ganda1f

Lack of power locks/windows is not an obstacle at all. You just do not hook that up to the alarm. You will still have to lock the car just like you did before and then activate the alarm. The sensors in the doors are in place regardless of power locks/windows. You will need additional sensors for the bonnet (usually comes with the alarm kit) and possibly the trunk lid. But I think there is one already in place to control the light in the luggage compartment.

Lack of power locks is not necessarily a bad thing. You do not run the risk of accidentally opening the car, if it is parked close enough to where you are, whenever you are out of the car. Like opening the car while at home for instance.

I have no idea whether or not an insurance company would consider an alarm installation certified/proper or whatever, if it lacks power locks. Sometimes the excess amount is reduced if the car has an alarm. But there are no technical issues.

wow, that was a lot of helpful info. thank you soo much.

[ganda1f]

Originally Posted by itreflop117

EDIT: since I have manual/no power locks, could someone list for me what I would need to in order to convert from manual locks to power/electrical locks for just the front two doors and maybe a write up for how everything would fit together? Sorry if I'm asking for a lot...

At the very least you will have to replace the latch assemblies in the doors. This is not that difficult, a bit awkward to detach the window handle in order to remove the trim panel but not too complicated otherwise.
BUT then there is the wiring, which will probably be a whole lot of work. I have no idea how much of the electrical installation is in place even though there are no power locks, likely not much if anything at all. Anyway, the wiring runs through the fuse panel next to the clutch pedal, then there is the lock/unlock button on the dash. Not sure if there is any additional stuff that modulates the pulses to the latch assemblies or if that sits in the assemblies themselves.
In any case, you *will* need a wiring diagram for the car to install the alarm. Alarms/immobilizers normally cut off several circuits, e.g. the ignition, starter, fuel pump. How many, depends on how fancy kit you get. Sorting all that out is going to be difficult enough without installing power locks.

If you are not going to do it yourself:
As far as I know, car audio places usually both sell and install alarms. Just do find a shop that knows your car or go to a Toyota dealer. Last thing you want is getting your electrical installation messed up. Troubleshooting electrical problems is often a nightmare.

[itreflop117]

Originally Posted by ganda1f

If you are not going to do it yourself:
As far as I know, car audio places usually both sell and install alarms. Just do find a shop that knows your car or go to a Toyota dealer. Last thing you want is getting your electrical installation messed up. Troubleshooting electrical problems is often a nightmare.

Yea I totally forgot my dad is a wiz at electrical business. I showed him a schematic/diagram and he laughed and said this is a piece of cake...

In addition to that, my cousin works at Best Buy so with his discount I'm going to get this 200 dollar Viper kit for 60 bucks HOPEFULLY with install...

What I'm hoping is that Best Buy will automatically convert my manual locks to power ones and do the rest of the alarm/keyless entry system. If not, my Dad will install the power locks with no problem and then hopefully Best Buy would be able to install the system with the new converted locks.

Thanks a bunch ganda I really appreciate your help. And I will try to keep this updated so I would be able to help people in the future if they consider going about the same thing. Thanks once again!

[ganda1f]

All right. Glad to help. Good luck with the project.

[PhatRoyale]

That thread is already posted in the DIY sticky. It's listed under the section titled interior modifications.

Thanks for the heads up though.

[itreflop117]

So I went to Best Buy today and got the Viper kit, unfortunately, the auto tech at bestbuy wasn't able to convert my locks into power locks. However, he said he still was able to put in the security system all for 140 bucks.

Originally, if they weren't able to do the power locks for me, my father was going to do them, but I kinda questioned if it was worth doing because if the Auto Tech guy said he couldn't do it, i don't think it's worth the hassle to try to put them in my self...

So yea, right now i'm just waiting for the installation to be complete. Hopefully it'll all be worth it. thanks everyone for all the help.