Security system v *only* keyless entry

Hi:

On an Accord 2000 LX 4Dr, what does it buy me to get a security system
installed vs only the keyless entry (with optional trunk release). I
have spoken to a few dealerships in the area and I have been more
confused than ever. (The service department guys are so clueless that
it is not even funny.)

I am looking at buying the parts off the net
(www.hondaautomotiveparts.com has some decent prices) and just getting
it installed at a dealership. So I do not need any surprises like not
ordering something I need or ordering something I do not need (for
example, this service guy told me that installing trunk release would
cost me more than $300 additional so I am better off just getting the
keyless entry installed. I still find it hard to believe.)

That is the reason I am posting to this group. I know people here are
knowledgable about this kind of stuff.

Thanks in advance.
PS: I asked this question (SS vs Keyless) to another service dept guy
as well. He didn't know.

 

I don't know the difference between the factory remote entry and the
factory security system, but If all you want is remote entry, you can
get http://tinyurl.com/3eb77 for $40. I have installed 2 of these, one
in an Accord. Great systems and easy to install. For trunk release, add
http://tinyurl.com/2vp8j at $13.80 and http://tinyurl.com/2s3tn at
$1.79. Of course your your Honda service department probably won't touch
these after market items, but any alarm or stereo installer will be able
to do the job.

 

Me Likey!

For $65 I can have both keyless entry and trunk release. Installation
should not be that expensive. Time to call Best Buy.

Thanks a bunch.

 

Best Buy person said they have basic labor included in the cost so if
I buy a kit there, the install is going to be less expensive. But I
did not like the one kit they had and the price quoted ($175
installed).

Circuit City had a keyless entry system with ugly looking remotes for
$50 and with the install the total cost came to just over a $100.
Very tempting but the remotes were so ugly that I had to say no. The
sales person said that they would install my outside bought system for
about $100, ONLY if it was an AudioVox.

I think I will just wait till they have a better looking system going
for cheap.

Couple of questions in the meantime: do all the keyless entry systems
work the same? Meaning if I buy something ultra cheap, will it's
range be very less? Some reviews on the Circuit City website seem to
indicate that cheapo systems only work when you are really close to
the car.

Also, both CC and BB told me that it would cost me about $150 for the
trunk release alone (beside the $100-$200 for keyless entry) so it is
not worth getting it. In fact the Honda dealership also said
something to that effect. Is it really that much harder to install
trunk release? I do not have power trunk release (just power doors).

Thanks.

 

Couple of questions in the meantime: do all the keyless entry systems

The $40 unit I installed in my brother's car has ample range. He usually
unlocks the doors when he is about 50 feet away from the car, but it
will reach farther. On the flip side, if the range is too good, you may
inadvertently be opening the locks when you don't want to: Key chain
being bumped in your pocket and locks opening in the parking lot at
work, parked at the curb outside your house etc.

For keyless remote only (assuming the car already has power locks) you
place the receiver box somewhere near the fuse box under the dash, and
every wire you need to tap into is within a foot (or perhaps 2 feet) of
the box. Quick and easy work for someone who has done it a few times.
For trunk release you need to mount the actuator and pull wires from the
trunk and up front to the receiver box. Not difficult, but time
consuming. The trunk actuator pulls with significant force, so proper
mechanical mounting is important.

I think your best bet is to befriend someone who enjoys this kind of
work and make it a weekend project. You can start with the keyless entry
and add trunk release later if the motivation is there. Or you could
take it to a smaller, independent shop. I don't think they are any less
competent then the guys doing it at CC or BB.

What car is this? I know you stated it earlier, but I forgot. Where are
you located?

 

Thanks Randolph for your quick response.

Yes indeed, never thought of it that way, since I don't have it yet.

Thanks for explaining that. It makes sense now why they ask for more
money for trunk release.

Befriending someone would be tough. But I can look for smaller
independent shops in this area.

It is an Accord 2000 LX and I live close to Boston.

Regards.

 

Yesterday I got this one from CC, Code Alarm CSA CSI100:

http://tinyurl.com/29xlt

<http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=c&catoid=-8867&qp=0&oid=90263&m=1>

for about $120 installed. I have scheduled an appointment for next
Sunday for the actual install but bought the kit already. I will open
it tonight to see if it is something I can do myself. But I am
inclined to get it done professionally anyways because the 50-60 bucks
I save would not be worth the 2-3 hours I put in (at a minimum).

Thanks for all help.

 

Yesterday I got this one from CC, Code Alarm CSA CSI100:

http://tinyurl.com/29xlt

<http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&u=c&catoid=-8867&qp=0&oid=90263&m=1>

for about $120 installed. I have scheduled an appointment for next
Sunday for the actual install but bought the kit already. I will open
it tonight to see if it is something I can do myself. But I am
inclined to get it done professionally anyways because the 50-60 bucks
I save would not be worth the 2-3 hours I put in (at a minimum).

Thanks for all help.

 

Glad you found something that works without breaking the bank.

Unless you get some enjoyment out of that sort of work, it would be 60
hard earned dollars.

 

Saw the DVD video last night and it did not help at all. Except for
the mention of car-specific wiring instructions on their website it
did not inspire any confidence in me at all. It is just a bunch of
tips and common sense remarks. Well, in all fairness they do give you
a low down on how to identify wires and where to install the
components and such, but I was looking for a video of an actual
installation with some tips on how to open the dash board etc.

Was not what I was looking for. So I will let the professionals
handle this one.

 

Got it installed a day early (on Saturday) and here are some
thoughts...

Range is not much. But it serves the purpose. It works from close to
the car (within 10-15 feet) but any more than that is not _required_
anyway.

CC hookup is not the best. They hooked up the headlights to flash
(twice on lock, once on unlock) but to hook up the horn to honk, they
wanted extra $20. I was not sure whether it would sound annoying or
not so I did not opt for it. The cool siren beeps were not possible
with this model and that is something I am (and wife is) missing. Not
a big deal but it is nice to get the audio confirmation.

CC hookup is not the best. They wanted about $110 extra for
driver's-first unlocking feature (first button press unlocks driver's
door then the next press unlocks all doors). My keyless entry system
showed that as a feature but they wanted extra to hook it up like
that. I said no thanks.

I would have been happier with Honda OEM because it would have given
me all these features too and the cost would have been the same (with
features included, that is: 130 spent + 110 feature above + 20 for
audio confirmation = $260. OEM = $150 parts and $170 or so
installation = $320). But for $130 spent this is acceptable.

Watching the CC guy work I was thinking there is no way I could have
done this install myself. ;-)

Thanks and regards.

 

It doesn't take a great deal of skill. The key is in knowing how to take
the vehicle apart and put it back together. Do a couple of them and you
too will suddenly be the neighborhood expert and can get a job at CC
making $8.50/hr.

Interestingly, wages for this sort of work has stagnated over the years
compared to other crafts/skills. When I managed an independent CB radio &
auto sound store back in the mid 1970's we paid our installers $7.50/hr to
start and then gave them a 50¢ raise after 90 days. The top guy in the
shop made only $9.25 and we did not provide any formal training other than
a set of manuals.

 

Headlights or parking lights?

When I installed a system in my brother's car, he did not want the horn
hooked up either, but we put in a small piezoelectric buzzer from Radio
Shack. Loud enough that you can hear the chirps from 30' away, but not
loud enough to be pestering the neighbors when he comes home late. The
beauty of working on a 17 year old car is that you aren't concerned
about messing up a pristine interior!

Needs an extra relay and a little more hunting for the right wires. On
my friend's '96 Accord we first installed the system as you have it.
Then at a later time we opened it up again and put in the "driver's door
first" feature. It took us less than an hour and we did it in the Happy
Donuts parking lot. The '96 was pre-wired for this feature (yours
probably is too) so all it took was a relay in the driver's door and
then hooking the keyless entry module to a wire taped away under the
dash. The feature is nice, and it is so easy to implement that I'd do it
for you for a BigMac if you lived around here.

Wait a month or so. Then you'll have forgotten what you could have had
and be happy with what you have!

 

Headlights or parking lights?

Parking lights. Sorry.

That is what I figured (wire hunting). No big deal, I can live
without it.

I owe you a Big Mac for the help you have provided already

That is what I am hoping for! My comment was more about feature for
feature bang for the buck. And of course my wife was expecting those
cool features too. I am sure she will learn to like it. Or at least
accept it. Or at least pretend to accept it.