Remote starter help on 98 sunfire...

[nmcgrawj]

Hey whats up guys. Im hoping you can help me out with this problem. I am trying to install a remote starter, i think its a rattler(i havent looked at it in a while and its in my girlfriends car) I bought it from Bestbuy for about $60 or so. I also bought the 555l Passlock module to go with it.

Anyway, the car starts and then the theft light comes on and it shuts off. I think it has something to do with the bulb check wire and it not getting the right resistance code. I know you are supposed to start it with the key first to let it "learn" it but it still cuts off.

I was wondering if you guys had any hints or tips on finding that bulb check wire on a 98 sunfire. Maybe any schematics or pictures ? Is it by itself or in a group? I think its black..is that right? I was going to take it all out and try it again....but i wanted to check in here first.

Once i think i found my bulb check wire, how can i check it with a multimeter? What should it read and when should it read it?


Thanks for any help.

If any of you are pros and could email me, i would appreciate it.
[email protected]

-Nate

[nmcgrawj]

oh and is there an easy way to put in lock actuators to unlock and lock the doors with the remote starter? The car does not have factory power locks but i was wondering if i could integrate some actuators with the remote starter....

Let me know
Thanks

[Brandish]

Bulb check wire is in the main ignition harness. Pull off the steering column shroud to gain access to the ignition plugs and look for it in the harness with the two red wires, probably where you're tapped in for your main 12V source. It's very thin gauge. I've never tested it, so I don't know what it would read. You'll also need to connect the purple wire from that 555L to the orange ACC wire to provide ground during crank. After your wires are connected, start the car and let it run for at least 5 seconds and it should program.

As for actuators, it is possible and actually not that difficult to install them in J bodies. I put some in my '95 Sunfire, connected to an alarm system. The actuator motors should come with all the mounting hardware you need. Outside of that, you'll need a couple of relays, and a fair length of wire (speaker wire works fine) to run into the doors to the motors. As long as that remote start has lock outputs (doesn't matter if they're + or -), you should have no problem integrating the actuators.

[nmcgrawj]

Originally Posted by Brandish

Bulb check wire is in the main ignition harness. Pull off the steering column shroud to gain access to the ignition plugs and look for it in the harness with the two red wires, probably where you're tapped in for your main 12V source. It's very thin gauge. I've never tested it, so I don't know what it would read. You'll also need to connect the purple wire from that 555L to the orange ACC wire to provide ground during crank. After your wires are connected, start the car and let it run for at least 5 seconds and it should program.

As for actuators, it is possible and actually not that difficult to install them in J bodies. I put some in my '95 Sunfire, connected to an alarm system. The actuator motors should come with all the mounting hardware you need. Outside of that, you'll need a couple of relays, and a fair length of wire (speaker wire works fine) to run into the doors to the motors. As long as that remote start has lock outputs (doesn't matter if they're + or -), you should have no problem integrating the actuators.

Wow thanks man i didnt think i was going to get a response. So if you are looking at the steering wheel...the bulb check is on the left side of the steering wheel? Just trying to clarify cause i was SEARCHING all over for a thin black wire and there are a couple of them.

Where can i get the lock actuators from? And could you explain how i set the relays up and how i wire those? I always get confused on how to set relays up but im pretty confident i will understand if you can explain it. Where is the best place to get the actuators and relays do u think? How much do you think they will run for?

I really appreciate the help.

Thank you

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by Brandish

Bulb check wire is in the main ignition harness. Pull off the steering column shroud to gain access to the ignition plugs and look for it in the harness with the two red wires, probably where you're tapped in for your main 12V source. It's very thin gauge. I've never tested it, so I don't know what it would read. You'll also need to connect the purple wire from that 555L to the orange ACC wire to provide ground during crank. After your wires are connected, start the car and let it run for at least 5 seconds and it should program.

As for actuators, it is possible and actually not that difficult to install them in J bodies. I put some in my '95 Sunfire, connected to an alarm system. The actuator motors should come with all the mounting hardware you need. Outside of that, you'll need a couple of relays, and a fair length of wire (speaker wire works fine) to run into the doors to the motors. As long as that remote start has lock outputs (doesn't matter if they're + or -), you should have no problem integrating the actuators.

The bulb check wire shows (-) only when in the cranking position. So, tap into the suspected wire and crank it over. It you see the ground, you have it. Also, do not connect the purple wire from the 555L to the orange acc. wire of the remote start. In order for this to work properly, the purple wire needs to see (-) when cranking. So, you should connect this to the purple wire of the remote start. Not the primary purple wire but the 2nd output wire that's like a 20gauge wire and not the big thick one. If that Rattler doesn't have a 2nd starter output, wire up a relay. Here's a copy of the install manual. It talks about it here. http://directechs.com/guides/manuals...555L_7-02B.pdf

After you confirm that everything is correct, start the car with the key. This programs the 555L to learn the correct code. Then, remote start it. It should work.

Actuators are not hard at all, just time consuming. You should look into a system that has the 5wire motors and central locking brain. DEI has them so where ever you bought the remote starter, should have what you need.

Good luck!

[nmcgrawj]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

The bulb check wire shows (-) only when in the cranking position. So, tap into the suspected wire and crank it over. It you see the ground, you have it. Also, do not connect the purple wire from the 555L to the orange acc. wire of the remote start. In order for this to work properly, the purple wire needs to see (-) when cranking. So, you should connect this to the purple wire of the remote start. Not the primary purple wire but the 2nd output wire that's like a 20gauge wire and not the big thick one. If that Rattler doesn't have a 2nd starter output, wire up a relay. Here's a copy of the install manual. It talks about it here. http://directechs.com/guides/manuals...555L_7-02B.pdf

After you confirm that everything is correct, start the car with the key. This programs the 555L to learn the correct code. Then, remote start it. It should work.

Actuators are not hard at all, just time consuming. You should look into a system that has the 5wire motors and central locking brain. DEI has them so where ever you bought the remote starter, should have what you need.

Good luck!

THanks for the help. I will look into that purple wire stuff. I got it from bestbuy and i dont think they haveanything with door lock actuators.

[nmcgrawj]

anyone know where to get actuators from and how much they might cost?

[ponchonutty]

You can get them off of Ebay for about $50

[nmcgrawj]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

You can get them off of Ebay for about $50

Do i have to get a sunfire specific actuator? Can anyone explain how to wire them up the right way? Im a beginner with relays......

Thanks for the help so far.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by nmcgrawj

Do i have to get a sunfire specific actuator? Can anyone explain how to wire them up the right way? Im a beginner with relays......

Thanks for the help so far.

Nope. They are aftermarket items. You just install them where they are not in the way of anything, cut, bend and shape the connecting rod where it works great. Then, wire them up. If you get a complete kit, all the wires are color coded to match so there's no guesswork. The relay will be prewired so you just attach it to power, ground, and the (-) outputs from the keyless or remote starter.

[nmcgrawj]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

Nope. They are aftermarket items. You just install them where they are not in the way of anything, cut, bend and shape the connecting rod where it works great. Then, wire them up. If you get a complete kit, all the wires are color coded to match so there's no guesswork. The relay will be prewired so you just attach it to power, ground, and the (-) outputs from the keyless or remote starter.

So i buy kits on ebay for a lock actuator? Thanks for all the help so far!

[Brandish]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

The bulb check wire shows (-) only when in the cranking position. So, tap into the suspected wire and crank it over. It you see the ground, you have it. Also, do not connect the purple wire from the 555L to the orange acc. wire of the remote start. In order for this to work properly, the purple wire needs to see (-) when cranking. So, you should connect this to the purple wire of the remote start. Not the primary purple wire but the 2nd output wire that's like a 20gauge wire and not the big thick one. If that Rattler doesn't have a 2nd starter output, wire up a relay. Here's a copy of the install manual. It talks about it here. http://directechs.com/guides/manuals...555L_7-02B.pdf

After you confirm that everything is correct, start the car with the key. This programs the 555L to learn the correct code. Then, remote start it. It should work.

Actuators are not hard at all, just time consuming. You should look into a system that has the 5wire motors and central locking brain. DEI has them so where ever you bought the remote starter, should have what you need.

Good luck!

I've wired numerous 555L's running the purple wire to accessory with no problems. ACC will show ground during crank. Not all remote starters have external relays, so tapping into the (-) starter output may not be an option for him. Either that, or some remote starters will have a 2nd starter wire, usually (-) out.

$50 is outrageous for actuators... We sell them here at our shop for $18.99/piece, and they come with all hardware. Check out a local shop... Hell, even the big box stores should sell them for fairly cheap. Stay away from dealerships for parts... They'll rape you on price.

If you're lucky enough to get pre-wired relays, it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out. If not, you'll have to wire them yourself. Most actuators are wired for reverse polarity (they have two wires, normally green and blue). This means you'll need two SPDT relays. If you need any more info, just let us know.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by Brandish

I've wired numerous 555L's running the purple wire to accessory with no problems. ACC will show ground during crank. Not all remote starters have external relays, so tapping into the (-) starter output may not be an option for him. Either that, or some remote starters will have a 2nd starter wire, usually (-) out.

$50 is outrageous for actuators... We sell them here at our shop for $18.99/piece, and they come with all hardware. Check out a local shop... Hell, even the big box stores should sell them for fairly cheap. Stay away from dealerships for parts... They'll rape you on price.

If you're lucky enough to get pre-wired relays, it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out. If not, you'll have to wire them yourself. Most actuators are wired for reverse polarity (they have two wires, normally green and blue). This means you'll need two SPDT relays. If you need any more info, just let us know.

Yeah, sorry. Forgot about those resting at ground when the starter is cranking. As for the locks, I sell them for $50 for a set of 4 with all the hardware and central locking relay.

[Brandish]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

Yeah, sorry. Forgot about those resting at ground when the starter is cranking. As for the locks, I sell them for $50 for a set of 4 with all the hardware and central locking relay.

Ah, gotcha... That's not a bad deal then.