Hey guys! I recently bought a 1995 M3 and was trying to get an alarm installed. I took my M3 to Best Buy yesterday and the tech told me that they could not install the Viper alarm system that I purchased because my M3 is missing the factory alarm module and harness. My question is why would I need to have a factory alarm on my vehicle in order to install an aftermarket. I kinda feel like the tech did not want to install the alarm for me. Thanks guys!
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Talk about lazyness at the installer of Best Buy. A skilled installer (rare at Best Buy, I would know i worked at one for 5 years) would know where to tap in the wires without a plug-n-play alarm ready vehicle. However, i thought all M3s regardless of year had the plug-n-play Pre-Wired alarm? I may be wrong though. I installed viper alarm/remote start myself using.
Anyways i did a video a while back; This is purely for reference only.
YouTube
Viper Remote Start BMW m3 - YouTube
Remote Start on Manual Stick Shift Car w/ Neutral Safety Switch - YouTube
HOWEVER: If in fact you do not have that OEM Alarm Pre-Wire, then these are the wiring info on your car.
Security
WIRE COLOR POLARITY LOCATION
Battery RED/GREEN (+) OR RED/BLU IGNITION HARNESS
Ignition 1 GREEN (+) IGN HARNESS GRN ALARM PLUG
Starter 1 BLACK/BLUE (+) IGN HARNESS GRN/BLK ALARM PLUG
All Door Trigger RED/BLUE (+) MODULE BEHIND GLOVE BOX (THIS WIRE DIMS)
Trunk Trigger WHITE/BROWN (-) DRIVERS KICK
Hood Trigger VIOLET/GREEN (-) MODULE BEHIND GLOVE BOX
Alarm Disarm BLUE/RED (-) NEED TO PULSE AFTER START FOR REMOTE STR
Alarm Arm W/LOCKS
Parking Lights REMOVE SWITCH (+) 4TH WIRE FROM LEFT ON RIBBON CABLE (NOTE
FOURTH WIRE FROM LEFT LOOKING AT SWITCH IN RIBBON CABLE
Convenience
WIRE COLOR POLARITY LOCATION
Headlights-Lo YELLOW (+) HEADLIGHT SWITCH
Wipers-Lo BLACK/GRAY (-) OR BLK/BLU STEERING COLUMN
Trnk Release GRAY/RED (-) AT SWITCH IN DASH
Remote Start
WIRE COLOR POLARITY LOCATION
Battery RED/GREEN (+) OR RED/BLU IGNITION HARNESS
Ignition 1 GREEN (+) IGN HARNESS GRN ALARM PLUG
Ignition 2 VIOLET (+) OR VIO/WHT IGNITION HARNESS
Accessory 1 VIOLET (+) IGN HARNESS OR VIO/WHT ALARM PLUG
Starter 1 BLACK/BLUE (+) IGN HARNESS GRN/BLK ALARM PLUG
Anti-Theft Type RF ACTIVATED SYS.
Anti-Theft Descript EWS II
Tachometer BLACK (-) DIA. PLUG PASS SIDE OF ENG ROUND BLK PLU
Speed Sense BROWN/RED (AC) IN HARNESS FROM GAUGES
MAY ALSO BE BLACK/WHITE
Parking Lights REMOVE SWITCH (+) 4TH WIRE FROM LEFT ON RIBBON CABLE (NOTE
FOURTH WIRE FROM LEFT LOOKING AT SWITCH IN RIBBON CABLE
Brake Lights BROWN/WHITE (+) SWITCH ABOVE BRAKE PEDAL
Reverse Lights BLUE/YELLOW (+) AT GEAR SELECTOR SWITCH
Horn BROWN/RED (-) STEERING COLUMN
Modules
WIRE LOCATION
Module 1 LOACTED BEHIND GLOVE , WHITE BOX
Doorlocks/Windows
WIRE COLOR POLARITY LOCATION
Power Unlock BLUE/RED (-) PIN 22 THIS WILL DISARM ALARM DOUBLE PUL
REQUIRES DOUBLE PULSE
PowerLock WHITE/BLACK (-) PIN 20 OF MODULE BEHIND GLOVE BOX:WHT BO
LF Window Up LF:BLACK/WHITE
RF Window Up RF:BLUE/GREEN LR:BLACK/YELLOW RR:WHITE/YELLOW
LR Window Up LF:VIOLET/WHITE
RR Window Up RF:YELLOW/GREEN LR:BLUE/GRAY RR:BLUE/RED
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Talk about lazyness at the installer of Best Buy. A skilled installer (rare at Best Buy, I would know i worked at one for 5 years) would know where to tap in the wires without a plug-n-play alarm ready vehicle. However, i thought all M3s regardless of year had the plug-n-play Pre-Wired alarm? I may be wrong though. I installed viper alarm/remote start myself using.
Anyways i did a video a while back; This is purely for reference only.
YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O158ZZol5YA)
Viper Remote Start BMW m3 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WakTrbYtGkg)
Remote Start on Manual Stick Shift Car w/ Neutral Safety Switch - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lI9WU0cktI)
HOWEVER: If in fact you do not have that OEM Alarm Pre-Wire, then these are the wiring info on your car.
Security
WIRE COLOR POLARITY LOCATION
Battery RED/GREEN (+) OR RED/BLU IGNITION HARNESS
Ignition 1 GREEN (+) IGN HARNESS GRN ALARM PLUG
Starter 1 BLACK/BLUE (+) IGN HARNESS GRN/BLK ALARM PLUG
All Door Trigger RED/BLUE (+) MODULE BEHIND GLOVE BOX (THIS WIRE DIMS)
Trunk Trigger WHITE/BROWN (-) DRIVERS KICK
Hood Trigger VIOLET/GREEN (-) MODULE BEHIND GLOVE BOX
Alarm Disarm BLUE/RED (-) NEED TO PULSE AFTER START FOR REMOTE STR
Alarm Arm W/LOCKS
Parking Lights REMOVE SWITCH (+) 4TH WIRE FROM LEFT ON RIBBON CABLE (NOTE
FOURTH WIRE FROM LEFT LOOKING AT SWITCH IN RIBBON CABLE
Convenience
WIRE COLOR POLARITY LOCATION
Headlights-Lo YELLOW (+) HEADLIGHT SWITCH
Wipers-Lo BLACK/GRAY (-) OR BLK/BLU STEERING COLUMN
Trnk Release GRAY/RED (-) AT SWITCH IN DASH
Remote Start
WIRE COLOR POLARITY LOCATION
Battery RED/GREEN (+) OR RED/BLU IGNITION HARNESS
Ignition 1 GREEN (+) IGN HARNESS GRN ALARM PLUG
Ignition 2 VIOLET (+) OR VIO/WHT IGNITION HARNESS
Accessory 1 VIOLET (+) IGN HARNESS OR VIO/WHT ALARM PLUG
Starter 1 BLACK/BLUE (+) IGN HARNESS GRN/BLK ALARM PLUG
Anti-Theft Type RF ACTIVATED SYS.
Anti-Theft Descript EWS II
Tachometer BLACK (-) DIA. PLUG PASS SIDE OF ENG ROUND BLK PLU
Speed Sense BROWN/RED (AC) IN HARNESS FROM GAUGES
MAY ALSO BE BLACK/WHITE
Parking Lights REMOVE SWITCH (+) 4TH WIRE FROM LEFT ON RIBBON CABLE (NOTE
FOURTH WIRE FROM LEFT LOOKING AT SWITCH IN RIBBON CABLE
Brake Lights BROWN/WHITE (+) SWITCH ABOVE BRAKE PEDAL
Reverse Lights BLUE/YELLOW (+) AT GEAR SELECTOR SWITCH
Horn BROWN/RED (-) STEERING COLUMN
Modules
WIRE LOCATION
Module 1 LOACTED BEHIND GLOVE , WHITE BOX
Doorlocks/Windows
WIRE COLOR POLARITY LOCATION
Power Unlock BLUE/RED (-) PIN 22 THIS WILL DISARM ALARM DOUBLE PUL
REQUIRES DOUBLE PULSE
PowerLock WHITE/BLACK (-) PIN 20 OF MODULE BEHIND GLOVE BOX:WHT BO
LF Window Up LF:BLACK/WHITE
RF Window Up RF:BLUE/GREEN LR:BLACK/YELLOW RR:WHITE/YELLOW
LR Window Up LF:VIOLET/WHITE
RR Window Up RF:YELLOW/GREEN LR:BLUE/GRAY RR:BLUE/RED
So I don't necessarily need the factory alarm module to install the viper alarm system. The owner before me for some reason took out the 12 pin harness as well as the factory alarm module.
I went on ebay and purchased the harness last night hoping that I can just use that to install the aftermarket alarm system.
Thank you for your help!
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bestbuy is only good for so many things. I would recommend either getting a stock alarm or check around for a local car audio shop that has installed aftermarket ones before. I did and have not regretted having a Viper alarm system installed.
I live in an area where not so many people drive BMW's or even foreign cars. lol. If I was still in southern California, I would not have a problem taking it to an audio/alarm shop.
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It took me 1/2 hour to install the one from Unitedsecurity mentioned above and that includes removing the glove box (it also came with instructions so you can't mess up). If your car is pre-wired, it should be supper easy to install. I wouldn't pay anyone to do it. It's like changing the oil or spark plugs, it just seems intimidating at first but once you've done it, you'll be glad you didn't pay the "professional" to do it for you.
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So I returned the Viper alarm system after dealing with Best Buy and purchased an Avital alarm system which was a whole lot cheaper. Today I attempted to install the system and came across some problems. I got he remote to lock and unlock the doors. However, when I shut the doors the alarm seems like it turns off and does not react to the remote. When the door is open, the alarm chips, operates, doors locks and unlock. Does anyone know what I can do to fix this problem? Im no Subject matter expert when it comes to electrical stuff but I figure id give it a shot. =)
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So I returned the Viper alarm system after dealing with Best Buy and purchased an Avital alarm system which was a whole lot cheaper. Today I attempted to install the system and came across some problems. I got he remote to lock and unlock the doors. However, when I shut the doors the alarm seems like it turns off and does not react to the remote. When the door is open, the alarm chips, operates, doors locks and unlock. Does anyone know what I can do to fix this problem? Im no Subject matter expert when it comes to electrical stuff but I figure id give it a shot. =)
Where is the alarm grounded? The black wire on the Avital wiring harness.
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