Ultimate Electronics after market alarm install and wiring mess

**PHOEN$X** · 06-25-2012, 12:45

The previous owner of my 97 Kaiser Silver NSX had an aftermarket alarm installed in the car, and Ultimate Electronics left it looking like this:

The driver cover (part #17 in this diagram) is hanging loose, and obstructs the foot space.

There's a mess of wires under the steering column. I will have to tear it apart to see if I can organize them somehow, so that the cover can be properly refitted.

I think one of the tabs on the driver cover is broken. Do I need to order a new one, or can I fix/reuse this one somehow?

The battery in the 2-way remote doesn't last more than a few weeks. What might be causing this?

**spider2k** · 06-25-2012, 16:09

that is a nasty looking install. hell there isn't even a reason to go on that side of the dash unless you are doing remote start as all the wires are under the glove box

those older DEI remotes eat batteries, especially if the alarm and remote are constantly talking. is the send/recieve on the top of the LCD flicking on all the time?

**PHOEN$X** · 06-25-2012, 18:14

Originally Posted by spider2k

that is a nasty looking install. hell there isn't even a reason to go on that side of the dash unless you are doing remote start as all the wires are under the glove box

those older DEI remotes eat batteries, especially if the alarm and remote are constantly talking. is the send/recieve on the top of the LCD flicking on all the time?

I see the icon flashing every 5 seconds or so. Is that abnormal?

**nsx_2k** · 06-25-2012, 18:30

Sadly, I believe you do have to purchase a new lower panel. There should be two tabs and there should be two rubber bumpers overlying the tabs.

My NSX also had a goofy aftermarket alarm installed. It took me some time to remove it. For me, after I removed all the various ancillary relays that were installed, my battery lasted longer and the car started better.

**joboy77** · 06-25-2012, 19:26

Originally Posted by PHOEN$X

I see the icon flashing every 5 seconds or so. Is that abnormal?

NO that just means that the remote is checking to see if the alarm has been activated, so it can beep and let you know. I have a viper 791 on my accord (same remote) and it also eats batteries like crazy. I have to keep spares in my car because it will go from 2 bars to dead in no time.

**PHOEN$X** · 07-01-2012, 08:39

nsxter used his amazing MacGyver skills and fixed the issue for me. Thanks Don!

The wiring underneath the steering column wasn't too bad.

Driver cover repaired and properly reinstalled.

Plenty of space in the foot well now (sorry for the crappy pic)! I'm a happy camper.

We also installed an iPod adapter that I got for my silver NSX to match my blue. Thanks SOS!

We ultimately installed this unit under the stereo as there simply wasn't enough clearance behind it.

We ran the aux RCA-3.5mm cable down below the console box.

Finished product with Panavise mount and phone holder. Loving it!

**ralph cerbone** · 07-01-2012, 16:43

There is a total auto industry devoted to after market alarms and in MY experience these people should be banned. I have corrected countless alarm installations from independent radio shops to Best buy type businesses. The installers are always racing against the clock, they have limited electrical knowledge which results in a problem down the road for the car owner.
All the work I DID (retired 2yrs ago --- no time for this B.S.) was by referral from independent shops whose customers had problems, from BMW's to Tahoes.
I would remove the system and put the vehicle back to its manufactured state and then have their shop inspect my work. Some repairs would take me 8hrs or more ,based on how bad the installation was. I had a repair on a Mustang where the guy traveled into the city , car would die or sometimes fail to start , shop sent him to me cause they felt problem was with the alarm system. Itold him I would remove the system but he was nervous the car would be stolen, asked me could I do anything . Ok ,I removed the system, he ran the car for a month no problems . I then installed one 20" piece of 16ga wire to a component , showed him how to engage theft deterrent , the only way this car can be stolen is with a tow truck .
Sorry for long post but I get very frustrated when I see this type of work , I don't mean to label all alarm installers as incompetent but this is my experience, I sure Larry B or Pabasso could chime in also

**etang789** · 07-19-2012, 23:48

I have removed many aftermarket alarm installed on used cars I bought or my friends bought, I was surprised how poorly the alarm was installed all the interior pieces and wiring are butchered ....

I have learned that only yourself can do a proper install

**Sylvan** · 07-20-2012, 00:26

I'm no alarm expert but I've seen some hack jobs done on cars I've owned in the past. I'm sure there are plenty of shops / people that are qualified and capable of doing quality installs, but the problem is that good work takes time. When you're working on your own vehicle in the garage, you have the luxury of spending 8, 12, 24 hours or however long it takes to do a very good job on something. Most people wouldn't pay a tech 24 hours of labor to do an install, so he'll quote you maybe 4 or 6 hours of labor in order to get your business. Then he is under a time crunch to get it done and has to naturally cut corners and cheap out in some ways to get the job done. He may even have to learn as he goes because it could be his first time on an NSX or he just doesn't work on them everyday, so he's having to stumble through it. I don't think he is a bad installer or a crook, it is just the reality of the situation he's in, he's trying to do a decent job in the small time he's given to do it. I think this kind of cutting-corners is seen in all types of automotive service. You just can't expect a tech to put as much time and care into a job as a DIY-er. He may have better tools and more experience though.

**PHOEN$X** · 07-20-2012, 10:20

Well, the only part the installer appears to have screwed up was the driver cover, which is now fixed. The alarm system has been working flawlessly since the Shark antenna was installed, and the remote hasn't died since I started using eneloop batteries. I think part of the reason the remote battery died so quickly before was because I disconnected the factory antenna; the alarm transmitter must have used it somehow.

**stevieray122854** · 07-27-2012, 06:47

Originally Posted by etang789

I have learned that only yourself can do a proper install

I beg to differ. Take your car to Best Buy or one of the big box electronic stores and you can pretty much expect the job to be butchered. On the other hand, if you do your due dilligence and find a shop that specializes in car stereo and has MECP-certified installers, you will generally walk out of there satisfied & with clean work.

I have an installer at Hi-Fi Buys here in Nashville, Scott Bray, that I will put up against anybody, anywhere, anytime. I have seen him take absolute hack jobs, turn them into works of art and his custom work is eye-popping. I wouldn't pretend to be in his league as an electronics technician and just like anything else, you get what you pay for.

Like a certain San Francisco Police Inspector once said, "A man's got to know his limitations."