I was wondering if anybody here knows anything about alarm systems. since a lot of older cars don't come with them (123, 126) i was thinking i could put one it by myself instead of hiring them to rip me off.

basically what i want is a security system with remote doors.

i was thinking i could put a remote door unlockers too if i just install a linear actuator on the driver side to pull up on the lock and it should unlock eveything else.

how are the wirings on security systems? are they universal like radio wirings? how hard is it to put one of these in these older cars?

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198? 300D ???K - Future DD
1989 300TE 285K - traded in '12
1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08
1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05

you wont save more than 35 dollars if you did it yourself. these days the cost is around 170 to have it installed, i'm referring to a DEI valet remote starter with auto door lock capabilities. the alarm of the car itself would work with it if you had the built in alarm otherwise you're looking around 300 to 350 for the whole system with alarm. doing it yourself wont help because that voids the life time warranty by the manufacturer. so why would you waste about 6 to 7 hours of your time when you can get it all done by them for about 50 bucks or so max ?
hope this answers your question.

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Whether you think you can or cannot, Either way you're right!. by Henry Ford.

I never heard of any place installing it for less than 100 bucks. my car doesn't have a factory alarm. so the store wants $199 for he basic alarm (mind you this is the cheapest one) and if i want remote doors with would be a lot more. they also charge MSRP for their alarm system. i was thinking if i could buy one off ebay and install it my self it would be a lot cheaper.

its kinda like installing a cd player, the stores wants 75 bucks for it (1.5 hours at 50 bucks an hour) but i could do it for free! it be cool to learn how to do it too.

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198? 300D ???K - Future DD
1989 300TE 285K - traded in '12
1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08
1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05

here in NJ one of the best DEI remote starters are 179 installed. perhaps the prices are different where you live.
good luck.

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Whether you think you can or cannot, Either way you're right!. by Henry Ford.

ned,

Your plan is perfect. At least it worked perfectly for me. The electric actuator to operate the driver's door (and therefore all the others) is neccessary on '84 and older as you have already surmised. I used a cheap Bulldog system, but anything that works the new electric actuator will work. The door switch will then actuate the vacuum locks. Since you're not actuating the vacuum pump directly (ike the '85 up technique) I don't see why you would need the three second signal that it calls for, but many alarm systems come with it anyway if you want to be sure.

I wired mine with interface to the factory alarm (mine still worked, but obviously there was no remote in 1984). If I did it again I'd do it with the new system only, as you propose. Wasn't difficult at all. Take care with the position of your piggy back electric actuator and creative bends to it's rod.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Ned, how did your install go????
Harold

I ended up going to a store to do this. some of the stores around town wanted $250+ saying that it was hard to install. one store i went to said it would be $120 installed. they used 3 hours (instead of 1 1/2 for normal cars) but charged a set rate. they also said they wanted $40 for a remote door. they did a professional install and i am very pleased with it.

so yeah i pussed out and took it to the store

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198? 300D ???K - Future DD
1989 300TE 285K - traded in '12
1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08
1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05

Guys, is there some advantage to adding an actuator rather than using the three second lock/unlock remote pulse?
Harold

Out of curiosity what part of NC do you live in?? Because I live in NC too. Anyway DEI is definently the way to go when it comes to alarms, they make the best. I had to find this out the hard way though. After having a top of the line Alpine alarm attempted to be installed on my car, four hours later, I found the alarm wouldn't work. Apparently, at least on my mercedes, the alarm output must send a signal to the vacuum pump to unlock or lock the doors for at least 3 seconds. The highest was about 2.5 seconds. This meant that the Alpine alarm could not lock or unlock the doors. Sometimes it could unlock the doors if you tried a few times, but I never saw it lock the doors. The DEI unit on the other sends the signal for 3.3 seconds I think (more than 3 I know) so the lock and unlock feature works great. The DEI unit I purchased, which was a top of the line model at the time functions great. The only time I have ever had problems with it, it was because I messed it up, trying to power police strobes without a relay, but it was replaced for free under warranty. DEI offers a lifetime warranty on their alarms. As to your getting charged for installation,did you go to a smaller audio shop. Because I know everywhere I priced alarms, installation was always included. In fact you could not even by the alarm by itself, installation was included in the price. Go to Best Buy, the now carry viper and other dei brands such as sidewinder and python. You should be able to get a good model which includes an alarm and remote entry for around $225 installed. If you have any more alarm questions just let me know and I'll be glad to help you.

Howdy. I am in the Southern Pines/Aberdeen area. I am right where they are looking for the escaped cop shooter, surrounded by swat types as I type this! Anyway, I installed my own, a Crimestopper. I have installed them before so I am somewhat comfortable with them although they all appear to install the same. Aftermarket Alarm Install
This diagram at the12volt.com is what I used for the locks, it was a big help.http://www.the12volt.com/doorlocks/page3.asp#vac
Works great. I have a 3 second lock pulse. I spent as much time researching wiring diagrams etc as I did on the actual install. I was also installing an Alpine stereo at the same time.
Regards,
Harold

Alarms are not too difficult if you have the wiring diagram and the patience to find the wires and do it properly.

Most shops around where I am charge $100 per door to add door lock actuators to a door. Kinda sucks when the actuator costs less than $10.00 each. But I guess the labor to install them can be difficult depending on the car.

Most alarms here start from $199.99 and go up from there depending on options.

The hardest part is to find the wires - even with diagrams, because there are always so many and it is hard to understand the alarm installation directions sometimes.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon - Sold
2006 E350 Wagon - 368 - Dead
2015 GL350 Bluetec - 197U

So true. I was ready to add the actuator til I found the above the12volt diagram. I picked up the lock wire under the passenger side kick panel. I don't know why anyone would add an actuator if they could do it he relay way. FWIW I found most of my alarm wires under the pass side mat on the inside firewall. I did have to run the tack wire to the coil.
Harold

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