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TundraGeneral discussion forum for the 2007 and later Toyota Tundra.
This is a discussion thread titled "Viper Remote Start help", within the Tundra forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
ok, all you tundra owners with viper remote starts, or those who understand wiring better than my simple understanding, I need your help. Took my truck to BestBuy to have a viper security/remote start installed. After 4 hours of work the technician called me and said he couldn' do it!
He claims the wires off the ignition harness on my truck are small, he guessed around a 22 gauge! I think 22 gauge is pretty darn small but I"m not a pro! Anywho, the wires off the actual viper unit are pretty hefty as I looked at them but don't have an actual gauge size written on them so I can't say acurately.
The problem he said is that he doesn't feel comfortable putting these two different size wires together as the current will run from the bigger to the smaller and he's afraid the smaller would burn up or cause some other terrible effect bestbuy is not prepared to be responsible for. and the last line came straight from the manager's mouth. (Dare I say horse's mouth)
I went to another bestbuy, spoke to the lead technician there and he said he's done them on the '07 tundra and I see some of you all have them.
So....does this or would this concern you? Anybody know the actual size of our wires? I'm looking at every possible angle here....Maybe the tech's who installed yours didn't see a problem in doing this or maybe he did it just b/c that's what the instructions were and doesn't understand what could happen?
Bottom line...I want this installed, but correctly and not where I'm gonna have a problem down the road. (I don't like to be told an aftermarket product doens't fit my truck when I know others have them) Where is the truth?
Their stupid! I was an installer for 5 years at Circuit City. The alarms don't give enough ampage to cook a wire regaurdless of the size. The alarm brain sends pulses to engage the starter. The ignition wire only completes the circuit. The reason the alarm company makes the wires bigger is for reliability issues. Im sorry they did this to you. Go somewhere else. I think they were scared they were going to mess up and be stuck with the bill at the dealership. Go talk to some other places and let them know what best buy did. Im sure they would love your business.
Many of the Tundra wires are pretty small. I was especially surprised at the small (probably 16 or 18 gauge) used for the cigarette lighter and the 12 V auxilliary jack).
With that said and considering the high cost of copper, I can see how Toyota saves a lot of money by using small gauge wires. It also saves a bit on the curb weight of the vehicle.
I'm sure that Toyota has spent a good bit of time researching the minimum acceptable wire gauge for each application. Using too small a wire could lead to a wire overheating and creating a fire.
As to the original question about connecting the large aftermarket wires to the small Toyota wires, the install tech doesn't have a clue what he is talking about. None of the wires he will be connecting will carry large amounts of current for prolonged times.
The aftermarket manufacturer uses heavier gauge wire to minimize their liability (small wire overheating and starting a fire) and increase the compatability of their product. The fact that working with larger wires is easier for people who don't do it all the time may also add in- bigger wires are harder to break.
Here's a great web page for info about wire gauges:
Their stupid! I was an installer for 5 years at Circuit City. The alarms don't give enough ampage to cook a wire regaurdless of the size. The alarm brain sends pulses to engage the starter. The ignition wire only completes the circuit. The reason the alarm company makes the wires bigger is for reliability issues. Im sorry they did this to you. Go somewhere else. I think they were scared they were going to mess up and be stuck with the bill at the dealership. Go talk to some other places and let them know what best buy did. Im sure they would love your business.
Sounds right to me. Best Buy installed my Viper system... my installer was MECP Advanced Level Tech, and he told me that he has done a few Tundra's so far.
__________________
. 2007 TUNDRA 5.7L SR5 TRD 4x2 Double Cab, Salsa Red Pearl
TRD CAI, Corsa Sport Side Exit Dual Tip Exhaust, Stebel 300Hz Air Horn, OEM Tundra Mud Mats, Black powder-coated side-step bars, Ventshades, Line-X, TRD Sway Bar, Blacked headlights surround, White LED guage and dash lights, Viper 771VXR Remote Start / Alarm, Carriage Works black billet grille with logo remount (awaiting install).
I had a Compustar Pro put in by a high end shop in town and they commented on the size of the ignition wires as well. They told me that they are seeing more and more manufactures using smaller gauge wires for the ignition system; I guess you have to trust the electrical engineers that spec the wiring in your vehicle and assume that in today’s aftermarket laden world that they accounted for the installation of a remote start system.
BTW, we had no luck finding the door trigger wire that eliminates the door light on the dash; if anyone finds this little gem, please let me know. My installer pulled the entire dash and cluster checking every possible wire and still could not find it. I need this wire to tie into the onboard alarm on my starter system and all the other alternate door triggers are on the wrong side of the computer and are subject to the delay of the interior lighting system.
__________________ 2007 Tundra CrewMax Ltd. - Slate Metallic, Grey Leather, FE CK AL MG NV RL SO SR, TRD Cat backs, Line X, Truxedo LoPro, De-Badged, TRD CAI, Fender Flares, Painted Door handles
had my viper 771xv installed by best buy last june no problems with install took 2 hours, works great they take your spare key though,i think to bypass the imobilizer, you wont get the key back kinda sucks. specs reads distance on remote 1/4 mile more like 300 ft, and the batteries needs changing often, but overall very satisfied,paid 199 installed at best buy retail for 399, dont know what there going for now.sounds like the tech guy didnt want to do it,or didnt know how ,call a alarm specialty shop ask them.all alarms can go on any veh with the exception of some remote starts..
First and foremost thanks to all you techies out there. I'm a tech of a different breed, my telephone wires are just different colors but are all the same size. hehe
This confirms what I was thinking. I am going back to the second installer at best buy, he seemed to think it was possible and wasn't concerned. A coworker is also friends with him and speaks highly of him. Had I known this bit of info earlier I wouldn't have taken my rig to a different bestbuy.
I was told I would lose a key and this makes sense. As I understand it, the remote start "tricks" the truck to think there is a key in the ignition through a bybass. The "lost" key is placed in the bypass allowing the starter to turn. (Makes sense to me although I may not have all facts straight as I'm a worse mechanic then an electrician.)
Again, thanks for all the quick responses and helpful answers. I'm gonna call and schedule right away with the second installer now.
I gave up my Valet key, it's not like you really use it any way. I would recommend having a regular Toyota key (no chip) cut so if you need to get into the truck due to a lost fob or you locked your keys in, then you have one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by doc40
First and foremost thanks to all you techies out there. I'm a tech of a different breed, my telephone wires are just different colors but are all the same size. hehe
This confirms what I was thinking. I am going back to the second installer at best buy, he seemed to think it was possible and wasn't concerned. A coworker is also friends with him and speaks highly of him. Had I known this bit of info earlier I wouldn't have taken my rig to a different bestbuy.
I was told I would lose a key and this makes sense. As I understand it, the remote start "tricks" the truck to think there is a key in the ignition through a bybass. The "lost" key is placed in the bypass allowing the starter to turn. (Makes sense to me although I may not have all facts straight as I'm a worse mechanic then an electrician.)
Again, thanks for all the quick responses and helpful answers. I'm gonna call and schedule right away with the second installer now.
__________________ 2007 Tundra CrewMax Ltd. - Slate Metallic, Grey Leather, FE CK AL MG NV RL SO SR, TRD Cat backs, Line X, Truxedo LoPro, De-Badged, TRD CAI, Fender Flares, Painted Door handles
Wires dont send current, open circuits pull current so to speak. The reason the tundra doesnt have fat ignition wires is simple. The ignition is computer controlled and the power doesnt flow through it. Its just a big switch. Hooking the fat ones is fine. Just goes to show you that anyone can work anywhere these days.
I recently had a viper 5900 w/ remote start installed and didn't have to give up a key.
what the hay..? This installer down my street I know trying sale me a clifford alarm for 900$ Kwow. LCD screen page up to mile /remote start /remote windows can roll down with push of button/ whole bunch little stuff lol.
I recently had a viper 5900 w/ remote start installed and didn't have to give up a key.
Is yours a 5.9?
Where did you have it installed?
Have the contact info of your installer?
Last stupid question...... does your remote starter work?
Please let us know. I want one, but not willing to put a key to my truck in my car for them to freely use. Not sure if insurance will cover that if anything happens. (I can see them saying anything just to not cover anything)
From what I seen online and from speaking to installer there 2 type of bypass modules one require a key(chip) and other just requires a key to program temporaly.
What I heard some better installer do is cut the actual key part off the key if they require you to hide one in the bypass module that way if someone breaks in and digs through your dash they wont find a key they can use to turn the ignition on.
Is yours a 5.9?
Where did you have it installed?
Have the contact info of your installer?
Last stupid question...... does your remote starter work?
Please let us know. I want one, but not willing to put a key to my truck in my car for them to freely use. Not sure if insurance will cover that if anything happens. (I can see them saying anything just to not cover anything)
I did it at the south lamar location. Yes my remote start works great. 1 mile range. My office is on the 2nd floor. I park in a parking garage on the 4th level. I was like there's no way this will work through all the concrete in the parking garage. I can start my truck from my desk.
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Viper Remote Start help
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