A Guide to Remote Start Installation

Connecting the Ground Wire

The ground wire of your device will most likely be black but if you have any trouble identifying it, refer to the manual. You can connect the ground wire to any paint-free metal surface of the vehicle chassis under or within the lower dash panel.

Getting through the Firewall

You will need to snake the hood pin wire and the tachometer wire through the firewall. To do this, find the rubber grommet that is visible from under the dash panel and under the hood. Carefully cut open the rubber grommet so you can run these wires through it.

The goal here is to get these wires safely routed to the engine compartment.

Ignition Connections

Many of the wires you will have to connect to your remote start will be found coming out of the ignition cylinder. Three main wires will need to be connected: the ignition wire, the accessory wire, and the starter wire. To help you accurately identify these wires, refer to your vehicle’s wiring diagram.

You can also identify these wires with a voltage meter. Each of these wires will read 12 volts either before, during or after cranking the ignition. The ignition wire will give 12 volts before, during and after you crank the ignition.

Once:

You have identified these wires, use wire strippers to remove about a half-inch of insulation from them. Then, bond them with the corresponding remote start wires and secure the connection with wire ties.

Hood Pin and Brake Wires 

Find an area of the engine compartment to install the hood pin switch. The hood pin switch will need to be in a position where it will be fully depressed when the hood is closed.

The brake wire will need to be attached to the brake light wire. The brake light wire will output 12 volts when the brake pedal is depressed. Once you have located this wire, attach it to the brake wire input of your remote start device.

These are the basic steps and connections you will have to make for any remote start system to work properly and securely. Bear in mind that certain vehicle makes and models may require additional steps and that extra wiring is required for manual transmission remote starters.