[Pauls MDX]

anyone installed an aftermarket alarm system? i'm trying to get the oem factory alarm to work with the aftermarket alarm system and having trouble tieing it in. i was able to get the disarm to work. so i can disarm both system at the same time but cannot arm the factory system with the aftermarket transmitter. i am able to disarm the factory with the aftermarket transmitter. anyone had this problem? or any idea on how to arm and disarm with the aftermarket system. by the wat it's a solaris g-4 by clifford.

 

[Wongster]

I can feel for you. I have an alarm/autostart combo installed just before Xmas, and I have gone back to the installer 4 times to get the new alarm/autostart system to "interface" with the factory alarm properly. Not only I had problem with arming/disarming the factory alarm, I had problem locking/unlocking the door using the p-lock switch (but no problem when I use the remote to arm/lock or disarm/unlock). The installer must have spent over 10 hours working in my X.
Finally, he got everything to work except for the "ignition control door lock" = this feature locks all doors when they are all closed and when the key is in the ON position; and unlock the doors when the key is turn back from ON. For some "highly technical" reasons, he could get this feature to work with the rest.
I watched him worked in my X, and he worked hard and tried many things (under the hood, inside the door panel), but no luck.
Well .... so be it, I am tried of going back.

Besides that, everything works jut fine. The autostart is great, it is lovely to get into a warm car with warm seat, a must for central Canada.

 

[Pauls MDX]

factory alarm & aftermarket

I had one little concern. With my clifford system I am not able to arm both systems thru the aftermarket alarm transmitter. I can disarm both systems thru the remote. There was a compatitively issue, but I can arm thru the factory alarm thru the door locks manually if I want to have both systems armed the same time. In my maxima I was able to arm and disarm thru the clifford transmitter. But as lonf as you are able to dis-arm the factory it really isn't an issue. With the cliffford system it automatically opens doors when the ignition is shut off, and locks doors automatically when put in drive and accelerate. I like that feature alot. The autostart like you said is excellent in the cold, you get into a warm suv with the seats already heated up! I will have to check if it affected the ignition stock door lock feature, I had never known about that feature until yesterday.

 

[Wongster]

Paul,
According to my installer, our X is one of the most complicated car that he has ever worked with, and he has been in the business for 8 years. Here is now my alarm system/remote works:
Factory remote = arm/disarm factory alarm and lock/unlock doors.
Aftermarket remote = arm/disarm BOTH factory and aftermarket alarms and lock/unlock door.

I can arm the factory alarm with the factory remote, and then disarm it using the aftermarket remote. But if I arm the car with the aftermarket remote, both alarm systems are armed, and the factory remote can only disarm the factory alarm. Using the key to arm car works the way as using the factory remote = it only arms the factory alarm.

I am glad to hear the ignition control lock works in your X, it is a feature that I like a lot, but have NOT.

 

[Maximus]

Do you think the guy that installed your system would give out some hints to make the Aftermarket arm both systems and disarm both systems with a remote start?

 

[swhtech]

I would also be interested in any information on how the aftermarket alarm is interfacing with the factory system to arm\disarm the factory alarm?? Where does it interface, in the door or under the dash??? Any help or ideas would be great!

 

[Pauls MDX]

manually arm factory alarm

At this point in time, I have to arm the factory by locking the drivers door. The aftermarket clifford system will disarm both factory and aftermarket. I really don't need the factory with the clifford, but if I fell I want both alarms, I just have to lock the drivers doors brfore closing and that arms the factory manually. Then upon comming back, I can use the auto start or disarm to shut down both alarms and open doors. I am still looking into an update with clifford to arm both systems using the aftermarket clifford system. Check it out on www.clifford.com this is the highest available level od security I could find. It's great because if some tows the vehicle it will go off and if someone even hits the vehicle lightly it causes the alarm to sound. No false alarms at all due to the digital technology incorporated!!!

 

[Wongster]

The alarm/autostart combo I purchased is designed to "integrate" with the factory alarm system. So the installer basically follow the installation manual to interface both systems. If you are interested to get more info, you can download a copy of the installation manual from www.directed.com. The alarm/autostart I have is Viper 550ESP. Good luck.

 

[Maximus]

The intallation manual does not tell you where he installed the wires or found the proper relays in the X to connect to to properly integrate the aftermarket alarm with the factory. Where are the locations of the connections and how are they connected?
It seems like not many installers know how to integrate properly or else the guy with the clifford alarm should be able to do the same thing yours does because the info source is from DEI which is the same company who maufactures Viper. This is the tough part finding the right info to integrate properly so a intaller can do it right. By the way. Are you sure your viper remote arms and disarms the factory and viper? How can you tell?

 

[Pauls MDX]

Dummy light

Some installers are making the lite flash on the door, without actually arming the system. I choose not to do this, so if I feel I need the extra protection I have the choice whether or not to arm the factory system.

 

[Wongster]

I did a simple test to see if the 2 systems interface properly:
1. Set the Viper system in valet mode.
2. Using the Viper fob to arm/disarm the factory system = driver door light flashing, all 5 doors locked.
3. Sat inside car, Viper in valet mode, armed factory alarm with Viper fob, manually lifted the lock tab = factory alarm set-off (big honking sound instead of the Viper siren).
4. Sat inside car, Viper reset to normal mode, armed both systems using Viper fob (all 5 doors locked, door light and Viper LED display flashing), manually lifted lock tab = both alarm set-off (honk + siren).

As for the actual wiring of the system, all I can tell is that the installer also has a complete MDX wiring diagram. Acura provides this info to the alarm manufacturer, who in turn makes it available to licensed/qualified installation site.

Good luck.

 

[Maximus]

Wongster
If your alarm is a Viper 550 ESP then it should have the automatic locking feature when the car starts to move. I have the same alarm on my civic. Have your installer check that it is working.
I was hoping to see if your installer would give up some info regarding where the relays are and how to tie into them. I figure if the Factory alarm is armed by locking the doors manually with the key or a remote then all that I have to do is find the relay that auto locks the doors. Thanks anyway

 

[Wongster]

Ignition control lock

Maximus,
I take it you are refering to the "ignition control door lock" feature. It automatic locks all doors when I turn the key to the "ON" postion, and unlock them when the key is turned back. If you look at my earlier posts in this thread, this is the only one feature my installer was unable to get it work properly 100% of the time. I ended up turn this feature off.
Besides that, everythings seem to be working as advertised.

You may want to check with your dealership or contact Acura to see if you can get a copy of the MDX wiring diagram, you probably will find all the answers there plus many other useful info.

Good luck.

 

[Pauls MDX]

CLIFFORD AUTO LOCK

MINE LOCKS AS SOON AS I HIT A CERTAIN RPM THE DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND WHEN I SHUT VEHICLE OFF THEY UNLOCK. STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THE ARMING THING OUT?

 

[JeffB]

Clifford, AutoStart and Key Transponder

Paul - I meant to ask in an earlier post - how did your Clifford installer get around the key chip issue for AutoStart. On my 00 Expedition, they had to remove the transponder chip from the key and attach behind the steering column. I seem to remeber that after they did this either DEI or Clifford came out with a bypass module that enabled AutoStart without doing this. I'm going to add an AvantGuard 4 to my MDX and I jsust wanted to know if they had made any improvements. Thanks.

 

[Pauls MDX]

jeffb I had to give up a key

They have to drill down on of your keys either the extra one or the valet key. I believe it is drilled and they use part of key with chip to install in the immobilization unit from clifford, then you can use the auto start. The entire unit is then buried deep in the dash board. Check out jc whitney for a very loud electric siren that blows away the clifford, more like a police siren. it's about $45. I am using the battery back-up clifford siren in addition to the jc whitney siren it makes a nice sandwich!!

 

[DaleB]

Paul, you should be our resident 'alarm' expert. Not an alarmist, just an expert.

In fact that would be part of my suggestion for revamping this forum, is have more separate categories, like one for choosing and installing aftermarket alarms.

 

[Maximus]

Paul
My alarm guy and I are working on he fix and will be looking in to intgrating the aftermarket with factory. By the way. DEI does have a bypass module so you don't have to butcher keys. I'm trying to get some inside info from my guy at Acura. Once we figure it out and if you're ever in Jersey let me know. I will be installing an Avitel system with AIRHORNS just like in my civic with a custom hood lock. That's the key. If they can't cut the sirens off or get under you're hood they don't want it. Unless they tow it!!!

 

[Pauls MDX]

Re: Clifford, AutoStart and Key Transponder

Paul - I meant to ask in an earlier post - how did your Clifford installer get around the key chip issue for AutoStart. On my 00 Expedition, they had to remove the transponder chip from the key and attach behind the steering column. I seem to remeber that after they did this either DEI or Clifford came out with a bypass module that enabled AutoStart without doing this. I'm going to add an AvantGuard 4 to my MDX and I jsust wanted to know if they had made any improvements. Thanks.

I had to give up a key where I believe the drilled the key down to get to the transponder. I just had them integrate the factory and the clifford to work off the same remote. What a pleasure it is now. I can arm both systems and disarm both systems thru the clifford remote. For some reason they couldn't do this at the time of initial installation. I had my installer contact directed and audiovox(maker of factory system) and they told him how to integrate. There seems to be a change in the electronics from the 2001 to the 2002 MDX. My installer initially did the exact install as he did with a 2001 MDX but mine would not arm the factory it would only disarm. It was a pain because I would have to manuallly lock the drivers door to arm the factory, but now they work together it's great. I added an additional siren to the battery backup clifford and it pretty loud which I like. The system is amazing would recommend to anyone who want the best protection for there car or SUV.:2: :5: :29:

 

[JeffB]

I'm having an AvantGuard4 installed this week. DEI has 2 bypass modules to use for the key issue - the 555U is a box that actually holds the spare key. The better alternative is designed specifically for Honda/Acura Immobilizer - it is the 555H - just a black box that can be programmed to look like a key to the transponder. Do you have any specific instructions I can give my installer about tying the two systems together so that the Clifford remote arms both?