I had a very frustrating weekend trying to add an alarm to my FJ. My day started with a stop in Moreno Valley at the Circuit City. I wanted to get my Viper 5000 alarm system put into the FJ and they told me over the phone that it would be no problem.
I chose this particular store because the head installer use to work at Toyota and knows his sh*t when working on Toyotas. He worked on two past Toyota of mine and people who seen his work commend his clean installs.
Anyway, I’m at the store when it opens and I tell the staff I want my alarm installed and need a new remote. First, they steer me to buy a Python alarms system for $500 that had only half of the feature as my Viper.
Then they said they had no remotes for my unit. Viper and Python are both made by Directed Electronics so they should be compatible since both replacement remotes listed the same model #.
Then the guy said if I add remote start they would need the access number for the chip that is in my key. I was told by my sales person to never ever give that code to anyone unless I’m ordering a new key from the dealer.
Well, after debating what we were going to do they told me they can’t work on the FJ because they have no schematics for the vehicle. I told them I could download the schematics for them and Toyota wiring would be the same for the ignition as similar vehicles such as the 2006 Tacoma.
After that they came back and said they really don’t want to work on a very new car such as the FJ because they don’t know what to expect that something may be different and they may not install the alarm right.
They suggested that I go to a “mom & pop” store so they could “experiment” with my ride. I left pissed off but happy because I would rather set up my alarm and screw it up then have someone else do it and f**k it up.
Now to you all, has anyone installed an aftermarket alarm yet (shop or DIY)? If you have or know how to install do you have any first timer tips?
O ya, F!@* Circuit City!
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