Installation Tips for Alarms &
Remote Starters
GNU Industries, Inc.
10140 N.W. 53rd St
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33311 USA
Tel. (800) 780-1409 (954) 741-5191
Fax. (954) 741-2989
E-mail:
sales@commandocaralarms.com
SAFETY FIRST
When installed and set-up properly, the
COMMANDO with remote starter will start the vehicle via remote control. Never operate this system in an enclosed area without proper ventilation. It is the sole responsibility of the owner/user to handle the remote transmitters so that the vehicle does not unintentionally start. All doors leading to the vehicle must be closed at all times and it is the sole responsibility of the owner/user to install a carbon monoxide detector in the living area close to where the vehicle is stored.The use of this product in a manner that it was not intended could result in property damage, personal injury, and/or death. Never remote start the vehicle with the keys in the ignition. Never remote start the vehicle when the vehicle is in gear.
This system must be installed by a professional vehicle alarm installer!
GNU Industries, Inc. disclaims any liability or responsibility arising because of any inaccuracies in this information or use of this information for installations or otherwise.
Installation Guidelines
4. To avoid damage to vehicle control electronics, do not use a test light to identify live circuits.
Component Location Tips
Control Module
Never install the control module in the engine compartment as it is subject to excessive heat and vibration.
When installing the control module, find a secure location that will not require extending the length of the supplied wiring harness.
The higher the control module is mounted in the vehicle, the better the transmitter range will be. Some good control module locations are inside the center console, above the under-dash fuse box, above the radio or above the glove box. Always install the control module in a well hidden, difficult to access location.
Siren
Mount the siren away from obvious heat sources. Exhaust manifolds, radiators, turbochargers and heat shields are all locations to avoid.
Mount the siren where a thief cannot easily disconnect it. Both the siren and wires should be difficult to reach without having under-hood access.
Point the siren down so water cannot collect in it. This will also increase the volume by allowing the sound to escape underneath the vehicle.
Shock Sensor
Find a location for the shock sensor that is close to the control module so the wire will not have to be extended. Keep the sensor away from heat sources. Mounting the shock sensor to the steering column (making sure not to interfere with the steering functionality) or tie wrap the sensor to the alarm wiring harness bundle for added sensitivity.
Never mount the shock sensor in the engine compartment.
Alarm Override Switch
The override switch should be installed in a well-hidden location.
Check to ensure that the location you pick has enough clearance for the body (rear) of the switch.
The override switch should be installed in a location so passengers and any stored items cannot accidentally press the switch.
When the customer takes delivery of the vehicle, always remember to show them the override switch location.
LED Status Indicator
The LED Status Indicator should be mounted in a location that allows it to be visible from both sides, as well as the rear of the vehicle
Small removable switch or dash panels near the center of the vehicle are good mounting locations.
Starter Kill Relay
The starter kill relay connections should not be immediately visible when looking under the dash.
The starter kill relay and it's connections should look like factory wiring.
Installation Warnings
DO NOT EXTEND STARTER WIRE HARNESS LENGTH.
When mounting the control module, place the module so that the wire reaches the ignition switch. Extending this wire may result in overload of the alarm start circuit causing poor operation, excessive heat or even vehicle damage.DO NOT INSTALL THIS SYSTEM WITHOUT THE HOOD SAFTEY SWITCH. Failure to install the provided hood switch can result in severe injury.
DO NOT USE A TEST LIGHT TO PROBE LIVE CIRCUITS. A test light can cause uncharacteristic current draw in factory wiring and lead to failure in sensitive vehicle electronic systems. Always use a DMM (digital multi-meter), or equivalent, when probing vehicle wiring.
PLAN THE INSTALLATION IN ADVANCE. Read through the following installation instructions thoroughly before beginning the installation procedure. Having a well thought out plan prior to beginning the installation will help ensure few problems.
Installation Wiring
+12VDC
Connect the +12VDC wire to (+) terminal of the vehicle battery or the constant power supply to vehicle ignition switch. Always install the 35 Amp fuse within 12 inches of this connection.
Starter Wire (On Board Relay)
Connect the Starter Wire to the vehicle Starter Wire coming off of the ignition key switch in the steering column area. This wire will read +12V with a meter in the start position only. Note: When using the Starter Disable Relay attach the Starter Wire to starter side of the vehicles cut starter wire (see diagram).
Ignition (On Board Relay)
Connect the Ignition wire to the vehicle Ignition 1 wire coming off of the key switch behind the steering column. This wire will read +12V on the test meter in the run and start position, but is off in the lock/off and accessory position.
Ignition 2(On Board Relay)
Connect the Ignition 2wire to the vehicle Ignition 2 wire coming off of the key switch behind the steering column. This wire will read +12V on the test meter in the run and start position, but is off in the lock/off and accessory position. Some vehicles do not require the use of the Ignition 2 wire. Check your wiring data sheet for this info.
Accessory (On Board Relay)
Connect the Accessory wire to the vehicle accessory wire coming off of the key switch behind the steering column area. This wire will read +12V on the test meter in the run and accessory position, but is off in the start and off position.
Ground
A good ground connection is critical for the proper operation of this system, as well as transmitter range. Connect the Ground wire to a clean and corrosion free chassis ground. A good chassis ground point can usually be found in the drivers side kick panel area of the vehicle. Make sure that the chosen grounding point is free of paint, grease and/or other contaminants.
(+) Parking Light
Connect the (+) Parking Light wire to the vehicle (+) Parking Light wire. This wire can be found in the steering column (for vehicles with switch built into the turn signal lever) or near the dash mounted vehicle light switch. The vehicle Parking Light wire used for this connection must not be affected by the dimmer switch. Many Asian vehicles send a (-) signal from the switch to a relay. The relay then sends a 12V(+) signal to the lights. Connect to the 12V(+) wire after the relay for these vehicles.
(+) Siren Output
Connect the (+) Siren Output wire to the red wire of the alarm's siren. Connect the siren's black wire to a clean, corrosion free chassis ground.
(+) Brake Pedal Reset
Connect the (+) Brake Pedal Reset wire to the wire that reads +12V on the test meter when the vehicle brake pedal is pressed. This wire can be found at the switch located on the brake pedal linkage.
(-) Starter Kill/Armed Output
The (-) Starter Kill/Armed Output wire is a negative output to control an external Starter Kill relay. The Starter Kill/Armed Output connects to Pin 86 of the pre wired Starter Kill relay harness. When using the pre-wired harness with the supplied 30 Amp relay the connections are as follows:
Pin 85 To Vehicle ignition wire (shows 12 volts in crank & run)
Pin 86 Yellow (-) Starter Kill wire
Pin 30 To one side of cut vehicle starter wire
Pin 87a To other side of the cut vehicle starter wire
The (-) Starter Kill/Armed Output Wire is also used to activate a factory security system bypass module. This is required on some newer vehicles with factory starter disable systems.
TYPICAL STARTER KILL WIRING USING THE COMMANDO 3 WIRE STARTER KILL HARNESS (Available from Commando)
(-) Hood Pin Switch
Connect this wire to the supplied Hood Pin Switch or the factory hood pin switch if available. When the hood of the vehicle is open the switch provides a ground and will not let the vehicle start. If the vehicle is already running in auto start mode and the hood is open the engine will stop immediately unless the ignition is in the run position with the key. The (-) Hood Pin Switch wire must be installed with the Hood Pin Switch. Failure to install this could result in serious injury.
Note: The hood pin switch input wire from the Commando system should see a ground when the hood is in the raised position.
(-) Door Input
Test the polarity of the door pin switch circuit. If it is negative when the door is open connect the (-) Door Input wire from the Commando system.
(+) Door Input
Test the polarity of the door pin switch circuit. If it is positive when the door is open connect the (+) Door Input wire from the Commando system.
Door Input Note: The vehicle door pin switch wire that you choose must see all the doors. Some newer GM cars do not have door pin switches. On these vehicles the dome light turns on when the door handle is lifted. The wire for the Door Input will usually be a blue/white or white wire coming from the door into the kick panel. This wire will provide a negative trigger for all doors.
Most Ford vehicles require a (+) Door Input.
(-) Factory Disarm
The Factory Disarm wire provides a negative pulse to disarm a factory alarm system. Most factory installed security systems can be disarmed by turning the key in the driver's door to the unlock position. In these cases there will be a wire coming from the door that can be pulsed to shut the security system down and allow the vehicle to start without tripping the factory alarm system, this wire can usually be located in the drivers side kick panel.(-) Tach/Spark Sense
The Tach/Spark Sense wire provides the system with the vehicle's engine revolutions per minute (RPMs). It should be connected to the negative side of the coil in vehicles with conventional coils. In vehicles with multi-coil ignition system this wire can be connected to an individual coil wire, engine computer, the back of the tachometer in some vehicles or may be connected to a fuel injector control wire. When using the Tach/Spark Sense wire be sure to turn the dip switch on the remote starter main module to Tach/Spark Sense.
To find the vehicles tachometer wire with a multimeter follow these steps:
WARNING! Never use a test light or logic probe to test for the tachometer wire. Vehicle damage may occur.
LED Status Indicator
Connect the LED Status Indicator to the small two-pin socket on the main module. Refer to Component Location Tips for Installation advice.
Override Switch
Connect the Override Program Switch to larger two-pin socket on the main module. Refer to Component Location Tips for Installation advice.
Shock Sensor
Connect the Shock Sensor to the small four or five pin socket on the main module. Refer to Component Location Tips for Installation advice.
Door Lock/Unlock Wires
Once you have determined what type of door locks your vehicle has, refer to the door lock information listed in the manual or visit our Relay Center on the Tech page for proper wiring.
(-) Auxiliary Output (Trunk)
The (-) Auxiliary Output wire is most commonly used to operate the trunk/hatch release. Connect this wire to the Switched Trunk Release Wire of the vehicle. A 30 Amp BOCSH type relay may be required for high current operations. See diagram below.
TYPICAL TRUNK/HATCH RELEASE WIRING
USING A 30 AMP RELAY
Use this guide with our online installation manuals listed below.