GS400Dub1

Here we go about false sense of security. 1st let me tell you where I come from to say anything about this subject of security. I work at an upscale automotive stereo shop and alarm retailer located in Westminster, Ca. We service and upgrade many Lexus' that have been sold to customers through our account with Lexus of Westminster. And I'm a proud owner of a 2000 GS400. Auto Lock is probably one of the best "Lock" for your vehicle but it's not unstoppable. The metal on the pedal assembly is not the toughest metal in the vehicle as advertised in their commercial. A nice cordless rotary saw will make it useless. The visibility is not so much a good thing when a thief has disabled one previously and knows they can disable yours. Lo Jack is definitely a step above as the thief will not know its in your vehicle (unless ofcourse you like advertising your "secret" weapon with a sticker on your glass) But their's a misconception about this product. It will not help you if the car is stolen at 4AM and you realize its gone at 9AM when you walk out to your driveway. You have to notify Lo Jack that your car is missing and by then its been stripped apart with no power being fed to the brain because they've removed the battery as well. A trained thief can strip your car down in less than 1 hour. TeleTrack on the other hand will notify you if your car is being tampered with. Its like having 24 hour serveillance on the vehicle 365 days a year. We also carry a relatively new but ingenius alarm called the Aladdin 2000 by TeleVideo. It has 2 way communication with the vehicle with a LCD display on the remote to tell you what zone is being violated. The great part is that this alarm has a 1/4 mile to 1/2 a mile range. If you'd like to learn more call us at the Autosound Specialists (714) 891-8779. Our hours are M-Sat 10am-7pm Pacific. If you'd like to see my car check out zippmedia.com Its the white GS400 dumped on 21's. e-mail

nanotech

iTrader: (2)

is that the color lcd pager alarm system that sells on ebay a lot?

GS400Dub1

I'm not sure if it's being sold in ebay but it is advertised in the newer issues of Super Street and some other mags. The factory security on Lexus' are great but could be better. Plus they're not very convenient to use. On average, the transmitter doen't work beyong 10 to 15 yard. I've got my Alpine SEC-8063 to start my engine, roll my windows up, roll my windows down, pop my trunk, and pop the gas lid. The Aladdin can do most of those features plus it has a turbo timer built in, temperature sensing remote start and more.

nanotech

iTrader: (2)

Basically, I love gadgets and tricks.

I would love to install a remote starter with a color lcd pager and pop this open and pop that open, etc, etc.

BUT, I don't want to mess around too much with my car, that's why I still just have the stock alarm system.

I don't know how my insurance would like an aftermarket one.

And I don't really even need an alarm for security reasons, its pretty safe around here, I just like it for its conveneince of locking/unlocking doors, trunk, windows up/down, (all of which the factory alarm has), but the gas lid opener, remote starter, and color lcd pager are nice too.

GS400Dub1

Imagine this... Safe areas tend to have better cars, thieves are always looking out for better cars, the insurance companies love things with a lifetime warranty. Parts and labor. And we're Lexus pros. I've got a GS400, my manager's got a RX300, and our owner's got an ES300. Plus we've worked on plenty of IS', new SC430's and LS430's. It does take some time to install a complicated alarm into a Lexus but worth it. When was the last time your factory alarm went off because somebody was trying to rip off your wheels or, in some other way, jolted the vehicle? Ever hear of an impact sensor? Almost every aftermarket alarms' got one. Our work is even covered under factory warranty.

concepts

On your remote start, which wire did you use to interface the tilt down on the steering wheel (do you have memory?)

GS400Dub1

Seat, steering wheel, and mirror memory works with a push of the button on the door and the steering wheel retains entry/exit position until you insert the key. Everything remains factory except when the vehicle has been remotely started. Than you must get in and press the memory button for the steering column to engage.

concepts

Ok, thats what I thought. I guess you didnt interface the steering wheel to come down then when the car remote starts. There should be no need to press any buttons after insertion of the key to have the steering wheel come down to the driving position.

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

why should the steering come down when the car remote starts? When you're not in the car, the steering column should stay at the retracted position.

Like what he said, everything remains like stock except the engine is started. Which is cool.

concepts

Well, if you were the last person to drive the car and the memory position is already in YOUR seating position, why would you want to:

1. Insert the key into the ignition
2. Wait 5 seconds
3. Then press the memory button the door to get the steering wheel to come down (which takes time again before you can drive) -- when

a. The seats and mirrors are already where they should be
b. All you want is the steering wheel to come down.

In an ideal situation, the car would remote start and then the steering wheel would come down --- so once you get in, you insert the key and then you will be ready to drive right away. NO WAITING.

GS400Dub1

Ok... what you're not realizing is that the remote start system is initialized by sending a 12V signal to the starter with power given to the accessory wire. (basically hot wiring a car) Oops... did I say too much for those would be thieves? Anyway... the steering wheel is not activated by sending 12V to the accessorie wire or the starter wire. It is only activated when the key is inserted into the ignition, therefore when I remote start my vehicle, the steering column is still in the entry/exit position. And you don't have to wait 5 sec. after you get in to press the memory button. It's not as inconvenient as you think. As a matter of fact I'll bet I'm a lot more comfortable than most by just warming up my engine in the morning while I get ready for work. Or cooling down my interior before I fry my butt on the scorching seats. You've gotta get this done. But don't come crying to us when you get your car fried by those Good Guys or Al & Ed variety chain stores. Remember to check an make sure they've done this on some Lexus' before. If not call us. Send me an email and I'll be more than happy to provide our number.

concepts

Actually, I am a security installer.

The steering wheel column is activated by a pulse to a 3 wire harness which will tilt it down, you need to trick the car into thinking it has a key in the ignition so when you remote start, it will come down and remain down when you go in to put your car in drive.

There is no need to press the memory function once you get in the car, wouldn't it be great if you just got in and put it in drive just like a 'non lexus' remote start car instead of having to press the memory button to bring the steering wheel column down?

Your seat is already in the right position already since you were the last person to drive the car.

concepts

Also, on the subject of LOJACK.

I personally know the lojack recovery people that used to work with the police in our area. I also bump into the Lojack Installers when I go expedite at dealerships. The LoJack system is a independent system. It does not get it's power from the car's battery. (BTW: I do not work for Lojack). The system actually works off a battery backup system and the backup battery is diode isolated form the main car so it will charge but the car will not drain the battery backup.

Also on the LOJACK checklist is where the installer put the battery backup. It is up to EACH LOJACK installer where they will hide the module and the battery backup. It is never placed in one place, unless you have the same installer working in a car over and over. When they finish, they will note on their worksheet where they placed the battery backup and module in case in the future the car needs service from LoJack. The only way the system will fail is if the battery backup goes bad (which will happen in a few years because the battery will not charge and discharge over and over without some side effects - its not like they are using lithium batteries or something). It does not work off the main battery as you may think, disconnecting the battery of the car actually puts the unit into 'alert' mode.

Unfortunately, there are a lazy installers. They sometimes tap off rear dome light wires, etc. So when the fuses for those accessories blow and is not replaced, there is a possibility that the battery may not continue to charge until the fuse is replaced.

GS400Dub1

The reason I emphasized "entry/exit" on the steering column is because the only reason the steering column moves up and away after you pull the key out is to ease entry and exit into and from the vehicle. Why would anyone want to delete this convenient feature provided by Lexus by tricking it to thinking the key is in the ignition, before you actually sit inside? Also when I said that the Lo Jack unit would not receive power, I meant to say that it would probably be located in the time between its actual theft and being reported that it would have been disarmed/disconnected. TeleTrack is far more superior in design and concept. They will notify you if any zones are violated.