Aftermarket Keyless Entry-- Ambiguous instructions and Zero Mfg Tech support!

I just got an Avital 2101L keyless entry kit from Radio Shack online..... It's fairly sophisticated and complex and is made to adapt to a wide variety of cars....

My problem with this kit is that it needs to explain the function, limitations, and necessity of each wire so a person can determine which ones to use and where to connect them....
Unfortunately, the company that makes this system includes an installation guide that is, at best, ambiguous, regarding the wiring scheme AND their customer support REFUSES TO TALK TO ANYBODY THAT IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER!
After years of UN-installing alarm systems that had the electrical SCREWED UP in NUMEROUS VEHICLES...... I'm not inclined to go the professional installer route.....
I'm hoping that somebody here can help me fully understand this system......
Otherwise, I'm gonna return the system UNINSTALLED to Radio Shack and explain that the installation guide is inadequate and that the Mfg doesnt support their products.
Directed Electronics also makes Viper Alarms and has the same requirement of "Professional installation" for ALL their products!

Maybe if you scanned/posted the documentation we could help. Otherwise, yeah, go buy something else. ProStart has pretty good documentation and adds remote start to keyless entry. AudioVox is pretty good too and adds an alarm system to keyless entry.

That said, I don't think anybody will tell you exactly which wire connects to which wire for every car on the market. You will need a wiring diagram (FSM) for the Roadmaster and make your own cross-reference chart specific to your planned installation based on the description of what each wire is for.

A few years ago now, I had good luck with Bulldog Security.. Their instructions were well laid out and the wiring diagrams were helpful. I can't say if they're state of the art, but I had good luck with them.

I had already done full diagnosis on the original factory keyless entry module and wiring using the FSM for reference, so I knew exactly what functions an aftermarket replacement system needed to perform, and how!
I returned this system to Radio Shack without trying to install it and I bought the Bulldog Security keyless entry kit instead.
I won't say that Bulldog's instructions were perfect either, but there was enough info that I was able to understand what the system offers and plan how to wire it into the car without having to consult Bulldog's extensive online help library or calling their tech support. The Bulldog system works great!

Recently installed the system from Bulldog. Was very straight forward. Power and ground, unlock and lock.

I bought one of those early keyless systems after giving up on my factory system.It went back unopened as soon as I saw the bundle of wires in the box.I cheated and watched the stereo shops ads for a sale and got a keyless entry/remote start system installed with a warranty for 180 bucks.That was 6 years ago and its still working great!

I thought about a remote start also but just went with the KE. My kids love it because they no longer have to stand in the rain waiting for me to unlock the doors.

The bundle of wires is there to scare people, I think. Only need to use about half of them.

94Woody wrote:

I thought about a remote start also but just went with the KE. My kids love it because they no longer have to stand in the rain waiting for me to unlock the doors.

The bundle of wires is there to scare people, I think. Only need to use about half of them.

The remote start feature was a bonus that I didnt really care about but it sure has come in handy since.

The system I got doesnt include remote start, but it included a starter disable relay which I had no interest in hooking up..... I modified the relay plug and used it to reverse the polarity of the trunk release trigger wire so it would operate the rear hatch solenoid..... I have not yet figured out how to get a proper negative output to operate the dome lights, and don't really much care...

Same setup I bought. Bought a Relay to go with it to open the rear glass.

Will mod the Disable Relay to flash the lights at a later date.