Installing a Remote Start on a '99 Toyota 4Runner

[maverick906]

My friend has a 1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited and he wants to install a remote start system on it. I think the kit he got was a Python that had an alarm system with the remote start but I thought the Limited 4Runners came with a factory installed alarm system that's part of his keyless entry so he just wants to install the remote start system. Am I mistaken that the limited 4Runners have a factory alarm installed?

He doesn't know anything about alarm systems or wiring anything up and the quotes he got from car audio businesses were from $200-$300. So, I installed a Bulldog Remote Start unit on my Jeep a while back so I am going to try to hook up his remote start as well to save him some money.

My question is if any of you guys have a wiring schematic or diagram so I would know what each wire is. I haven't checked his manual to see if there are any wiring diagrams in it because I haven't had the chance to look so if anyone knows if the wiring is listed in the manual it would be helpful if you would tell me.

Also, if anyone has any other information that would help me install the remote start on the 4Runner like maybe a How-to article that would be helpful. I know working on a Jeep is way easier than working on a Toyota so I need all the help I can get. I am sure it will be a pain just trying to get the panel under the steering wheel off so I can get to the wires.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Elton H]

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/alarmdetail/2028.html

 

[maverick906]

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/alarmdetail/2028.html

Thanks for posting the link to that website. That will be helpful when installing the remote start.

I noticed when looking at the Python website that they do not have any instruction guides or any installation help at all. My Bulldog security remote start came with general instructions for installation but that Python doesn't seem come with any instructions at all.

Does anyone know where I might find some general instructions for installing a remote start in a Toyota 4Runner?

 

[bgmac]

Thanks for posting the link to that website. That will be helpful when installing the remote start.

I noticed when looking at the Python website that they do not have any instruction guides or any installation help at all. My Bulldog security remote start came with general instructions for installation but that Python doesn't seem come with any instructions at all.

Does anyone know where I might find some general instructions for installing a remote start in a Toyota 4Runner?

Python doesn't post instructions because they only want there product to be professionally installed. I have a Python remote start in my 4Runner. It was installed at the time of purchase by the retail store.

 

[maverick906]

Python doesn't post instructions because they only want there product to be professionally installed. I have a Python remote start in my 4Runner. It was installed at the time of purchase by the retail store.

Well that's not right that they can purposely not include instructions with their products just to try to force people to pay a lot of money to get it professionally installed.

I don't let any repairman or technician touch my vehicles because of the fear that they will screw something up while working on it and then say it's not their fault and make me pay more money to fix it when if they just fixed it right the first time I wouldn't have the problem. It happened to me at least four different occasions before I vowed to do all the repair/technical work on my vehicles myself because I know I'll do the job right. It's so hard to find an honest repairman these days.

Anyways, back to the topic at hand. So no one else has any input on installing a remote start on a 4Runner? I can't believe I haven't gotten more replies by now. I guess I'm just used to jeepforum.com where at any given time there are about 1000 people online waiting to answer your questions or ask for help. But 4Runner's are pretty popular, I can't believe I'm not getting more help than I am. I had to leave toyotanation.com because there was nobody ever on the forums to help with my questions. Is 4Runner.org the same way?

 

[juiceboxer]

Well that's not right that they can purposely not include instructions with their products just to try to force people to pay a lot of money to get it professionally installed.

They don't want someone who thinks they can do it to screw it up and then go on a forum and talk :toilet: on their company.

I agree with you though, I don't trust other "professionals" with my vehicle. I do it all myself. I installed my Viper 5901 remote start/alarm into my 01' limited, it isn't for the meek. Unless you are comfortable cutting factory ECU and ignition wires, do not do this mod.

Also there is a chance he may need a bypass for his ignition. My key had a chip in it that will only let the vehicle fire when that chip is recognized. If he has a chipped key the remote start will crank the motor but it will not fire. Some people just leave a key in a special box inside the car to bypass this, I feel this is not smart in more ways than one. I used a programable box that stores the code and only activates with the remote start.

The factory alar in the 4Runner is useless, all it does is monitor door pins. The shock sensor is not adjustable, and you don't have the option of a tilt sensor, glass break sensor, Near-Field sensor, and countless other goodies. I would suggest installing the alarm part as well. Plus the factory alarm arms upon locking the doors it will not have to be bypassed.

I will post with more info if you would like, My fingers are tired at the moment:wink2:

Also be patient, your post is only a day old, give it another day or two and others will chime in.

 

[bgmac]

One other thing I forgot to tell you, If you do install it yourself you void the warranty.

 

[maverick906]

They don't want someone who thinks they can do it to screw it up and then go on a forum and talk :toilet: on their company.

I agree with you though, I don't trust other "professionals" with my vehicle. I do it all myself. I installed my Viper 5901 remote start/alarm into my 01' limited, it isn't for the meek. Unless you are comfortable cutting factory ECU and ignition wires, do not do this mod.

Also there is a chance he may need a bypass for his ignition. My key had a chip in it that will only let the vehicle fire when that chip is recognized. If he has a chipped key the remote start will crank the motor but it will not fire. Some people just leave a key in a special box inside the car to bypass this, I feel this is not smart in more ways than one. I used a programable box that stores the code and only activates with the remote start.

The factory alar in the 4Runner is useless, all it does is monitor door pins. The shock sensor is not adjustable, and you don't have the option of a tilt sensor, glass break sensor, Near-Field sensor, and countless other goodies. I would suggest installing the alarm part as well. Plus the factory alarm arms upon locking the doors it will not have to be bypassed.

I will post with more info if you would like, My fingers are tired at the moment:wink2:

Also be patient, your post is only a day old, give it another day or two and others will chime in.

Well, I do need all the help I can get. Like I said earlier, I have already installed a remote start and a alarm system in my Jeep and it did take a lot of work. And working on a Jeep is by far the easiest vehicle to work on so I can just imagine how big of a job it will be to work on a Toyota. And my remote start and alarm system came with instructions. I can't even imagine installing a sophisticated security system with no instructions and nothing to reference.

I know when I work on my '93 Toyota Pick-Up is a major pain. When I installed new speakers in the truck I had to take apart half of the dash and glove box just to get to the speakers. In a Jeep replacing the speakers just takes a phillips head screwdriver for the two screws holding the speaker cover on.

I would like to know more on the bypass on the ignition if his key has a chip in it. Where do you get the programmable box for the bypass? And how can I tell if his key has a chip in it? Whatever information you have on that would be great since I am kind of going at this blind. And since it's my friends only car I have to get it done in a couple days tops so if I screw something up by cutting the wrong wire then I could be in a big mess.

If I didn't have that website with the '99 4Runner ignition wiring guide that the first guy who responded linked for me I would have to painstakingly test each individual wire to find out which wire is which. What if I bought one of those Haynes Repair Manuals to help me install the remote start system? It should have the information and pictures identifying each wire on a 4Runner right?

 

[maverick906]

One other thing I forgot to tell you, If you do install it yourself you void the warranty.

That's not fair that they can do that but I can see why they have that policy.

What do you guys think would happen if I called the company and asked for the instruction manual for the specific kit my friend bought. They couldn't just refuse to give me that information could they?

I mean, I can see how they can say if I or someone else installs the kit and isn't an authorized alarm installer then they can void the warranty. But outright refusing to supply installation instructions forcing a person to spend 100's of dollars to professionally install it kind of seems against the law doesn't it?

 

[bgmac]

Here's the number 1-800-477-1371
I actually have to call them myself and ask them why my parking lights stopped turning on when the remote start is initially activated. My dilemma is that my fiance had it installed last year for my b-day at Circuit City. So its not like I can just take my vehicle in and say fix it.

 

[juiceboxer]

If you can gat the model of the remote start I can most likely find you an Install guide.

As for the ignition bypass if his ignition has a black plastic ring around it that says Toyota Security System on it,he has a chip in the key, the fact that it is a limited means that he more than likely has it.

Let me know if it is there and I will get you info on the bypass.

 

[maverick906]

If you can gat the model of the remote start I can most likely find you an Install guide.

As for the ignition bypass if his ignition has a black plastic ring around it that says Toyota Security System on it,he has a chip in the key, the fact that it is a limited means that he more than likely has it.

Let me know if it is there and I will get you info on the bypass.

Wow if you can get me an install guide for his security/remote start system then I would owe you big time. My friend said his model is the Python 872.

I will have to find out about the ignition bypass. And where exactly is the black plastic ring supposed to be on the ignition? I think Toyota's have the light up ring first around the ignition so are you talking about around the light up ring is the black plastic ring that says Toyota Security System?

 

[maverick906]

Well, I just found out he has the Toyota Security System on the black ring around the ignition so he will need the ignition bypass box. Would he have to buy that separate from the security system or does the security system come with a programmable box for that reason.

 

[maverick906]

Here's the number 1-800-477-1371
I actually have to call them myself and ask them why my parking lights stopped turning on when the remote start is initially activated. My dilemma is that my fiance had it installed last year for my b-day at Circuit City. So its not like I can just take my vehicle in and say fix it.

So did you actually call Python security systems? That's the number I need to call to try to get installation instructions?

 

[theizzardking]

Well, I just found out he has the Toyota Security System on the black ring around the ignition so he will need the ignition bypass box. Would he have to buy that separate from the security system or does the security system come with a programmable box for that reason.

might want to check that out, i really don;t think my '99 limited has a chip in the key, i have a plain steel one that works just fine. so no chip in that one for sure and it works.....sooooo don;t know what to tell you about that, what you should really do is go to the dealership and ask for a build sheet give 'em your vin and they'll print out every single little option your truck came with, it maybe easier to figure out if you have that, might be under security upgrade class XX or something to that effect.

 

[maverick906]

Is this the exact transponder immobilizer bypass kit that I need for a 1999 Toyota 4Runner?

http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=1086

 

[juiceboxer]

might want to check that out, i really don;t think my '99 limited has a chip in the key, i have a plain steel one that works just fine. so no chip in that one for sure and it works.....sooooo don;t know what to tell you about that, what you should really do is go to the dealership and ask for a build sheet give 'em your vin and they'll print out every single little option your truck came with, it maybe easier to figure out if you have that, might be under security upgrade class XX or something to that effect.

Some 99's have it and some don't, I am almost positive if it has that ring it's chipped.

Install Guide
^ that is a link to the install guide for a Viper 5701, it is the same brain, with the same remotes, made by the same company, except for the fact that one says Viper and the other Python they are identical.


The bypass box I used is DEI part number PKALL click me there is a link to the install guide for a 4runner on that page as well, it includes the proper wiring colors and such. Froogle search it and you should be able to find it pretty cheap. The bypass you posted requires more wires to be spliced, I would use the PKALL, plus it is more common, making it cheaper.

 

[jcrawford999]

I had a Python installed on my '98 at a professional shop. It cost around $500 including installation. I decided to rip out the alarm that came with the 4Runner before allowing the shop to install their system. I figured 2 alarm systems in the same car may cause trouble down the road.

My wife and I love the Python. It claims to have a mile range but in the city, we get about a 1/4 mile which is sufficent of rour needs.

 

[maverick906]

Some 99's have it and some don't, I am almost positive if it has that ring it's chipped.

Install Guide
^ that is a link to the install guide for a Viper 5701, it is the same brain, with the same remotes, made by the same company, except for the fact that one says Viper and the other Python they are identical.

Thanks for the installation manual. Will the wires and wire colors be the same as what's stated in the manual? I am sorry if that's a stupid question but I only had time to glance at the manual before posting this.

The bypass box I used is DEI part number PKALL click me there is a link to the install guide for a 4runner on that page as well, it includes the proper wiring colors and such. Froogle search it and you should be able to find it pretty cheap. The bypass you posted requires more wires to be spliced, I would use the PKALL, plus it is more common, making it cheaper.

The installation guide given in the link for the bypass box says it's for only lexus models. Will it work for a 4Runner as well?

 

[maverick906]

Is this the exact transponder immobilizer bypass kit that I need for a 1999 Toyota 4Runner?

http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=1086