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I've actually posted a few more details on this problem I've been having in the main Kia Sorento forum, but I figured I'd drop a line to the Philippines guys, since you might have similar experiences, at least we can compare.
When I bought my Sorento here (CRDi LX), it did not come with an alarm system. None of the Kia dealers I spoke with had any alarm systems for sale, though they said I could easily install an aftermarket alarm.
I did just that, bought an AutoPage RF310 and had it installed by the same guys I bought it from. Pretty standard installation, I suppose. Except now my door lock actuators are failing, and Kia (Columbia) are saying it's because of the aftermarket alarm, and because it's wired to the central locking system, which it shouldn't be, at least according to them.
(If you want more details, you can check out my post in the Kia Sorento forum, under the topic heading "Problem with lock rotor, I think".)
My questions are:
- Have any of you guys bought alarm systems from Kia? Are they even available?
- Did any of the dealers warn you about not wiring any aftermarket alarms to the central locking system?
- For those of you who bought aftermarket alarm systems, who installed them -- the shop you bought it from, or your Kia dealer?
- If you know the details of the installation, would you know whether it was wired directly to the central locking system, or if they had to find another way to wire it?
- Any problems so far with any of your aftermarket alarms?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give. Much appreciated.
Would you be able to give me a few more details on the install? If in fact the guy who did mine screwed up, he sure isn't owning up to it, so I need to find out the facts so I can hit him with the info.
- does your car alarm have a shock sensor?
- does it have a car page function?
- does it include automatic release of the rear glass hatch? some of the info I've come across suggests that this might cause some problems, since there's a separate module for the hatch
- finally, would you know if it is wired directly to the central locking system, and/or to the ETACS? the guys at Columbia said you "can install an alarm, but not through the central locking system, as it has its own timer", ergo, you can have an alarm but not with a remote lock/unlock function (which isn't very convenient, if you ask me); someone else at Kia said the alarm was sending wrong inputs to the ETACS, or something like that
You looking to install a car alarm as well? How long have you had your Sorento?
Just in case, my alarm is an AutoPage RF-310, I got it at LA Car Accessories, along St. Paul, just off of Buendia. Cost P3,700 including the installation.
I'm going back there this afternoon to have a talk with the owner, am trying to find out how they really installed it, and see if they might have messed it up. In the meantime, I'm also waiting for Kia themselves (Columbia Motors) to give me a proper answer on how to wire the alarm, since they told me the other day they're "still studying" how to.
mtmkia --
Would be curious to know also who did your installation. Is the technician someone who really knows his stuff, you think, or just someone who knows how to read a chart and strip and solder wires? I really need to get a proper, objective opinion on what happened with my alarm and my car.
I got my car last May 2005. Soon, I will be in the market for an alarm system as the car has been running well so far. I am taking my sweet time before installing one as I am afraid the dealer might use it as an excuse in voiding warranty.
Mannix has all the functions you mentioned. I got this from Goldrich which is our car accessory partner here in Kia Motors Quezon Avenue. SRP is around 14k. According to the goldrich installer, the installation requires for it to be tapped to the central locking system and other engine parts (for remote start) but not the computer box.
Your problem is the second case I've encountered. The first case was also a Sorento with an Alien alarm installed. All the actuators were replaced. We are also studying this rare case very carefully. Some Sorento owners who have installed car alarms haven't reported any problem so far.
From a dealer's stand point, please remember that installing any after-market product (alarm, bulbs, etc.) that may affect the efficiency or performance of the car voids the warranty of the particular system it affects.
From a consumer's stand point, I understand your situation. Rest assured that we will look into this matter.
Hyundai Mobis, which is the certified parts and accessory manufacturer of Kia has an alarm system similar to the Mannix Alarm but it costs the same which is 4 to 5 times more expensive than regular alarms.
From a dealer's stand point, please remember that installing any after-market product (alarm, bulbs, etc.) that may affect the efficiency or performance of the car voids the warranty of the particular system it affects.
From a consumer's stand point, I understand your situation. Rest assured that we will look into this matter.
Thanks, mtmkia.
I've also written Kia Global about this, to see what they have to say. Unfortunately, I got conflicting reports from Columbia on what exactly was "wrong" with how the alarm was connected.
I understand the dealer's standpoint as well, but my argument to Columbia and Kia Global is that, in my opinion, the alarm is a necessity in some places where I end up driving to and parking, but when I asked several dealers if they had keyless entry/alarms available, they said they couldn't offer it, so I'd have to go aftermarket.
Also, as others have pointed out, and as I'm familiar with from having dealt with other dealers, they of course won't recommend aftermarket accessories and warn you that it might void the warranty (blanket statement), but if what Columbia said is true (when they diagnosed my unit, they said outright that Kia specifically warns against installing alarms in the Sorento because of the electronics, some kind of known incompatibility, the said), then I would've expected an explicit warning like that when I asked at the dealers, instead of a recommendation to buy alarms at other places.
Again, thanks, and would really appreciate you keeping us posted on this problem. I've asked Kia Pasay as well as Kia Cebu to continue looking into it as well, but the more people who are checking it out, the better.
What happened to that guy whose actuators all had to be replaced? Did he have to pay for it all? I'd feel bad for him if he did, knowing also that he didn't have any option but to go aftermarket, because of the lack of accessories currently available here in the Philippines.
Columbian Motors has just released a memo regarding this incident. We have been furnished a copy of the electrical diagram to be used in installing alarms. As for us, we are already making sure that customers are well informed before accomodating their requests for installation of any after market product. For me, proper installation is the real key in installing after market products.
With regards to the other incident, the owner did not pay for everything. I absorbed some of the cost.
By the way, I am currently importing some sorento accessories from the US. Anyone who is interested can visit us Mondays to Satudays , 8am-5pm.
Now they release the memo, but up until the other day, when I called up the dealers to ask around, I was still getting a "no alarms here, sir, but you can go aftermarket", but they don't specifically warn about the "somehow unique" (Columbian used that description in a letter to me yesterday) electrical system.
And the other day, when my car was at the plant, they were saying they couldn't install it, the were "still studying it".
That's what really gets me -- all this conflicting information, all this finger-pointing, and at the end of the day, I still don't get an "I'm sorry for your inconvenience" from Columbian or an offer to pay for some of the cost or whatever (I think what you did, mtmkia, was more than just about the money, it just shows an interest in the customer's satisfaction), instead I get an "it's your fault" letter, even though I keep reiterating I didn't get all the information I needed when I asked around about installing alarms.
They haven't even offered to come with me to the alarm guy to show him how it should've been done. Without these guys to back me up and show proof (like an electrical diagram, whatever settings, etc), of course the alarm guy is going to say he didn't mess up, so that I can't claim the damages against him.
While the 7.5k I had to pay for that one actuator sucked, what pissing me off even more is Columbian's (and even Kia Global's) attitude -- indifferent, apathetic, unapologetic, and aggravating. It's like, "you're on your own, dude".
Am still fighting Columbian and Global on this, as they have not been able to give me any straight answers. They seemed to be more concerned with who was at fault; they didn't care that I had to lose time at work, had to drive back and forth from dealer service center to plant and then to the alarm guy and then service center again, and this was just to "argue" what had caused it, never mind that the longer they drew this out, the more inconvenient it was for me.
Good customer service would have been, let's diagnose it, we're the plant and we know for sure what's wrong, so let's document it beyond a shadow of a doubt (for purposes of deciding warranty claim, or who pays, later on), and then let's fix it right away so our customer can get his car back. Instead, I got yanked around for almost three days. pissing me off.
Sorry for the rant, but I also got yanked around while trying to buy my Sorento as well, so my experience with Kia as a company hasn't been good at all. Love the car, but I told Columbian and Kia Global that something really needs to be done about the dealer processes and attitudes here in the Philippines. No offense, mtmkia.
On another note, what accessories are you bringing in?
Linear Mode
