great useful mod!
Was searching and need to dig this thread up once again... Plan on doing this very soon and wondered if its really required to kill the battery power to the whole car? Just trying to avoice the loss of stereo memory. And once you kill the power, isn't there a special procedure the next time you start the car up; seem to recall it having to go through a "re-learning process" or something. So, is this really even needed if I'm just removing a carpetted panel and pulling an antenna out???
Ok, just did this "mod" this eve. Hard to call it a mod though as it's super-ridiculously-major-way-easy!!! Don't kill the power, just unscrew the 6 bolts, pull the cover, pull out the antena wire gently (should be pretty obvious which wire if you view the pics in this thread), extend the wire out, and then re-install the cover. I had the entire "procedure" done in less than 4 minutes. QUITE WONDERING AND DO IT ALREADY!
just did it and it works like a charm and it only took about 15 mins. i would like to EXTEND my thanks to all that helped
HUGE difference in remote range! I can even go through walls now! Before mod- 8 feet. After at least 40++ feet. Total time : 5 minutes. Unscrewed 4 phillips screws, slide panel out, locate red wire & fish out between componets (bent piece of wire with a hook on it). No need to remove anything - wire will slide right out (make sure you do not pull the connected end of wire, you can tell when you guide it out which side is free). I did not turn off battery switch, not a bad idea to turn off if you have any aprehension of shorting anything out. Everyone can do this, its a breeze. Chris
Bump for a cool thread. BTW, can you disconnect the Vehicle Immobilizer box in this pic and deactivate it? I get annoyed with the immobilizer and would love to turn it off...
Another happy customer here! Just tried this mod this morning and it works just as described. Took about 1/2 an hour and didn't have to remove the alarm panel, just loosened the bolts and then I was able to fish out the wire with my fingers. Thanks guys! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
For me it was exactly as yours, but on my 360 spider the antenna wire was black and yellow. Many thanks to all here
I just tried this mod on my 2000 year model 360 Modena. It's was first registered in Germany but is now in Italy. The alarm module is where it's supposed to be, but there is nothing that looks like an antenna wire free at one end. There are two medium sized connectors on the side of the alarm module, but they contain quite a few wires each and all of them disappear behind the fuse boxes and none of them appear to be loose. After poking around for a while I gave up and resigned myself to using the remote key fob at short ranges.
I know this is an old Thread, but I did not see any references to how to do the range extention with the 550/575 alarms. I can see that it is the same problem, probably the exact same components. Any quick ideas about where this module and the sandwiched antenna is on the 575, and has anyone tried it?
If the exploded view of your car's components is like post 11 in this thread I would say give it a try. I did my 360 this weekend. Remarkable difference! My suggestion is remove cover and use a small flashlight to look into area of concern to see if you have the bright red wire as shown on some of the pictures here. I used forceps to gently pull mine free and re-route. I didn't disable power. (It did feel like a game of "Operation", but probably unwarranted) Worked best for me from drivers side with left knee on floor behind seat and other foot on ground, left elbow and forearm supporting from console, working upside down with small flashlight in left hand and large forceps in right. 15 second job from this position! I wont tell you about the 30 minutes I wasted trying to use an inspection mirror and plastic pic tool while sitting on the drivers door jamb! ooops, I just did!
I see a triangular shaped panel on the parts diagram. Where this is I would have no clue. Doesn't look like its under a metal panel like the 360 to block the transmission though.. . Try posting this on the 550/575 group. They'll know.
I have a 99 and I believe the battery is behind that cover at the rear of the drivers seat. Where is my alarm box (under the dash on the driver side? Thanks Alan
