FAQs

Home  >  FAQ

Q1: Most cars have factory immobilization and even alarms. Why do I need a security system from KIRAMEK?

Factory immobilizers deter amateur thieves. Even factory alarms are very basic and well documented such that an experienced car thief need only snip a known wire or remove a fuse to defeat it.  Suffice it to say, a professional who wants your car will be able to bypass factory security measures and drive away with it. The sad reality is that factory anti-theft systems generate a false sense of security rather than truly protect your car, and factory systems do little to nothing to protect things inside your car.

The solution is to "layer" your factory alarm/immobilizer with another electronic security device, even if that device you add is little more than a second immobilizer. Mechanical steering wheel locks are better than nothing, but they are heavy and troublesome to use and they too can be quickly defeated, which is why we recommend an electronic security system. Aftermarket car security systems like VISION & SCIBORG offer a complex set of features and sensors that make it much more difficult for a thief to defeat, especially when layered with your factory security.  "Time to defeat" means everything.

Four Reasons VISION (& SCIBORG) Car Security Systems Can Protect Your Car:

  1. Even the newest cars with modern factory anti-theft systems are not stopping thieves from bypassing those systems. Relay Attacks, Code Grabbers, CAN Invader and Game Boy attacks are some examples of how thieves continue to get around your car's factory security systems. VISION security has a proven track record of making thieves move on to a less protected vehicle.

  2. Remote start manufacturers have "factory security bypass modules" that thieves have access to.  There is no module that can bypass a VISION security system.

  3. Factory security typically doesn't protect your vehicle against vandalism, doesn't alert you of threats, doesn't offer compatibility with remote starters or turbo timers, and doesn't offer numerous convenience features that come standard on VISION security systems.

  4. Unlike factory alarms, VISION offers systems with a battery backup siren to keep the security system blaring even if the thief disconnects car battery power. Options like a radar sensor puts a field around your vehicle to warn away would-be thieves before they even touch your car.

Q2: Car alarms are obnoxious. Don't VISION systems make a lot of noise too?

Actually, no.  Most competing "car alarms" are little more than the noise-makers everybody hates. We hate them too. That's why we engineered VISION security to limit the use of a noise making siren or eliminate it altogether. All VISION systems offer a Silent Mode that when coupled with one of our 2-way paging remotes, allows you to silently keep an eye on your vehicle without any noise siren blasting.

Most competing car security products rely on inferior shock sensor technology that causes the siren to blast when it shouldn't. VISION solves the problem of false alarms with its innovative Active-IR shock sensor technology. What about multi-level parking or parking near to a construction site with jack-hammers? No problem. An easy-to-use Sensor Bypass feature disables only the shock sensor, while keeping other sensors like door, hood and trunk triggers active.

Q3: You're really saying VISION Active-IR shock sensors are THAT much better than other manufacturers?

Yes. It's hard to believe in light of all the bad shock sensor technology out there, but our 318-052 and 318-054 Active-IR sensors were design to detect shock yet eliminate false triggers. Active-IR sensors retain a high level of sensitivity yet intelligently discern between a motorcycle driving by and a genuine intrusion attempt.

But don't just take our word for it. We design VISION security for Japan, where consumers have some of the highest expectations in the world for products they buy.  Japanese customers are especially concerned with noise bothering neighbors, and some live in areas where noise is prohibited.  Yet, VISION security is highly regarded in Japan for the excellent performance of our shock sensors. In fact, a large number of car security buyers in Japan have switched from globally renown car security brands to VISION because VISION security systems just don't false alarm. When we say you will be surprised at the incredible stability of VISION sensors, satisfied customers in Japan back up our claims.

Q4: There are some big brand names among car security manufacturers in the U.S.  How does VISION compare?

It's often hard to "look beyond the brand" and break through marketing hype, especially if an alarm dealer in your local area or a good friend recommends a particular car security brand to you. But when you carefully compare features, quality and price, VISION is simply a better choice than other car security brands.  Having been designed in Japan for the Japanese market really does make a positive difference.

KIRAMEK has closely evaluated competing alarms through the years and engineered VISION systems to avoid making the same mistakes. In fact, our founders worked in the vehicle security aftermarket for many years importing and selling the "top" name-brand car security products from the United States. But the absence of much-needed technological innovation by those companies prompted us to pursue our own unique car security goals VISION products.

We know that most other popular car security brands achieved their status in the market due to (a) millions of dollars spent on advertising; (b) millions of dollars spent on product boxes, banners and logo designs; (c) millions of dollars spent on aggressive litigation against competitors; and (d) a never-ending stream of "product modifications" (which amount to "tiny feature changes"). VISION takes a more conservative approach in these areas while focusing on its core strengths -- making great security products that are simple enough for anyone to use, but without false alarms.

Our commitment is to provide you with user-friendly products that are more durable, are more trouble-free, and offer more value than anything from competitors. We confidently install VISION security systems in the cars we drive.  And we think you'll love VISION security like we do.

Q5: I can buy a cheap car alarm from China/AliExpress. What's the benefit to a VISION system?

Cost versus performance. Also, being designed in Japan.  Our zero-defect policy helps to ensure you won't have trouble after paying for a product and international shipping. "You get what you pay for" still applies today. Some cheap alarms may seem similar to VISION, but most are serious lacking in terms of product quality, features, sensor stability, and vehicle compatibility. Is that $19 alarm (with free shipping) from AliExpress really worth your time if it takes more than a month to be delivered to you and then stops working a year from now, false-triggering the siren often, and/or has vehicle incompatibilities or an undesirable feature set?

We strive to balance cost and performance in such a way that the customer obtain the greatest benefit. VISION products are more expensive than those AliExpress alarms (even after you pay those Chinese import tariffs), but we stand firmly behind our quality and performance for the price. You won't regret buying VISION security.

Q6: Do you offer discounts?

Yes, sometimes 50% or more to buyers outside Japan. To avoid undercutting our domestic dealers in Japan, we refrain from posting discounts on our website. We don't add sales tax on shipments outside Japan, but your country may charge a tax or tariff at the time of import.

Buying within Japan? Discounts are offered by local AutoBacs, Super AutoBacs, and AutoWave retail stores.  Some Yellow Hat retail stores and some car dealerships also offer VISION security and SCIBORG speed lock products.  

Buying outside Japan? Email us items you want to buy along with your country of residence for a no-obligation cost quote.

Q7: Do you have dealers in the United States? Do you sell direct?

We sell direct because we don't have dealers outside Japan.  (Bulk importer inquiries welcome.) Please email us for a price quote. With that said, we would prefer to sell direct only if you can obtain professional installation. We cannot assume liability for damage during installation, nor can we offer on-site support outside Japan. If you are willing to accept the risks of installing a security system yourself, then we would be happy to sell direct to you.

Q8: How do I place an order? Do you have a web store?

We do not have a web store because most VISION products require installation. We need to consult with you by email prior to purchase. This may seem troublesome but it ensures there are no problems after you buy from us.  If you have no vehicle electronics experience or have doubts about your installation ability, we kindly ask that you please consult with either a professional installer in your local area or a knowledgeable and experienced friend who can help you install our products.

See our Paypal & Payment details.

Want to import our products in bulk?  Please contact us.

Q9: What shipping options are available?

Small Packet is slower than EMS but even when you add Registered Mail, it costs less than EMS.  EMS offers full insurance and online tracking, and is the fastest to arrive.  We recommend EMS for most shipments.

Q10: Are your car security products easy to use?

Yes!  You need only press LOCK on your car's remote or door handle to ARM our security products.  Press UNLOCK to DISARM.  (We also sell alarm Remote kits if you want more control.)

Q11: I already have a car alarm, but are VISION sensors compatible?

That depends on which VISION sensor you are thinking about and your alarm system. For example, our 318-054 shock sensor is fully compatible with most any alarm, but our standard 318-052 shock sensor is incompatible with alarms that only have Multiplex sensor inputs. Multiplex means 2 different signals (which differ by length) are sent over 1 wire. Our 318-052 is NOT compatible with 1-wire multiplex inputs because the sensor sends both Warning and Full triggers at the same time whenever there is a Full Trigger. Our 318-054 is the better choice for 3rd party alarms because it does not send both signals at the same time, and the signal length is similar to our competitor's 2-stage shock sensors. Please note the 318-054 is an optional add-on sensor on VISION systems but comes standard on SCIBORG systems. VISION systems include our 318-052 shock sensor.

Q12: Can I get vehicle schematics or wiring help?

When you purchase a security product from us, we will provide you with technical installation information that pertains to whatever car you tell us.  Want only the car security related wiring info and not an alarm?  We offer that in our Vehicle Wiring Service

Q1: Why can't I Disarm when it's cold outside?

When you had the 1480 installed in your car, was the 1480 control module mounted very tightly against something that could press hard on the bottom of the case?  There is a reset button on the bottom of the circuit board inside, and there is a little hole in the bottom case (normally covered by a round sticker) through which a paperclip is inserted to reset the system.  This is used when we program the control modules.  To prevent accidental pressing, we glue a circular rubber washer around the push-button at the factory.  However, if you used wire tie to very tightly press the control module against a piece of metal in the car, it is possible that it is becoming even tighter in very cold weather and causing the reset button to be pressed.  Simply check how the control module is installed to solve the problem.

If you confirm that the reset button is not the root problem, then the only other explanation is that your car battery is experiencing a very large voltage drop during cranking.  This becomes more of a problem as batteries age, during cold weather, and when a battery is not fully charged.  In the past, we recommend the purchase of our UPS-47 to stabilize 12V power to the 1480 control module during cranking.  But the Enhanced 1480, released in June 2024, offers a new power supply design that works even if the battery voltage drops down to 2.9v.  If your car battery voltage drops lower than 2.9v even for brief periods, the problem is most likely the car battery. You should have it checked for possible replacement.

Q2: Is the 1480 compatible with my car?

Please check our Vehicle Compatibility charts.
If your vehicle is listed on our chart and if you purchase direct from us, we will program the required vehicle firmware into the 1480 control module for you. Beware of buying a 1480 online unless the seller promises to program the required firmware for your car. If the 1480 is not programmed or programmed incorrectly, it will not functional at all in your car. If you buy from a company other than KIRAMEK, you need to find out when the 1480 was made. If made before June 2024, vehicle compatibility is different than our NEW 1480, and it requires different firmware.

Q3: Will the 1480 work with my vehicle's factory immobilizer?

Yes. The 1480 adds another layer of protection on top of your immobilizer. If you want a second layer of Ignition immobilization, please purchase a KNR-2A Starter Kill Dual Relay Unit along with your 1480.

Q4: Will the 1480 work with my vehicle's factory alarm?

Yes, both will function fine.  For example, if a thief opens a door while Armed, your factory alarm and the 1480 will trigger. Please note, however, that if you purchase an optional TR365 or TR537S remote kit with your 1480, using the remote will Arm and Disarm your 1480 just fine, but the remote will not Arm and Disarm your factory alarm.  To Arm/Disarm your factory remote requires use of factory keyless Lock/Unlock.

Q5: Will the 1480 work with my engine starter & turbo timer?

Yes, but if your car does not let you use keyless Lock/Unlock while the engine is running, it means you cannot Arm/Disarm the 1480 until you shutdown the engine.

Some factory and 3rd party Remote Starters use a dedicated "Door Open" signal output wire to trick the vehicle into thinking a door has been opened after the Remote Starter shuts off the engine. This "door open" signal wire is needed to trigger the Headlights to shut off, on cars that have an Auto Light feature. The problem is that the Door Open signal will trigger our 1480. The SOLUTION is to turn OFF Auto Light (usually at your light switch) and disconnect the remote starter's "Door Open" signal wire. In cases where that does not work (for example, if your Remote Starter connects via CAN-BUS), you would need to Disarm before the engine shuts down (which may not be possible on some cars), or disable the remote starter altogether, or simply not install our 1480.

We do not sell remote start systems.

Q6: Does the 1480 flash my car's lights?

In most but not all cases.  But which lights will be flashed depends on the vehicle.  You may see the Hazards flash or the Parking Lights flash.  Some cars flash only the front lights or only the back lights.  The number of light flashes also differs by car, because the flashing is done through CAN-BUS commands.  Our Enhanced 1480, released in June 2024, also features an Analog (–) Light output wire that is useful in cases where vehicle lights won't flash by CAN-BUS.

Q7: Can I buy a 1480 now and add a remote later?

Yes. And you can add up to 4 remotes.

Q8: I can't start the engine with my key card. Sometimes keyless lock/unlock doesn't work. Why?

  • Keep the VISION TR537S 2-way Pager Remote more than 10cm away from your Key Card & Key Fob.

  • If you have the 2-way Remote on the same keychain as your card or fob, there will be RF interference!

The optional TR537S is a two-way system that both transmits and receives data via RF radio waves. If the factory wireless keys are too close to the TR537S remote, you may not be able to start your engine or operate factory keyless.  The fix is easy though.  Just keep the 2-way pager further away from your factory key card and fob.

Q9: There are times when vehicle light flashing doesn't stop after the 1480's siren stops. Why?

Vehicle Hazard lamps flash whenever the 1480 is triggered while Armed, but the lights should stop flashing when the siren stops.  If the lights continue flashing, it means that either the power source of the 1480 is unstable, or the 1480's CAN wires are not connected properly. Please make sure your car battery is the correct voltage, and please make sure the two CAN wires are connected well.  We recommend Posi-Tap connectors to make the best CAN connections.

Q10: The 1480 triggers the siren blast when I open my trunk while Armed. Why?

Try not to bump or jolt your car until the trunk is opened.  If you jolt the car before the trunk opens, the shock sensor may detect the impact.  The shock sensor is automatically be bypassed as the trunk is opened.

Q11: I cannot perform the CAN learning step during installation. Why?

  • Reconfirm the CAN connections are to the correct vehicle wires.  And reconfirm that your connections are good. Intermittent connections can prevent the CAN learning step.

  • If the correct vehicle firmware was not programmed into your 1480 control unit, you cannot perform the CAN Learn step.

  • There's a Reset button on the bottom of the 1480 control module.  If you press too hard, even the rubber washer we have put around the switch may be insufficient to prevent the switch from being pressed. You cannot perform CAN Learning while the Reset button is pressed.

  • For a more exhaustive lists of reasons and solutions, see the Troubleshooting section in the back of the 1480 Installation Guide.

Q1: How do I know if my car is compatible with the 1460?

An easy test is to check Hazard flashing while you press Lock & Unlock.  If your Hazard lamps don't flash, the 1460 is NOT compatible. Another important test is to use your metal key inserted into the outside door keylock.  If the Hazards flash when you unlock using the metal key, the 1460 is NOT compatible.  (You don't want a thief to pick the keylock and disarm the 1460.) Lastly, please note that the 1460 only supports factory keyless from the car maker.  We do not support aftermarket add-on keyless systems, sold by a 3rd party.

Q2: Will the 1460 work with my vehicle's factory immobilizer?

Yes. The 1460 adds another layer of protection on top of your immobilizer. If you want secondary immobilization, please purchase a KNR-2A Starter Kill Relay Unit along with your 1460.

Q3: Will the 1460 work with my vehicle's factory alarm?

Yes, and both will function. For example, if a thief opens a door while Armed, your factory alarm and the 1460 will trigger. Please note, however, that if you purchase an optional TR365 or TR537S remote kit with your 1460, using the remote will Arm and Disarm your 1460 just fine, but the remote will not Arm and Disarm your factory alarm. To Arm/Disarm your factory remote requires use of factory keyless Lock/Unlock.

Q4: My 1460 is installed but not working. Why?

Recheck your connectors to (1) the door lock motor power wires and (2) Hazards.  Ensure the Hazards flash when keyless Lock/Unlock is used.

Q5. What are the precautions when using the 1460 with a factory remote starter?

It's possible the dome light and/or the instrument panel lights may illuminate when the engine switches off.  If that triggers the 1460's siren, then you will need to change the 1460's Door input connection to the door pin switches instead of the dome light.

Q6: Will the 1460 work with my 3rd party engine starter & turbo timer?

Yes, but if your car does not let you use keyless Lock/Unlock while the engine is running, it means you cannot Arm/Disarm the 1460 until you shutdown the engine.

Some factory and 3rd party Remote Starters use a dedicated "Door Open" signal output wire to trick the vehicle into thinking a door has been opened after the Remote Starter shuts off the engine. This "door open" signal wire is needed to trigger the Headlights to shut off, on cars that have an Auto Light feature. The problem is that the Door Open signal will trigger our 1460. The SOLUTION is to turn OFF Auto Light (usually at your light switch) and disconnect the remote starter's "Door Open" signal wire. In cases where that does not work (for example, if your Remote Starter connects via CAN-BUS), you would need to Disarm before the engine shuts down (which may not be possible on some cars), or disable the remote starter altogether, or simply not install our 1460.

We do not sell remote start systems.

Q7: The 1460 Armed when I used my turn signal while driving. Why?

You probably have an engine starter and an auto speed-lock device installed.  If the speed-lock device happens to Lock and then you quickly use the turn signals, because the 1460 is set to remote start compatibility mode, the 1460 will Arm.  This is normal.  The fix in that case is to connect the 1460's GRN (+)12V Trunk Release Input wire to the 1460's GRN/WHT (+)12V Ignition Input.  See page 8 in the 1460 Install Guide.

Q1: How do I know if my truck is compatible with the 2460?

If your truck has smart keyless entry, an easy compatibility test is to check Hazard flashing while you press Lock & Unlock. If your Hazard lamps don't flash, the 1460 is NOT compatible UNLESS you purchase a TR365 or TR537S remote kit. Another important test is to use your metal key inserted into the outside door keylock. If the Hazards flash when you unlock using the metal key, the 1460 is NOT compatible UNLESS you purchase a remote kit. (You don't want a thief to pick the keylock and disarm the 1460.) Lastly, please note that the 1460 only supports factory keyless from the truck maker. We do not support aftermarket add-on keyless systems, sold by a 3rd party.  Again, the workaround is to purchase a remote kit.

Q2: Do you have truck schematics or 24V vehicle wiring information?

We are very sorry, but we do not have wiring information for 24V vehicles.

Q3: What optional add-on products do you recommend for the 2460?

We designed the 2460 so you can use our 12V sensors without problem. LUMINATOR LED devices also work fine, as does our 318-16R door lock module. But if you need to add door lock motors, be sure to use our 24V model 316-24.

Q4: How many optional remotes can I add?

You can add up to 4.

Q5: Can I install the 2460 in a 12V vehicle?

No. The power supply is designed only for 24V vehicles.

Q1: Is it really safe to attach your SL30/50 or VSC86 products to my car's OBD plug?

Yes.  Even if your car's owner's manual warns you to not connect anything to the OBD plug, you can actually use our OBD speed lock and motor sports products in your car with complete confidence.  Here's why:

  1. We have obtained E-mark certification for our OBD devices that comply with ECE Regulation 10, Revision 4. This pertains to even hybrid, PHV and full electric vehicles, allowing our device to be safely attached to the OBD plug of those vehicles, as well as regular gasoline engine passenger cars.

  2. All pins are gold-plated to ensure no contact failures.

  3. Our OBD devices use the same exact control and monitoring codes for vehicle speed, door lock status and parking gear position as used by professional OBD diagnostic "scan" tools used at authorized vehicle service centers worldwide. Furthermore, our OBD devices use Level 8 low priority communication, which is ignored when the vehicle is busy. This means our OBD devices absolutely cannot interfere with proper vehicle operation.

  4. Current consumption is 5mA or less, ensuring very little drain on your car's battery. This is a benefit if you drive very infrequently.

Please just make sure your exact car model and year is found in the compatibility chart of the SCIBORG product you are considering. This is important because Toyota is blocking CAN access via the OBD plug on newer car models due to many cheap, inferior quality and badly designed 3rd party OBD devices having triggered consumer complaints in Japan. The good news is that we engineered newer model speed lockers that get around the car-maker imposed OBD block. These products includes our SL70VG and connect to vehicle CAN wires at a different location in the car (not OBD). They take a little more effort to install, but such is required to circumvent the OBD block. Our newer speed-lockers are certified and just as safe to use as our OBD models.