I'm ready to install my new alarm and it has a starter cut relay... I'm wondering where the best place to install that relay is (on a 1997 Integra LS). I'm talking mostly about which wires to make it interrupt. The relay can only handle like 30 or 40 amps and the ignition circuit fuse is 50 amps, iirc. The ignition wires are easy to get to and right next to other connections I have to make for the alarm, but I'm not sure how much power the starter draws. I'm thinking it's not a good idea to put it directly on the starter circuit unless I'm sure the relay can handle the amperage. My amp meter only goes up to 20 amps, so I can't just measure how much that circuit draws to see if it's safe.

I know there's a clutch sensor which is connected to a starter cut relay, so I'm thinking about making my alarm's relay fake out that clutch sensor. That way it will think the clutch pedal isn't being pushing in (when the alarm is still armed) and thus prevent the engine from starting. The alarm's relay would only be interrupting another relay, so I wouldn't have to worry about the amperage rating being too low. But, I have reason to believe that there is more than one clutch sensor. There is a little button switch on where the clutch pedal rests (when it's not being pushed on), but I think that may only be for the cruise control. It's very easy to activate that switch, but you have to push the clutch all the way in for the engine to start, so I don't think that switch is the one that kills the starter.

Where's the clutch sensor that keeps the engine from starting? Should I just put the alarm's kill relay on the ignition wires instead? Anyone know how many amps actually go through those wires?

 

I put it on my actually Ignition wires on both Civics I have had, never had any problems.

 

First: I recommend to use the relay to kill the starter. The 60 amps you see is the starter motor's comsunption while working. The relay will handle just the starter solenoid's amperage which is less than 30 amps. So, don't worry about it.

Second: I don't recommend to try to desable the clutch switch circuit. It's easier for thieves to bypass that circuit. Besides, it can cause problems later on.

If the thief disable your alarm system, then the relay at the clutch switch wont work. Leaving the circuit closed and useless so the thief the only thing he has to do is crank the engine up and take your car away . NOW, if the thief disable your alarm system, the relay at the starter killer circuit still will work, so making the thief job a little harder

P.S. The key is to install the starter relay in a very concealed manner.