Remote Start

[BadSax]

So, in continuation of my obsession with the grey car, I've been thinking about remote start.

will the remote start only function if there is a pass key present, i.e. taped under the dash, or is it something that can be bypassed?

anything else I should be thinking about?

-J

 

[whiplash15]

Hi Joe,
I cant help you very much on a Gen II, but I had one on one of my 94. It was always disconcerting to me when at the end of the day, and everything was shut off and the house was quiet, and I realized the Mark was sitting in the garage,,,, running. Took very little to press the button, and I did it unknowingly several times when it was still in my pocket.

 

[budpytko]

You are correct about the key needing to be taped up under the dash......or close.

 

[95blklsc]

I hate remote starts. One came on my 95 when I bought it. It is completely disconnected now. Over the years it has at times tried to start the car once it was running grinding the starter gear and it has also prevented the car from shutting off. Also the couple times I tried to use it, the car would start, run for 30 seconds, then shut off, 30 seconds later it repeated as long as you would let it. I'm sure it wasn't installed right but I still din't like it.

I've had friends with remote starts causing a load of other problems.....I won't ever have one unless it was an OEM option......just my experience.

 

[BadSax]

I've had cars with remote start before, it was always something I meant to do to the red car but never got around to it.

This is the system I was thinking of...

http://www.viper.com/P-4202V/Viper-5301-Responder-Le-2-way--Remote-Start-System

Does any one thing it's worth getting the "alarm" version?

-J

 

[whiplash15]

Joe, if you are going to spend that much on one, I'd get the alarm also.

 

[driller]

Installation is key to problem free remote starts. I've had them before without issues and have one on the Navigator. You do need an extra key with the PATS system.

As far as OEM, the same premise holds true. When I got the '06 Harley truck new, I had the FLM dealer install option of remote start/alarm installed and a bluetooth adaptor for a cell phone. The remote start worked OK until winter. It would actually get too cold for it to work. Kind of took the icing off the cake.

 

[BadSax]

Joe, if you are going to spend that much on one, I'd get the alarm also.

They seem to be cheaper where sold...

Yes, installation will be key... I like to thoroughly interview anyone who will be touching my car, let alone taking it apart...

-J

 

[Bruinzfan]

Most of the systems now a days do not need a key to be hidden. They have modules which imitate the key. The module is near the alarm "brain" with an antenna wire run up the column. When you remote starte the car, the module tricks the car to thinking the key is present.

When done this way the theft deterent is still present with regard to the typical break the column and start the car. (More efective on GM's anyway, typically not on the later Ford products. From my 13 years of driving a wrecker for the police.) When you tape the key near the column the system thinks the key is always in the ignition.

The installer typically needs 2 keys to program the Module. They program it similar to the way the book tells you to program an additional key. The trick is that you must have 2 keys to enter the programming mode, otherwise you need Ford and their computer. Which in itself isnt bad, except for the labor rate that goes with it!!

12volt.com or 12voltgarage.com, (Something like that.) is a great resourse for all you need to know and were afraid to ask about your car electronics. Including diagrams telling you which wire to connect to.

My 05 Freestar had a harness fire with a factory installed alarm. (5 Mos. old) I didnt install it myself because of the factory waranty. I should have, when the dealer replaced the harness, the jokers connected a 10 guage starter wire to a 14 guage Ford harness wire. I dont need my backround in electronics and electricity to know that doesnt seam right.

Anyway. Good luck with that Joe!! There is a really good one on the market that has phone apps to start the car for the times you are not "line of sight" to it. Uses cell towers. The one i had in the van utilized a one way satelite link. You could call a phone number and it would start the car. Was great, wife worked in an office building and the typicall remote start would have been useless. Great until the fire that is!!

Keith

 

[tixer]

I have installed a few of these remote start units over the years, and the thought of somebody installing one in *my* car scares the you-know-what out of me. There's just *so* very much splicing to do. wires have to be tapped for everything from the starter, to the brakes, to the interior lights. You'll get a box with about 20 wires, that all have to be connected to something. And then you have to think about security features you may be forced to defeat, like the RFID key, and in some cases, the factory alarm..

As handy as they are, (and believe me, here in the upper midwest, they're handy) in my opinion, they just aren't worth the hassle.

Of course, if I'd just had the dealer install it like everybody else does, I wouldn't know any of this, and I would live a happy existence, starting my car from a distance to show off, and pushing the button on the remote that makes it honk "shave and a haircut." maybe ignorance *is* bliss.

Until the car burns, anyway.

 

[LaserSVT]

If you get a remote start system then get it as a 2-way alarm system. Dont go cheap and it wont have the glitches the cheaper ones have. Do a Clifford or Ungo or Alpine.
Expect to spend $450+ on a quality system and have it installed by a pro. I have had to redo so many systems from hack installs. There is allot to it plus you dont want two remotes on your chain.
And yeah, you have to tape the key to the underside of the ignition switch.

 

[BadSax]

The Viper alarm is made by the same company that brands Clifford. It is a 2-way, with what looks to be a reasonably sized remote.

Plus, I could use my phone to start my car etc if I wanted...

-J

 

[Icarus]

I've got a Compustar 2-way remote start/alarm in my '94 and it's been great. I installed it myself, soldered all connections etc and it's been trouble free. Wicked range too (more than the US models)