Remote Car Starter..

[hax3]

Hi everyone.. just wondering if anyone tried installing their own remote car starter? Winter is coming and it would be nice to have this feature..I'm seeing cheap remote car starters such as bulldog from walmart or prostart from canadianTire.. very cheap for basic remote car starter or one that comes with keyless entry. All of these are $100Can or lessI have a base 05 with Auto - no power doors/windows and no alarm. Would this be a problem with installing either just the basic remote starter or the one with keyless entry??I know the walmart and canTire devices are cheap - but what are the risk of putting these in vs. more expensive one if I'm only looking for basic remote starter (keyless entry would be a bonus) - are these less reliable or less secure (ie there's a higher chance someone else can start my car with their remote control)?Thanks for your time and help..

[mcgusto82]

well, bad news. if you don't have power locks.. you can't have keyless entry. you need to instal power locks. i went thru this last winter. i really wanted a remote starter, i have a stick shift. if you do too, listen.before you buy, make sure that the starter you are buying is manual compatible. when i say manual compatible, i mean make sure there is some kind of safety mechanism that won't let it start while in gear. this can be a horrible thing to happen.while i was in VA, i bought a bulldog deluxe 500. a two way srter with keyless and alarm. good system. i got it from sam's club.the HUGE problem that i ran into was that ALL stereo and alarm shops in the area, would not install a starter that they did not sell. that was thu the store. there was a couple of places that did install items they did not sell, but they had to be JBS (I THINK THAT'S CORRECT) technology alarms. walmart and such aren't. neither is the bulldog.THEN i found a guy that he would do it at his house (he worked at a alarm shop). he then got wearry about it being a stick shift. some people will tell you that it's illegal to instal a remote starter into a stick shift. it isn't, but all known name alarm retailers won't do it. (best buy, circuit city) it's a liability.What i'm trying to tell you, is to make sure that either you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, and do it yourself. if not, MAKE SURE, there is someone who will install it for you. those guys who do weekend side jobs at their house want premium to do it. the one guy i found that would do it wanted 150$. i paid less than half that for the starter.i eventually gave it to my father. i recently bought a 2 way fm starter with alarm from ebay. now since i'm in NY, i know A TON of places that will install anything into anything for 50$. (actual electricians).so again. make sure you will have no trouble having it install before you buy it. you can't return alarms and starters without a receipt from a professional installer.is there a difference betwenn the WAY expensive stuff and the 39$ stuff. likely. but i wouldn't pay 400$ for something i can get for 100$.alot of those systems are over priced because of the name brand.

[mcgusto82]

i just realized, you said your vibe is an auto. never mind the stick shift writing.another thing, since you don't have the power locks, you really don't benefit from a starter / keyless alarm security features. you need a a basic alarm that has rolling code. the frequenzy code changes everytime you use the remote.

[mikey00]

As was mentioned above, you need the power door locks for keyless entry. The power door locks can be installed but now things get much more complicated and it seemed like you were looking for an inexpensive solution. I have a Valet 561R remote starter completely installed at Circuit City for $159. I just noticed they now unbundled install from price and you can buy it for $59. The Valet 561R is made by DEI and is the same unit as the Rattler 369D which others have used on this forum. Sixth avenue electronics has a sale this week on the 561R completely installed for $129. Circuit city also sells a Code Alarm remote starter w/2 remotes for $49.99 which is supposed to be a good basic unit. All prices were US. Do a search here on "remote Starter" for much more info.

[Raven]

I had the Prostart on my '04 and it worked great. I had it installed at Future Shop for about $100.00. I considered doing it myself because I do most of my own repairs and installs but when it comes to messing with the ignition and expensive computer parts etc, I think it is worth having a pro install it. It would really suck to get stranded some -30 degree January night.

[Vibe_dude]

got an 03 myself...ut was installed on the car when i got it.the dealer did it for the woman that owned it before me.........works great..knock on wood.never had a prob.mine does not have the power door lock opyon on the car starter,but the car does have the power package.

[Celtic_Curse]

Bought a Compustar, had power door locks installed that work off the remote, and got the remote start with the alarm. I have a manual and to engage the remote start you have to go through this prep and then bingo no problem.

[wicked1981]

Im glad that GM offers remote starter systems on most (maybe all) new GM vehicles the if you build a GM vehicle and add the remote start option it costs $100 not bad if you are looking for a new car. Wonder how much they would charge to put on a car already sold..

[4X4CHICHI]

wonder how tough it would be to override the whole manual shifting and pushing in the clutch deal?

[mcgusto82]

Quote, originally posted by 4X4CHICHI »wonder how tough it would be to override the whole manual shifting and pushing in the clutch deal?that should be pretty easy. i'm thinking, you can instal a direct connection. bypassing the clutch push switch. then install a relay that completes the circuit when the remote starter sends the signal to the relay. that way, the pcm doesn't think the clutch is engaged when it isn't. nah mean???

[Jahntassa]

You don't need a relay to bypass the clutch switch with a remote starter.It's not illegal to have a remotestart on a stick, however, if your insurance company knew you had it, your rates would most likely go up. Also, very few shops will install on a stick (Bestbuy, Circuit city, etc. will not) due to the liability risks. If they install it, the person who they installed it for can go back and blame them for installing it.As I usually say...you get what you pay for in terms of hardware..And you guys are WAY overthinking the clutch bypass. The switch is a normally open switch..when you push down the clutch, it just completes the circuit to the starter wire in the ignition.

[hax3]

BIG THANK YOU to everyone for the useful info.. guess Without spending extra $ and more hassle, I'm out of luck with the keyless... oh well.. basic remote starter it is..Searched Best Buy Canada and no remote starter coming up in search page but FS has only one (nordic ns1014 $80Can) and a whole bunch of replacement remotes.. no price on install though.. hmm.. never thought about asking for a quote from dealer.. I guess I've always thought they'd be more expensive than getting it done by someone else..well.. hopefully I can get this done before it gets any colder!

[mcgusto82]

why don't you look at ebay for a 2 way fm remote starter. you can find a good one for under 50$.

[hax3]

That's a good point.. I'll take a look at what they have there.. I'm just worried, like you said, that i might end up having a real hard time looking for someone to install one that they did not sell.. also if there are any problems/defects then another headache plus cost of shipping/handling..

[mcgusto82]

i've just bought on ebay. 2 way fm starter with alrm. keyless entry, the works. 87$ buy it now. it's manual comaptible. being whre i am now, i shouldn't have a hard time finding an installer.just make sure you call around and find a installer before you buy.