Thinking of putting on a remote start-Opinion?

[Vibe-agra]

My Vibe is supposed to be delivered this week and I asked the dealer how much for a remote start, It's cold here in Chicago. She said 550.00. That seems high, but it would be dealer installed and added to my car note with 0% interest. I have the factory security system on the vehicle also. Any suggestions on which way to go, factory or aftermarket.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

For sure, aftermarket will be by far cheaper. Depending on the bran and the option, it will cost you between $150 and $350 (us) installed.I went for an aftermarket one. 2 way, with alarm and it cost me $345 (cdn) with 2 virtual remote (the extra remote cost $85). This mean about $230 USD. I have to mention I installed it myself with a friend.On my other car, I bought a remote starter from the dealer. It cost me an arm and I found that the remote starter been installer by an external jobber!!! So the dealer ask an external supplier to come in and instal a remote car starter. Be sure your dealer will take a quote on it.

[Space_Cowboy]

yeah, that seems pretty high for a remote starter. I went to best buy and got a remote starter installed for about $180 and there were some even cheaper than that. I'm not sure if it voided any sort of warranty but i don't think so. I live in michigan and man, that remote starter was worth every penny i paid for it.

[Pugs]

Tried to get my Dealer to install it before I picked it up (and add it in with the 0%).He said they don't install them but did recommend a "custom" shop with licenced techs to do it. $160cdn for the Polarstart (1500ft) system & $190cdn for the install, that's all the pwr doors, hatch and factory security. (approx $260USD)The Pro's did manage to crack the plastic trim piece as you get in the driver's door, but owned up to it. Told me to get the dealer to order a new piece and they'd pay and instal it. Now let's see if the dealer get can it before the 6 month, no money down, no interest time is up!!! Buy the way, my first remote start and I'm loving it!

[Sub-Vibe-R]

quote:I might break down and get one also, wonder if there is a combo where I can still stay with my factory alarm.You can install a remote sarter even you have the factoty alarm. The person who will install it will add a bypass it to start the engine and then, will put back the factory alarm on.

[DopeVibeGT]

Try crimestoppers. I have the full, 2006FM remote start/alarm installed on my other car and it works great! Here's what you're looking for. Even pages you to let you know the car is running, etc. http://www.crimestopper.com/rs999fm.html

[NY Pete]

looks like I'm going with the CompuStar alarm and remote starter... two way, spread spectrum (about 1/4 mile range), remote paging; VERY nice setup... http://www.compustar.org/

[NY Pete]

quote:let me add, i dont want 2 key fobs either, if they can us emy original factory fob. and i dont want a fater market one either.Unfortunately, any installer worth their salt is going to tell you if you have a starter/alarm put in, your factory keyless system+keyfob gotta go bye-bye... That being said, if you get one, get a GOOD one...

[ragingfish]

I saw a "Car and Driver" branded remote starter at target. It was about $75.Would love to get a remote starter, but don't want to get something crappy.Can I trust this brand? Anyone else have, or know someone who has, a remote starter from Target?Thanks guys...

[NY Pete]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »I saw a "Car and Driver" branded remote starter at target. It was about $75.Would love to get a remote starter, but don't want to get something crappy.Can I trust this brand? Anyone else have, or know someone who has, a remote starter from Target?Thanks guys...I think you answered your own question - If a $75 remote start was worth having, why would we all be paying $250-$500?BTW, do you have a 5-speed? If you do, you'd be better off with a remote start SPECIFICALLY designed to be installed on 5-speed cars - otherwise you're liable to "hop" your car right through a garage door or down a hill or something...!Pete

[Sub-Vibe-R]

Quote, originally posted by NY Pete »I think you answered your own question - If a $75 remote start was worth having, why would we all be paying $250-$500?BTW, do you have a 5-speed? If you do, you'd be better off with a remote start SPECIFICALLY designed to be installed on 5-speed cars - otherwise you're liable to "hop" your car right through a garage door or down a hill or something...!PeteThere's remote starter built only for manual tranny and other only for manual tranny. Remote starter for auto are pretty basic. Remote starter for manual tranny have input for hand brake, door pin switch input and output fur the clutch bypass. Plus remote starter for manual tranny need to be "programmed" every time you want to use it. Mine is very simple. Park the car, pull the hand brake, parking light flashes twice, I remove key from the ignition (engine keep running), go out the car, close the door, engine shut off automaticly and the starter is programmed. But as soon as a door is open, you have to restart the car and reprogram it.For less sophisticaded remote starter, you have to program it manually.Before shutting down the engine, you have to press the start button on the remote control, remove the key from the ignition (engine still running) get out the car, close the door and press the start button again to turn off the engine.

[Jahntassa]

Raging, get a Rattler, they work pretty well..As far as they go, I have the Viper in my GT..which is obviously a manual..Bypassing the clutch switch is easy, and the neutral safety in mine is just another switch that i'll flick if I park it in gear...As I said in an earlier thread. Let me know when you want to install a remote start, I have all the wiring guides for it, and the easy way past the clutch switch..

[ragingfish]

Coming soon...Ragingfish's latest install! A remote starter! Thanks to the guidance of Jahntassa, of course, who has been BEYOND amazing and helpful...but the install progresses...verrrrrry slowly...Purchased a Rattler 369D with 556T timer unit which will automatically start the car at a certain time of day, or if a temperature falls below a certain threshold...Will have pics (as best as I can anyway) as soon as I'm up and running!Oooh the excitement!

[VibeChick]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Purchased a Rattler 369D with 556T timer unit which will automatically start the car at a certain time of day, or if a temperature falls below a certain threshold...Ooo, they can do that? I knew about the temperature thing, but not that you could set the time like that. A timer would be perfect! Then I wouldn't have to sit in the car waiting for it to warm up when I get off work! Let us know how it works!

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by VibeChick »Let us know how it works!But OF COURSE!

[AKLGT]

i checked into one for mine, but too expensive for a 2 way starter/alarm for manual trans. they wanted $500 installed! way too much for me right now!

[ilquikgtx]

Mikey I live in the chicago area, I work for one of the largest retailer that installs remote starters and alot of mid to high end equipment, I will have no problem helping a fellow viber.John , Abt electronics in glenveiw IL give me a call847 954 4114 if i dont answer leave me a message. btw i am the car stereo shop manager

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »i checked into one for mine, but too expensive for a 2 way starter/alarm for manual trans. they wanted $500 installed! way too much for me right now!Go out to Circuit City, plop down $129 for the Rattler 369D. It'll take three hours to install. Most installers WILL NOT do a manual trans. But, if you found one, that's great!Installing the remote start yourself will save you lots of money. It'll take about 3-4 hours depending on how you are at wiring. I've written a guide to installing that particular unit (or any other Rattler/Viper) in the Vibe, whether it be stick or automatic. (I installed a Viper 790 in my Vibe GT).If you get ANY remote start system, let me know, and i'll be able to give you a step-by-step.Also, Mike? Did you get it put in, or are you waiting for those pics? I'm sorry man, I got so busy with work, I haven't put them up yet.

[stkos79]

was thinking to but the idea of the factorykeyless dont not work when runningmeans add keyless wiring the the remote start unit,,

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »Also, Mike? Did you get it put in, or are you waiting for those pics? I'm sorry man, I got so busy with work, I haven't put them up yet.Haven't touched it...was going to run the antenna wiring, and the timer wiring today, just get them down the pillar into the dash, but didn't get a chance to. Was looking to do it tomorrow (Sunday), so if you have some pics, that'd be great!

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by stkos79 »was thinking to but the idea of the factorykeyless dont not work when runningmeans add keyless wiring the the remote start unit,, What? The Rattler 369D has keyless entry built into it. It replaces the factory remote entirely. It will let you lock the doors and leave the engine running as part of a feature called "valet take-over". You can start the car remotely and leave the doors locked, exit the car while it's running and lock the doors.You can add a remote-start/keyless entry even if you have the factory alarm system, and regardless if you have stick / automatic. And besides, the keyless part of the remote start system requires tapping into two (maybe three) wires at the kickpanel. Nothing more than that, unless you don't have the power package.

[ragingfish]

If anyone plans on doing this install yourself, leave a good day for it...I've been going for at least 5 and a half hours now...and I still have a way to go......and it's only 14*F out...

[cdFxer]

Ack! Cant...sustain....life.......at.....that....temprature.....(but then again when y'all are melting this summer, Im happy as a clam)

[ragingfish]

let's just say that i have an itty bitty space heater in this big garage and it ain't doin JACK! so the cold is probably hindering my progress as well...but every hour or so i go out, let the car run in the driveway, heat up the cabin as much as i can, then move her back in and try not to open the doors unless absolutely necessary to retain as much heat as possible...and yeah, when i discovered i didn't have a part to finish the job, that pissed me off even more.but i'll pick it up tomorrow and it'll be all good!

[Jahntassa]

Also, I want to add to my previous statement. Those of you who're adding the 369D CAN continue to use your factory remotes to lock/unlock the doors as normal. I no longer can because I added a remote start / security option.Ragingfish can continue using his remotes, but it might be better to simply get another one or two of the remote start remotes for his car.

[ragingfish]

Um yeah, this is the COOLEST upgrade you can do to your vibe!I just finished the install on mine, and nothing is cooler than watching your car start without being near it! A worthy upgrade...

[stahl]

Searched the forum and stumbled across this thread. I'm looking to put the rattler 369D into my 05 Vibe. I'm guessing the remote starter merely does what turning the key usually does in terms of circuitry. Now, since it's a manual 5 speed, I'm guessing I have to figure out a way to trick the car into thinking my foot is on the clutch, and remember to never leave the car in-gear when turning it off (which i already usually never do).Does anyone have instructions for circumventing the clutch? I realize this thread is quite old.Thanks!

[Jahntassa]

Yup. PM me with your email address and i'll send you the Vibe specific instructions I wrote up, including clutch switch bypass.

[robodoc]

Quote, originally posted by ilquikgtx »Mikey I live in the chicago area, I work for one of the largest retailer that installs remote starters and alot of mid to high end equipment, I will have no problem helping a fellow viber.John , Abt electronics in glenveiw IL give me a call847 954 4114 if i dont answer leave me a message. btw i am the car stereo shop managerWhat brands do you recommend? I had a Sidewinder 2 way in my last truck and really thought it worked well. I might be interested in picking up 2 of them for the right price, so I can put one in the wife's Impala also. What about the GM Passlock bypass, do we need one in the Vibe? Thanks.

[03VibeGT6Spd]

Back in Dec 2003, I found some cheap BullDog extended range remote starters.They were normally $69.00 or $79.00 each and I pick up some for under $15.00 each New.I install one in my Sblazer and it was easy and worked great. So I gave away most of them as gifts.The funny part is that it still works, I never expected much out of it.$15.00 for a remote starter you would only expect to start it once. (removed)

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by robodoc » I might be interested in picking up 2 of them for the right price, so I can put one in the wife's Impala also. What about the GM Passlock bypass, do we need one in the Vibe? Thanks.What year Impala? If it's a new one, be prepared to pay a lot to get it running.In the Vibe, no, you need no passlock bypass.

[robodoc]

The Impala is a 2002. I know when I did my truck, the passlock bypass module was about $50, and I think that was for Passlock II. I am not sure what the Impala has on it as far as Passlock generation.