Which remote start?

[wyldejackyl]

My wife has been bugging me about getting one of these forever, so I think I'm finally going to cave and get her one for christmas.The Vibe is an '03 with a dealer-installed alarm (they put it in a week after we got the car). My criteria aren't that intense, but I would like it to be:* as easy as possible to install - I'm doing this myself* long range remote if possible, at least a few hundred feet if not a 1/4 mile* small remote, or one that I can somehow program with the alarm features so there's only one fob per keychain* relatively inexpensive, no frills, but reliable (I don't need anything with a 2-way pager, turbo timer, integrated ham radio and survival kit, etc)* available locally or on the internet from a reputable seller. I prefer to AVOID Worst Buy and Circuit ****ty. That whole, "Pay extra for us to stand behind our products" B.S. really turns me off. Abt Electronics is local, so I'd either go with them, or order off the 'net from someplace.What do you guys think?

[Jahntassa]

1. If the dealer installed alarm is aftermarket, you'll either need to figure out how to interface with it, or rip it out. Most likely the latter.2. No matter WHAT the RS units state, you'll probably get no more than a few hundred feet out of the remotes. Mostly due to factors like the car's construction, the position of the sun, and physics itself.3. See #14. The 'no frills' part is pretty easy.5. The 'pay extra for us to stand behind our products' is a contract with the manufacturers that say the products have to be professionally installed (for the non DIY units) in order for the warranty to be valid. If you install any of their higher-end equipment yourself, boom, the warranty is instantly invalid and the manufacturer will not help you.Beyond that, the warranty for alarms through BB and CC do work. If your unit dies (sometimes even the remote) often they'll just swap it out with the same unit, or a minimal fee to go to a newer unit. Just because many other products have crap warranties doesn't mean alarms don't. I should know, I used to install them for CC and I did a damn good job with it.That being said, something like the DEI Valet 561R will be fairly easy to install. http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm...il.doNow, let me tell you firstly. A remote start is very invasive. You need to wire in to your ignition harness, as well as tap a wire into your fuel injection wires. You'll also need to run a wire under your hood for a 'hood pin' safety, which will disengage the remote start if the hood is open.RS is not for the faint of heart. Know what you're doing and have good documentation for the wiring. Installing this yourself will mean if you break something, you'll have nothing to fall back on. Simple things like the fact that the parking lights in the vibe are a negative switch system instead of a positive are easy to miss, even for people who have done installs before.Also, as said, knowing exactly what kind of alarm is in your Vibe (if it is not stock, meaning, you're not using the pontiac keyfobs) is needed. You will have to interface with it in order to use the RS functions, or else you'll need to get a full remote-start / alarm system.Keep in mind, i'm not trying to dissuade you from getting a remote start. I installed mine several years ago and will swear by it (I have a Viper 790XV), but I do want you to realize that it's not the same as installing a head unit or a subwoofer.

[wyldejackyl]

Where would I find out who makes the alarm? IMHO they did kind of a crappy job..the few connections I've seen are done with shoddy crimp connectors. It has some sort of a momentary switch installed in the DS kick panel on the inside, as well as a starter disable (found this out one day on accident when the battery was dying and I couldn't jump start it).I'm fine with a few hundred feet. Actually, our car is parked right outside our bedroom window. I will look at the Valet 561R. That seems like a totally cheap price though..around $60. I'm not afraid of invasive, so long as the documentation is excellent that comes with it. I know enough about electronics to get me beyond the amp and sub level. I do not trust the techs at CC and BB (no offense) because every install I've ever seen from either of those places has been a complete hack-job done by unprofessional idiots. I like to attend to detail when I do anything with wiring, as I find it pays off later if you do it right the first time. I see that Crutchfield doesn't sell remote starts. Their customer service/tech support is excellent. Is there any other company out there that stands by their product enough that you can call a number and get help if you need it? I don't anticipate being stuck but you know how that goes...If it is a *factory* alarm, would it have the brand all over it? The problem is, the dealer it was installed at no longer sells Pontiacs..and it's doubtful that anyone there is going to remember an install from 4 years ago; doesn't help that those people have ****-for-brains as well and they are the ones that told me the fill for the transmission was 24 quarts (yes, I'm serious)!

[Jahntassa]

If it has a switch installed, then it's not factory. If it was factory there would be a panel next to the hatch release that says 'SECURITY' with a flashing red light and holes for the glass break microphone.Got a picture of your keyfob, or is it the standard one? That may be enough to tell.As far as the Valet. It's made by DEI (Directed Electronics) who also makes Viper, Python, and recently Clifford lines of alarms, so it's a brand that can be trusted. I've called their tech support once or twice while I was installing at CC and it's not bad, but I don't think they'll help with the individual car wiring. Since you have a 2003, I can get you the information you'd need to install it. Actually... I have a how-to guide written for a Rattler remote start which is pretty much the same thing.PM me with your email and i'll send it your way, that'll probably help out.Remote starts don't have to be expensive. Keep in mind many alarms are really only $100-$200, the install is almost half the price, just because they can be really complex. Thankfully the Vibe is a fairly easy install.Honestly? DEI is probably the best equipment as far as reliability and hope for support goes. Anything else is probably chinese with horrible documentation (with the exception of CompuStar stuff, but i've never installed that)As far as the BB/CC thing..well, I can only speak for the local shop I worked for. Thankfully I worked with really intelligent people who knew what they were doing. We always soldiered connections and were always very careful with the installs, and usually wouldn't mind hooking up some extra stuff if you just asked. Unfortunately I know most shops aren't like ours, so I can't blame you.

[wyldejackyl]

I'll see if I can get a pic of the remote. I had no idea the factory alarm had a breakage microphone- sounds sophisticated! This is, from what I can tell, a basic system. Door lock/unlock. Doors lock and arm the alarm; unlock and disarm. If you use the factory fob with the alarm on, it'll sound. It has a starter disable and a hood-lift switch, and a loud (removed) alarm mounted to the firewall. I have no idea where the alarm control module would be mounted..any ideas? I'm guessing I can follow the hood switch and find something traceable. PM sent for that how-to data. What if the alarm I have is somehow incompatible..does DEI make an alarm/remote start unit as well? If you had to recommend a combo unit..what would it be? Personally, I hate the alarm. My wife insists on using it. The only time it would come in handy would be if someone was breaking into the car at our home (which is unlikely). If someone's going to steal your car that now bluebooks around $11k or whatever - let them. I just hope they torch it so it's totalled out! If I happen to hear the alarm and they are still there, they better know how to dodge 00 buckshot!

[Jahntassa]

They do have Alarm / RS, but the problem you might run into is the higher-end systems generally 'require' professional installation. You may be able to find some on eBay, but it'll be tough because DEI generally ends the auctions through eBay.Alarms are just deterrents. At least the panic button can sometimes be a good thing. Otherwise, the RS is nice because you can leave the car running without the key in the ignition.

[wyldejackyl]

I was under the impression that if you started it remotely..once you got in the car and took it out of park, if the key wasn't in..the car died and wouldn't start again without the key. Otherwise, what's to prevent someone from snagging your code and just driving off with your car?

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

yeah the engine cuts out as soon as you touch the brakes... so on an auto you cant even pull it out of gear

[wyldejackyl]

So in theory, you unlock your doors, get in, put the key in and turn it to 'on'..THEN go on your merry way, right?Or do they differ from unit to unit?

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

no theory required... thats what they do.all of the remote starts i have owned do this too, step on brake with key out of ign cylinder and engine stops.and you are correct- start with remote, unlock doors, sit down, key to "on", drive away warm.

[Jahntassa]

Yup, and with the DEI systems, you can also trigger the remote start WHILE it's running, then remove the key and get out of the car. I forget what they call it..but it's handy if you want to leave the car running (for AC or for heat) and run inside for a quick minute or two, like at a gas station or something.You can also lock the doors while it's running, so someone can't just 'slip in'. And even if they break the window and get in, as soon as they hit the brake, the car goes off.So, if you're getting in and want to drive off, as long as the key is in the ignition in the ON position, the car will stay on when you tap the brake.

[wyldejackyl]

Sounds awesome..now I just need to buy one and install one..which should be "interesting" to say the least.Is it common to screw it up?

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »Yup, and with the DEI systems, you can also trigger the remote start WHILE it's running, then remove the key and get out of the car. I forget what they call it..valet take-over if i recall correctly...Quote »You can also lock the doors while it's running, so someone can't just 'slip in'. And even if they break the window and get in, as soon as they hit the brake, the car goes off.Don't forget also without a key in the ignition, the steering wheel is locked as well...I had a Rattler 369D, and if it weren't for my own personally poor installation (i cheated and used crimp connection and quick-splices...a big no-no with this kinda install), it would've been a perfectly flawless installation. The unit itself, though, gave me no trouble at all...I sold it to someone on here, I forget who, but I haven't heard about any problems so I suspect it's still humming along as always...

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

oh one more note... the vibes will try to restart if you turn the key all the way to start.dont do that... it sounds not nice

[Jahntassa]

Quote, originally posted by CAN-AWD-VIBE »oh one more note... the vibes will try to restart if you turn the key all the way to start.dont do that... it sounds not niceIf you have a remote start with an alarm built in, the starter-kill will keep this from happening. At least it does on mine, because when the RS is enabled, so is the starter kill.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by CAN-AWD-VIBE »oh one more note... the vibes will try to restart if you turn the key all the way to start.dont do that... it sounds not niceThankfully my G6's electronic ignition automatically locks out attempts to restart once the engine is on. If you try to turn the key again, nothing happens. I used to make that same mistake on my Vibe frequently...until I got used to the whole idea of getting into a remotely-started car.

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

my subie wont try to restart either, i guess it just depends

[wyldejackyl]

Quote, originally posted by CAN-AWD-VIBE »oh one more note... the vibes will try to restart if you turn the key all the way to start.dont do that... it sounds not niceThe unit I was looking at has some sort of an "anti grind" feature which I think stops this (or it's just a fancy branded name for what Jahntassa describes as the starter kill being engaged when the alarm is on anyway). Probably the latter!

[Jahntassa]

Actually the 'anti-grind' it's referring to is it senses when the car is actually started up. Basically it keeps the remote-start from over-running the starter when it starts up.This is done via the purple/white wire that needs to get tapped into one of the fuel injectors or actually the ignition packs.

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

i guess that would be nice... but you only do it once before you figure out it's a no no.oooo that sound is awful.

[mikey00]

I have to agree with the recomendations for the Valet 561R. That's what I have in my Vibe and it works as described in all the posts above. I did all the research and was prepared to do the install myself. I went to Circuit City to pick up the RS and they had a sale $159 completely installed and had time to do it that afternoon. At that price it was not worth my time to do it myself. So I went for it. I checked all the wiring and everything was done neat with everything soldered which is what we discussed before install. There was one small problem though. When they connected the parking lights they connected the RS positive pulse wire instead of the negative pulse wire which took out my DRL module. They acknowledged the problem and offered to pay completly for the dealer to replace the module and plus refunded half of what I paid for the RS. Overall it was a positive experience and if I were having another RS installed I would have them do it again. I see CC is currently having a sale for same price and 6th ave Electronics is offering it for $129 completely installed.Remote Starters are great and I would do it again but let me tell you of the biggest dissappointment with them. If it's 30 degrees or less and you remote start your car and the night before you remembered to set your heater or defrost at full blast so it would warm up nicely, you would expect it to be nice and warm after say 10, 20, 30 minutes (depending on max run time of your RS). Not so. It will be slightly warm inside but not what you would expect. You can currently test this. Start your car at 30 degrees or less with the heat on full blast and come back 30 minutes later. You will see the engine temp guage barely moved and heater is blowing luke warm air. The Vibe has a wonderful heater once the car is driven but at idle the blower blowing through the heater core acts like a radiator and keeps the engine cool.

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

its warmer the -20 andits ready to pump out good heat right now.i would say the biggest dissapointment is when they get installed wrong.but your right... the car is not smoking hot (they way you would think) after running for 10-15 mins outside. But again, I dont mind because as soon as you start moving the air is hot.

[mikey00]

I wish it did get a little warmer at idle. This is more for melting ice and snow and defrosting windows than comfort. It is kind of dissappointing when your windows are still iced up after an ice storm even if the car warmed up for 30 minutes. I plan to try one of those 12v 200 watt heaters this winter. They only cost about $12. It would come on when the car is remoted started. This would do 2 things. First it would supply an extra 200 watts of heat. Second it will cause a current draw causing the alternator to put a slight load on the engine which may help it to warm up a little.But I guess the engine is very small and produces very little heat at idle and the heater is large so it cools the engine easily. The heater definetly puts out when the car is driven.