Self installed remote car starters

[ohiojerry]

We are considering getting my daughter a remote car starter for Christmas. I went today to a well established, but local retailer that does car audio, remotes, etc. Wow--much more expensive than I anticipated.

I see JC Whitney sells them for self installation. I would not do the install myself--I know my limitations but we have a friend that could do it. Has anyone installed their own remote starter?

Can anyone offer any pros/cons?

Thank you.

 

[Arik]

Get the one that shuts off when the door is opened or the pedals are pushed.

I had 2 friends do this by them selves, years back. One went ok but I remember it took us most of the day. Beer helped keep us side tracked The other friend installed it on his older, stick shift Toyota Celica. Well it ended up through the wooden fance and in the neighbors pool when he pushed the "START" button from his living room, forgetting that the car was in gear!!!

 

[EQGuy]

The neighbor across the street from me had one in his car. He started it from inside his house and it took off and hit my next door neighbors car that was parked in front of my house. I am not so sure they are that good of an idea.

 

[Arik]

Honestly though I've seen a lot of them installed in friends cars. Most were done by professionals and none took off. The problem comes with " Do it yourself" when it's over your head. And with older stick shift cars that don't have to have the clutch depressed in order to start. Or the car was no fully in park.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[carpriver]

I have one in my F-150, Factory installed works great. I got one for my wife for Christmas a couple years ago. Had it installed at the dealership. I figured they knew best how to install it right and safely. When you opened the door it cut the engine. There was a work around so you could open the door with the motor running, but if you touched the brake peddle the motor cut off. You had to turn the key on before touching a peddle. IF you go for an oil change you are suppose to tell the worked about the auto starter. Some safety thing. I think I got a deal on the install when I bought the remote started kit from the dealer.

 

[jaykellogg]

I have heard there are sometimes a lot of electrical problems after installing these.

 

[angel71rs]

I've done a couple. Best advice I can give you is to solder connections, don't use taps or crimps. Unless you want to be chasing down intermittent issues down the road.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I'm still on the fence about these remote start thingies-even factory installed ones. I like to be sitting behind the wheel when the engine starts.

 

[Kanewpadle]

What year and model is the car? If it has a transponder (chip) key, you will need additional items.

 

[ohiojerry]

What year and model is the car? If it has a transponder (chip) key, you will need additional items.

Car is a 2010 Toyota Yaris. I believe it has a traditional key but has a keyless entry fob thing.

 

[RYNO]

With my brothers help I installed one on a 2000 Ranger. The first time I tried it, no problems. The next time I hit the button the starter stayed engaged when the engine running, frying the starter. The remote start unit was then removed.

I had one installed by a local shop on my F150 maybe 5 years ago, it has worked perfect. Just remember when you get in to not turn the key to the start position as the starter will engage/grind. I did that once or twice by mistake. They are nice on cold days to have the truck all warm and toasty or cool during the summer heat.

 

[GKC]

They are nice on cold days to have the truck all warm and toasty or cool during the summer heat.

I was wondering what the purpose would be for most people. I was thinking more along the lines of making sure the car hadn't been wired with explosives or something...which I was wondering how that would fit in this thread.

Frankly, while it might be nice to have a warm or cool car, it seems to me to be an unnecessary gimmick that is just something else that can go wrong.

 

[Clean Break]

I just send my daughter out in the cold to start the Dodge 2500; been doing it since she was nine. CW

 

[Kanewpadle]

Car is a 2010 Toyota Yaris. I believe it has a traditional key but has a keyless entry fob thing.

Run the VIN by your local dealer and they can tell you for sure. I believe it's an option on the Yaris. If it does have a chip, you need a "box" that holds a chip key so the car will start. Won't start without it.

Don't know the proper term for the "box" but I have seen them wired in with the remote start module.