Remote car starters

[tie_one_on]

Anyone know a lot about these. I'm looking to put them on an '00 Explorer and '03 Expedition. Both have auto trannys.
I'm hoping there is a brand that is simple to install, preferrable no cutting into wiring harnesses or at least minimal, in case I would decide to remove it.
I've seen places advertise them around $119 installed, however, I generally like to do my own work.
I'm looking for brand names and model numbers.
Thanks.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Remote car starters

My wife gave me one for last christmas. She bought a gift certificate for a Compustar 2-way model. It was like $350 installed.

I looked long and hard at doing one myself and frankly I was glad to have it done. Not sure if you have done much research, but the wiring can be extensive and rarely does the package come with everything you need. Such as alarm bypass.

Your Expedition will require the bypass for sure, as mine did. This can be done in a number of ways, although the cheap ones usually have a box in which you put a key and then stuff it up under the dash. The Box has the sensor to sense whatever is in the key and bypass the alarm. This does not always work well.

With my installed unit also came a lifetime warranty on the controller. If it fails they will rebuild or replace. They also will fix any problems with installation if they crop up.

BTW, the 2-way models have a longer distance and feedback to the controller that your signall was received. I can stand in my bedroom and hit the button to start the car. If it beeps I know it got the signal. If it beeps three times after that, I know it started.

this is the one I have..
URL:http://www.compustar.com/products/2WSSR.htm

 

[i386]

Re: Remote car starters

I'd like to have one of these one day as well. I have researched them some but not a lot. Some models can use your existing key fob to start the vehicle which I think is nice. I think my truck requires leaving the valet key in or near the ignition too which I'm not too crazy about.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Remote car starters

My dad had one on his Ford Taurus and now his Ford Fivehundred. Same thing as what Rogerwa said - you need a spare key hidden inside of a box somewhere in the car. This disables the factory ignition kill switch that is normally disabled by the micro-chip embedded in your factory key when you start your car.

Some of the larger electronics stores in this area won't even sell you the unit without installation. You can buy the same units online though, probably for less.


Funny story - I had a roommate years ago who was big into car electronics. He had just got a new Eclipse with a sun roof. He installed an alarm with auto-start and also had set it up to be able to roll down his windows and open his sunroof by pressing different buttons on his key chain remote.

Well, it rained pretty hard after he installed it. The next day, when the sun came out, he went to show it off to me. So, while he was sitting in the drivers seat, he preses the button to open his sunroof (which had a puddle of water on it)... As soon as he hit the button, the roof opens and dumps the puddle of water right into his lap and on his new leather seats.

He didn't think it was as funny as I did...

 

[DJ]

Re: Remote car starters

Both are available at your local Ford store as genuine accesories. A dealer installed item only as they require some programming.

They are OEM/plug and play. No splices, etc. Very reliable.

 

[jimr]

Re: Remote car starters

What ever you do DON"T buy a cheap on $119 is not worth it. I have removed some that have shorted out and fried a bunch of stuff. Get a good one and get it installed by a reputable shop. I know of no aftermarket ones that don't require splicing into the vehicle and yes you need a key hidden what you do is get the dealer to sell you a key and program it but not cut it so if found it cannot be used to start the vehicle.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Remote car starters

What ever you do DON"T buy a cheap on $119 is not worth it. I have removed some that have shorted out and fried a bunch of stuff. Get a good one and get it installed by a reputable shop. I know of no aftermarket ones that don't require splicing into the vehicle and yes you need a key hidden what you do is get the dealer to sell you a key and program it but not cut it so if found it cannot be used to start the vehicle.

Gladded I dropped by this thread. We to were looking into remote starter as a christmas gift for a family member. Sears had theres on sale in there automotive department but 99 models and newer (if I'm not mistaken on the year) had to have an extra component installed to bypass something in these newer vehicles. Now I can't remember how it was explained to me but the guy did explain it very well when we checked in on these systems at sears. They had them on sale for $89 plus the add on that was needed was $50 I believe. I didn't ask if they installed the systems there or not.

But after reading Jimr's post I am a little scared to touch them cheaper systems myself now. There are car audio dealers at least around where I live that installs all these accessories. I had electric locks installed on my 2006 F150 and you wouldn't think that when locking the truck that the lights would flash with an add on remote locking system but they flash when locking the truck. From what I understand allot of the car audio places will install nearly any accessory that is made for a car or truck. The audio dealer I ended up going to also gets allot of our local ford dealer's business and the ford dealer also recomended them as well to other customers. I did shop around (when I got my remote door locks) for the best brand, warranty, price, and knowledge of the people doing the work. I also made sure that the installation of the accessory would not void my extended warrenty on my truck. I actually had a problem with the remote lock system on my truck, I took the truck to them and they did fix the problem free of charge. Hopefully this will be of some help.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Remote car starters

I would suggest having it installed. I put one in my wifes 99 Montana. It was a pain in the arse. Lots of time spent on my back under the dash looking for certain wires. The instructions were pretty good in that they told you what wires and colors to look for but it was still a pain. We had to have the spare key also. Never thought about NOT having it cut as an anti theft measure though. We kept a key on a zip tie on the gas door that wasn't programmable so if locked out we could get in though.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Remote car starters

The audio dealer I ended up going to also gets allot of our local ford dealer's business and the ford dealer also recomended them as well to other customers. I did shop around (when I got my remote door locks) for the best brand, warranty, price, and knowledge of the people doing the work. I also made sure that the installation of the accessory would not void my extended warrenty on my truck. I actually had a problem with the remote lock system on my truck, I took the truck to them and they did fix the problem free of charge. Hopefully this will be of some help.

Wildmanimal, it's possible that there is an accessory for your remote door lock that adds on remote start.

Might want to check with your audio dealer to see what they can do - one remote to lock/unlock and start the truck.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Remote car starters

Wildmanimal, it's possible that there is an accessory for your remote door lock that adds on remote start.

Might want to check with your audio dealer to see what they can do - one remote to lock/unlock and start the truck.

Yes I'm sure there is a way to set my remote from the remote lock system to also activate the remote start if I end up doing this in the future. There is an unlock and lock button then there is a programmable button also on the remote. They did tell me that if I ever wanted to add an alarm or any other accessory that they can make it work with the same remote.

As long as they can set the frequency or whatever they need to set to match the remote I already have it should work fine. My next goal for my truck (and it won't be anytime soon) is having electric windows installed. I plan on dressing her up with all the goodies when I get the money to spare and time to have it done.

I appreciate that jsfinn.

 

[Fish n Geer]

Re: Remote car starters

Sure dont regret our purchase of a combo remote starter alarm system lock unlock from Code Alarm we had installed in the van.Eventually going to get one installed in Kellys truck.The paperwork claims it can be started a mile away?Dont know about that yet.Know i can be in Walmart or wherever and fire it up when ready so its toasty warm inside or cool when i want it.Love it love it love it.

 

[Pony]

Re: Remote car starters

I have a remote start that is part of my alarm system. I have the Viper 771 XV. I absolutely love it.

Luckily the installers from work helped me install the whole system. It really can be very tricky to get these things to work right. With mine, you can start the vehicle via a tach sensor or volt sensor. My truck likes to rev up to 1500 at start up and then fall back to about 500. This was just under the tach setting and the thing wuld keep turning off and restarting. Finally we ended up using the voltage meter.

I would definately recommend getting it installed. There is just too much to screw up and a lot of things to fine tune.

 

[proples]

Re: Remote car starters

There are two ways to bypass the Ford transponder system ( chip in the key ) , the one you guys have been talking about where you hide a preprogramed key in a module in the vehicle . And one that does not require a key to be left in the vehicle . It programs to the vehicle just like a new key and is activated by the remote start system, so there is no loss of the factory security feature, and no hidden key for someone to find. Heres a link where you can enter your vehicle and see what is avalible. http://www.xpresskit.com/index.aspx .
As far as Fords go, the ones we use the most and have verry few problems with are the 555FW (no key required for operation) and the 556UW (hidden key).

Hope this helps