Hey everyone,

I wanted to get a remote start for my car, but I'm not sure about how it works and wanted to get some straight information (not the propaganda on the boxes or from the guys at the shop) from you guys.

few things I wanted to know

1) What should be the average price of the install and the system?

2) Any issues that make it weird to do an auto-start on a maxima? I have an auto if that helps.

3) Sometimes my car has some start up troubles. It's been this way since I bought the car 1 1/2 years ago and three Nissan dealerships haven't figured out what the problem is. It's not that big, but like once a week it sputters and doesn't start. If I wait five seconds and then try again it will sputter but will start. Will this cause problems with the remote start?

4) Can the car still be started up without remotely starting it?

5) What is a good brand/model?

Thanks guys...Sorry about the list, I must be on "list mode" today.

 

1) I don't know how much for just remote start.
2) There were no issues with my 2k2.
3) If it doesn't start when you push the button, then just wait 5 seconds, and push the button again.
4) Yes
5) I have a Clifford Alarm, the remote start is part of that... I am happy with it.

 

1) What should be the average price of the install and the system?

2) Any issues that make it weird to do an auto-start on a maxima? I have an auto if that helps.

3) Sometimes my car has some start up troubles. It's been this way since I bought the car 1 1/2 years ago and three Nissan dealerships haven't figured out what the problem is. It's not that big, but like once a week it sputters and doesn't start. If I wait five seconds and then try again it will sputter but will start. Will this cause problems with the remote start?

4) Can the car still be started up without remotely starting it?

5) What is a good brand/model?



I used to be an installer, so I will give you my .02 worth--

1. Around $400 would be pretty good for a quality alarm and a quality install. If yours has the transponder in the key it could be more.

2. Should be fairly straightforward. Make sure the shop has an MECP certified installer, that they HAVE done one before (both car and alarm), and that they SOLDER the connections. GET REFERENCES!!! If they mess something up it will be a nightmare!

3. I know DEI remote starts backwards and forwards, and that is all I will buy for my cars (installed many different kinds, those always gave me the least amount of problems and complaints.) When a DEI remote starter is activiated, it cranks for up to 10 seconds for the car to start. If it does and then dies, it will shut off for 10 seconds and try again, up to 3 times. So, your sputter problem should not be an issue.

4. A properly installed remote starter should not affect the normal operation of the vehicle.

5. Make sure you purchase something with a lifetime warranty and get it from a shop that has been around and will be in the future. Again, I recommend DEI (Viper, Hornet, Rattler, Clifford, Python......www.dei.com)

Hope this helps!

 

I also just thought of something...don't our keys have chips in them? how would the remote starter work?

 

I don't know how far back in the year models go, but my 2k3 does have one. You have to interface with the factory system. The "right" way to do it is setting the remote start up to emulate or fool the stock system into thinking the key is in the ignition with resistors, or even a secondary key hidden in the dash with an extra piece that transfers the signal. The wrong way would be to bypass this system or wiring it so that the actual key transponder is engaged all the time, thus making it possible to start with any key (or screwdriver) without the transponder.

 

wow...how would I explain all this to the guy working on the car to make sure it's done right?

 

Heh, taking a risk either way. Hopefully the installer will be friendly and not a jerk (many of are, some are real bad.) Make the sales people introduce you to him. Ask a bunch o' questions and see how he responds. Check for certifications, ask him if he solders his connections or not. I would ask him and the sales person how they get around the key transponder, see if they blow you off or give you specifics on how its done. Tell them not to bypass it, only utilize the emulation when it's remote starting.

Did I confuse you yet?

 

Hey Wasim,

Check with Pearl96Max on this. He does group deals, and has one still for the Hornet two-way alarm, auto-start. I got a pretty good price from him on it and have yet to install it though.

For the key there is a separate piece you need to buy to bypass the kill mode on the engine, I think it's about $20-30 more. He has that though available, just make sure you tell him your car year, and auto or stick. Auto start is much easier to install on an auto than a stick so you are good.

When I install mine, hopefully by the end of next week I'll let you know how it went. And how it's working.

 

where r u planning to get urs? i got mine from the dealership it works great but thats cuz i rarely use it

 

Remote start can usually be installed by itself for $150. It is best however to get a whole alarm system that includes a shock sensor etc. I have had mine for almost 3 years and have had no problems. The main problem that we encountered during installation was an impropper diagram showing the wrong tach wire and forgetting about the cold start wire. My installers are good and figured it out themselves but they've been doing it for years and I think the diagram is much better. Anyway, mine is a Clifford which is the best (that's why DEI bought them) and includes the option of a timed start (programmed in seconds) or by sensing via the tachometer when the engine has started. In your case with hesitation to start the tach way sounds to be the best it prevents overcranking in all circumstances. YOU DO HAVE TO BYPASS the chip in the key or the car will just crank and not turnover. To do this you can either get what is in my mind dangerous and have a transponder box with a key in it mounted in the car OR you can remove the chip from a key and mount it near the lock cylinder so you do not have a key in the car. The car can be started normally as if it was not there although in my case I never do because by using the remote starter also prevents grinding by turning the key at any time. Another huge feature that is overlooked is that with a whole alarm package is that even when the car is started if the hood is opened, the alarm sounded or the brake depressed before the key is inserted and turned to the on position the car will turn off. The hood part is a safety feature due to moving parts and preventing someone from starting it and then disabling the alarm getting by the starter interrupt. Sorry for the lengthy rambling, but hope it helps. I have a video located here of the remote starter in action.

EDIT: not sure if the link will work if you just click on it, but it does work if you right click and save it.

 

1) What should be the average price of the install and the system?

Viper550ESP can be had for under 400 installed, which contatins the RS system.

2) Any issues that make it weird to do an auto-start on a maxima? I have an auto if that helps.

no issues other than bypassing the chip using DEI PartNo. 555U, which wraps a wire around your key cylinder and and is also tapped into your RS, so that the chip is only active when RS is activated and dead when you use your key manually. i've already done this on mine and there really is no issue what so ever.

3) Sometimes my car has some start up troubles. It's been this way since I bought the car 1 1/2 years ago and three Nissan dealerships haven't figured out what the problem is. It's not that big, but like once a week it sputters and doesn't start. If I wait five seconds and then try again it will sputter but will start. Will this cause problems with the remote start?

as said before, a DEI RS will crank a few times before stopping. it will crank for 3 seconds. if it odesn't turn on, then it stops for 5 seconds and tries again. it does this 3-4 times.

4) Can the car still be started up without remotely starting it?

duh, yes it can. like any normal alarm.

5) What is a good brand/model?

viper is okay. if you dont' care for the whole remote with display and want something simple, the 550ESP (which is what i have) should be more than fine for you. lock/unlock/remote start/trunk release, and leaves 1 channel open which i used for controlling all my windows.

on a final note, if you're in the NY/NJ area, don will do ti for you, has done it for TONS of maxima's and you get to watch him do the job. you'll learn about most of the electronics too.

good luck man.

 

I'm was thinking about getting my viper 790 series installed at circuit city, do they solder there?

 

Unless you ask, then I would give it a .05% chance they would solder anything. If you do ask, I bet they give excuses about damaging wires and not being able to return to stock. Tapping wires is not neccessearily bad because it does allow you to return to stock. It's your call if it is neccessary, but I doubt CC is going to solder.

 

PoLo:

Who is this Don fellow and how can I find him? I am in NY and I could probably get to him.

also, weren't you the one who wanted those bulbs I was giving away? I still have them (on an unrelated note)

Wow, all this info is great, I think I have a pretty good idea of how this works now.