Remote Starter Options
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 181
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Remote Starter Options
So I have an 04 XLT and I have been thinking about getting a remote starter for those painfully cold mornings here in PA. I was wondering wether I should have my local ford dealer install one or if it would be okay to have a third party install one. I want something that is going to work well, and last a while. Thanks guys!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 736
Likes: 65
From: Edmonton, AB
x2, not hard at all...
*IF* you get a shop, just a few recommendations I like to throw out there:
- ALWAYS use a tach pickup wire (not all shops do). You can use voltage sensing (alternator sensing) or other methods but I have seen the odd vehicle where there's been starter overrunning resulting in the life of the starter being shorter. How often are you next to your vehicle when you remote start to hear it? The newer vehicles with smart start aren't so bad but I recently fixed a Viper setup on a Toyota that the unit couldn't tell the vehicle had started.
- Soldering - I still find some shops don't solder... I saw one where the main power wire was wrapped (not T-tapped even). With all of your accessories, heater, etc the power draw could create enough resistance to start a fire.
- Bypass module - depending on the module used, make sure it's wired so that it's only activated during the remote start process. I've worked on a Ford Explorer where the installer wired it on permanent basically throwing the chip key security out as it's always sending a signal. Additionally, the Ford computer lost the bypass module programming and was overpowering the key's chip so the person couldn't start the vehicle.
Nothing bad about the shops but some of these shops don't make very much money installing them and don't pay their tech's lots. The goal in those cases is get the vehicle in, and get it out quickly.
As far as shops or dealers... I've seen dealers do just as bad jobs and charge much more. Their hourly rate is higher and that's fair but I don't imagine they love doing them. Some dealers out my way just sub it out to known remote start installer shops.
As edwin108 wrote, they're not that difficult to install if you're interested in doing yourself. I personally run the Compustar as I have all of the programmers and such but I'd say (this could open up debate) the Compustar and Viper are pretty top models. Autostart, Ultrastart, and a few others are out there too. My preference is either the Compustar or Viper as I've had good luck and service with both. I can also internet update my Compustar as needed (although most people will NEVER need this - I just like new features). Nustart or ArticStart are just subdivisions of Compustar.
*IF* you get a shop, just a few recommendations I like to throw out there:
- ALWAYS use a tach pickup wire (not all shops do). You can use voltage sensing (alternator sensing) or other methods but I have seen the odd vehicle where there's been starter overrunning resulting in the life of the starter being shorter. How often are you next to your vehicle when you remote start to hear it? The newer vehicles with smart start aren't so bad but I recently fixed a Viper setup on a Toyota that the unit couldn't tell the vehicle had started.
- Soldering - I still find some shops don't solder... I saw one where the main power wire was wrapped (not T-tapped even). With all of your accessories, heater, etc the power draw could create enough resistance to start a fire.
- Bypass module - depending on the module used, make sure it's wired so that it's only activated during the remote start process. I've worked on a Ford Explorer where the installer wired it on permanent basically throwing the chip key security out as it's always sending a signal. Additionally, the Ford computer lost the bypass module programming and was overpowering the key's chip so the person couldn't start the vehicle.
Nothing bad about the shops but some of these shops don't make very much money installing them and don't pay their tech's lots. The goal in those cases is get the vehicle in, and get it out quickly.
As far as shops or dealers... I've seen dealers do just as bad jobs and charge much more. Their hourly rate is higher and that's fair but I don't imagine they love doing them. Some dealers out my way just sub it out to known remote start installer shops.
As edwin108 wrote, they're not that difficult to install if you're interested in doing yourself. I personally run the Compustar as I have all of the programmers and such but I'd say (this could open up debate) the Compustar and Viper are pretty top models. Autostart, Ultrastart, and a few others are out there too. My preference is either the Compustar or Viper as I've had good luck and service with both. I can also internet update my Compustar as needed (although most people will NEVER need this - I just like new features). Nustart or ArticStart are just subdivisions of Compustar.
Last edited by homer; Dec 16, 2014 at 12:30 AM.