Remote car starters

[elwilli87]

im looking at buying a remote starter for my 02 Tahoe but im not sure what brand to get. do you all have any favorites or suggestions. thanx

 

[Kaboom]

Im going to have a viper installed on my 02 yukon in a couple of weeks.I have always used Viper and never had any problems.They have plenty of options you can add at later dates or when you buy it

 

[elwilli87]

are there any other brands or is this the top of the line? I need a practical one, nothing to fancy but nothing to cheap.

 

[GTO2050]

I just had one installed on my 02. works great and the remote is tiny, measuring about 1" all around.

 

[JKmotorsports]

Any DEI products are great. DEI makes Viper, Hornet, Python, Valet, Sidewinder, and many others. They also bought out Clifford. DEI has been in the auto security market for years and have the most innovative security integration products you can find. The new Viper remote start system with DSM technology extends the range of the system up to a mile in ideal conditions. Compare that to some other systems which only go up to about 1/4 mile if you're lucky. You'll also get numerous channel outputs that can be configured in many different ways as far as polarity, momentary, or latching outputs. This way you can have control over your defroster, heated seats, aux lighting, etc. I have the Viper 791 RS in three of my current cars. I've installed just about every alarm system out there in the 16 or so years I've been installing, and DEI products have by far been the best in every aspect from installation to end user.

 

[mnylen]

I went to a DEI dealer that had stopped working with their products and was not pushing Crimestopper. Their two way remote looked very cheesy. Anyone know anything about Compustar prducts? Need 2 way. '03 Tahoe LT -M

 

[elwilli87]

well i decided to opt for the viper 791xv. although iv only had for a day it seems to work very well. plus this is my first remote start/alarm:cool2: . Ill keep you all updated on later progress. :thumbsup:

 

[JKmotorsports]

well i decided to opt for the viper 791xv. although iv only had for a day it seems to work very well. plus this is my first remote start/alarm:cool2: . Ill keep you all updated on later progress. :thumbsup:

Cool:thumbsup: Did you have them install any other options like defrost or heated seats, etc?

 

[elwilli87]

no. they told me that it wouldnt work on some cars. but you can get the seats to heat up also. WTF.:mad2: Is this easy to do.

 

[elwilli87]

the only thing that it does is it turns it on, turns it off, keeps it running when i take off the key, and of course the alarm. what other options is there for this thing?

 

[JKmotorsports]

the only thing that it does is it turns it on, turns it off, keeps it running when i take off the key, and of course the alarm. what other options is there for this thing?

The 791 has a few auxillary channels, so you can do a lot with it. And the installer who told you that it wouldn't work has more learning to do. You can use the aux outputs on the alarm to duplicate just about any switched electrical function you have in your truck. Defrost, memory seats, heated seats, wipers, all interior and exterior lighting configurations, etc, etc. On one of my last cars I shaved the entire body, including the door handles. I integrated a channel on my older 790 unit to pop open my driver door, another channel to open the passenger door, another to open both at the same time, one for the hatch, and another to control my power window module. There's almost no limit to what you can control with the aux channels. You just need to have someone who knows what they're doing and how to properly integrate into various circuits.

 

[elwilli87]

thanx. well i guess im going to have to ask around and see if i can find some one that can do some things to my 791.

 

[Tim04Tahoe]

Will the Viper 791 do this and instructions/support?

Any DEI products are great. <CUT> You'll also get numerous channel outputs that can be configured in many different ways as far as polarity, momentary, or latching outputs. This way you can have control over your defroster, heated seats, aux lighting, etc. I have the Viper 791 RS in three of my current cars. I've installed just about every alarm system out there in the 16 or so years I've been installing, and DEI products have by far been the best in every aspect from installation to end user.

JK, how is the user manual on the Viper 791 RS? I am sure, by now, you don't even have to look at them. But, I want to put a system in my Tahoe that controls the heated seats, sets memory seats to driver 1, defrost, remote start, and door locks (I think that's everything). I have installed only 1 other remote start that hooked into the door locks as well. You could actually download customized instructions for your particular vehicle. This was from Bulldog. I don't think they are around anymore, though. Anyway, will I need to pick up a meter and see whether something is pulsing a particular voltage, or will their instructions tell me exactly what to do? Also, my wife has a 2008Toyota Sienna with its own keyfob that controls unlocking the doors, as well as opening both side doors (motorized) and the tailgate door (also motorized). Would the Viper 791 be able to open all those doors? Would I have to meter them. Or is Vipers phone support or manual good enough to walk me through it? I know doing all those things makes it more complicated. We called Toyota and they gave us a number to another shop, because they don't install remote starts anymore. This shop wanted to charge $250 for remote start, only, and we would have 2 keyfobs. The original that controls all the doors and locks and a seperate one that would start the vehicle. We would rather have 1 keyfob that does it all.

 

[JKmotorsports]

Tim04Tahoe,
The manual will tell you what each aux channel is capable of and which channels can be programmed to be pulsed or latched. Depending on which circuit of the vehicle you are tying into, you may or may not need relays. You'll also need a Class II data bus interface. You can use part no. 1700G or 1701G from DEI to interface with the locks and passkey system. As for the van, the 791 can be installed to operate the power sliding doors and liftgate as well. Not knowing your technical background, I'm not sure if you would be able to interface it yourself or not. It's definitely going to be more complicated than an older vehicle with less options. Keep in mind that there are various computers and everything is controlled by logics and parts are easily fried if you do something wrong.I know having a professional install all these options are somewhat expensive. But it can easily get twice as expensive or more if you burn up a module or computer, etc.

 

[Tim04Tahoe]

Another wrench to throw in.

JK,
I would probably be better off having it installed by someone else. Thanks for the info. My wife called Toyota and they said that the reason they don't install remote starts is because....Well, I'll just paste the email she sent me.

I called back to Toyota and asked if they knew anyone who actually installed Toyota key remotes or why they didn't and he said Toyota advises against it because it's bad for your engine. It moves cold oil and blasting your defroster causes circulation of cold air and it's bad for your lubrication and it's bad for gas mileage and if you have a remote start you need your oil changed more often because it causes build up in your engine and he said no dealership will do it because no manufacturer wants to condone you damaging your engine, they want your vehicle to run well. He said the best thing for cold days is to jump in and go as soon as possible and that my car will never reach a warm temp while idling in the driveway that only driving will actually warm up my oil and engine and therefore my cabin.
Did you know all that? I'm going to look around on the internet and see if I can find anything to back this up. Seems odd to me. I've never heard that before.

So, she found a bunch of websites that backed up his advice, but this one is probably the most concise. I still am not 100% believing this, though.

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/communities-...-communities/articles/idling-myths.cfm?attr=8

 

[ATL-Chief]

I agree with U guys on the DEI products; can't go wrong with them!:thumbsup: And the tech support is good as well. Make sure U register your product as well so in case of any unfortunate vehicle theft/break-ins, there is some insurance advantages and reward programs too!

 

[JKmotorsports]

JK,

...I called back to Toyota and asked if they knew anyone who actually installed Toyota key remotes or why they didn't and he said Toyota advises against it because it's bad for your engine. It moves cold oil and blasting your defroster causes circulation of cold air and it's bad for your lubrication and it's bad for gas mileage and if you have a remote start you need your oil changed more often because it causes build up in your engine and he said no dealership will do it because no manufacturer wants to condone you damaging your engine, they want your vehicle to run well. He said the best thing for cold days is to jump in and go as soon as possible and that my car will never reach a warm temp while idling in the driveway that only driving will actually warm up my oil and engine and therefore my cabin.
Did you know all that? I'm going to look around on the internet and see if I can find anything to back this up. Seems odd to me. I've never heard that before.

Parts of it makes sense but there's some of it that sounds like they are second guessing consequences. If it was so bad, why is it offered factory direct on GM vehicles. And I've installed dealer application systems at dealerships for years as well. True, deposits aren't burned off the plugs while idling if it's not hot enough, but eventually will once the engine is at normal operating temps. And "blasting the defroster causes circulation of cold air" (per Toyota)? Yea, until the vehicle warms up after a couple minutes. That's the whole point of RS, so you can start the vehicle allow it warm up before you get into a 30 degree interior, or cool down in the summer time. Idling will warm up the engine and vehicle enough to warm the coolant and interior after only a couple minutes. Toyota just has a different frame of mind I guess. No wonder the new Tundra is so ugly.

 

[Tim04Tahoe]

I agree with you

See, the other thing that I didn't like was the "blasting cold air." I have a "smart" heater/air that can be set to auto and won't blast any air until the engine warms up a little. So, that part doesn't even apply to me.

I didn't know about the whole deposits on the spark plugs. Is that the only piece or can it also clog your fuel injectors? Or is this another mute point because once you do drive, they all get cleaned/burnt off? Is this another mute point when using the remote start during the summer because it is so warm?

When I used my remote start in the past on a previous vehicle, I never let it run for more than 10 minutes. I think it actually turned itself off after 10 minutes anyway. I was usually out there within 5. Just enough time for the heater to start melting snow on the windshield.

As for the new Tundra...I actually test drove an 08 and really liked the ride and how things were set up inside. It had the 5.8L engine in it and had plenty of power. It was nice.

 

[JKmotorsports]

Honestly, I don't see any harm with remotes starts and allowing the vehicle to idle for a few minutes, besides the burning of fuel.
And the Tundra is nice in terms of power and the way it drives. I just don't think it looks good

 

[str8wkd1]

Im with JK on this DEI all the way I have a 791 in my 03 kon and love it have a older python in the Cav (still dei) and my mom has a Clifford in her Liberty and none have ever had an isue I have alwayes used DEI exsept when I had my 05 wrangler 6 speed I used a Copmpu star (wasnt thrilled with) because they only ones for sticks then that was reliable untill like last month when DEI came out with there new unit thats not operated by cable on shifter