Anyone know where to find a good remote start?

 

Welcome to the forum...

Directed Electronics Inc. (DEI) is the best you can buy. DEI makes Viper, Python, Sidewinder and some other lines of car security and remote starts. DEI products work great and last forever as long as they are installed correctly. You can check out www.directed.com to find a DEI shop in your area and get more info on the different models.

If you want to buy and install your remote start yourself, www.sonicelectronix.com sells Viper, Python and some other brands of alarms and remote starts as well. They sell the stand-alone Viper 4103V remote start for $69.99 with free shipping. That is a great price on Viper.

Jimmy

 

Ok thanks how long will it stay on for before shutting off? And will I have to turn it over again when I put the key in?

 

DEI remote starts are programmable. You can program it to run for 12 minutes, 24 minutes or an hour when it is remote started. When you remote start the truck, all you have to do is unlock the door either manually or with the remote if you have power locks and have them connected to the remote start, then just put your key in the ignition and turn it to "Run". You have to do that anyway to put the truck in gear. You don't need to turn it over because the engine is already running. Once the system sees the ignition key is on, the remote start turns off and the truck is running normally. It depends on how it is installed but usually the remote start is connected to the brake switch so if you put your foot on the brake without first turning the key to "Run" the engine stops running. Remote starts are "supposed" to be interfaced with the parking brake too, as a safety feature it is not supposed to engage unless the parking brake is on. Not all installers will wire it that way, it makes things a bit too complicated for the vehicle owner.

One of the cool things about DEI is there are a lot of cool and useful features you can program into their alarms and remote starts. Depending on what you want to spend and your level of technical ability you can do a lot of tricks with DEI.

Jimmy

 

Ok do you have one of these?

 

No, but I have installed a lot of remote starts and alarms. I used to be a professional installer and worked with DEI for about 12 years.

Jimmy

 

I have a Black Widow Remote start setup on my truck. I don't know anything about the install as it was already on my truck when I bought it. The dealer didn't know it had it and I found out a few days later while messing with the remote.
I am pretty sure that most of these systems are programmable. Mine runs for 10 minutes or so after being started.
The only thing I would change about mine is you only have to press the start button once and it starts. I have accidentally started it a several times.
I really like it.

 

Do I have to buy something besides the kit like an install kit or something else I've heard a lot of people say it ends up costing more than just the remote start kit

 

I have been out of the car audio business for a long time and do not know what year your truck is. However I do know if you add a stand-alone remote start with no alarm you should not need any extra modules, and the installation is pretty straightforward. You might need external relays if you want to interface the remote start with your electric door locks. If you have the later 2000 and up model Dakota with the single wire door lock system you will need 2 relays and 2 resistors, or you can buy a door lock relay kit that makes it a little easier to wire in to the door lock system. If you add a remote start/alarm unit you may need an interface kit for it that bypassed the factory vehicle immobilizer system. If you have a gray colored ignition key, you will need the interface. It might be best to call Sonic Electronix and/or DEI or maybe check at a good local independent car audio shop. They can tell you for sure.

 

When I bought my Ram in '03, I had an electronics store put a Viper starter in. The next year, I had them do my wife's Durango with the same. I know ten years is a long time, but none of our remotes work anymore and the Durango was starting for no reason occasionally. Remotes are pricey and I wouldn't be able to figure out how to program them anyway.

A buddy of mine owns a truck accessory store, so he got me a deal last year for putting Autopages in the Durango and the Dakota I recently purchased. He found that "Better Buy" did a horrible job on installation, which explained the "starting on its own" problem. Connections came undone and all the wiring was hanging only inches above her feet.

Each Autopage came with a two-way LCD remote and a one-way for the second keyholder. Each remote is programmable for up to 2 vehicles. Now I have one remote on my keyring that works the locks and starter for the 2 most driven vehicles in our garage. Also, my buddy's shop will remove one of their systems and put it in another vehicle for a small fee and does free replacement on remotes when They go bad!

I guess what I'm trying to say is 1) Find the features you like. 2) If you're not going to do it yourself, have a professional do the install not some 17 year old wannabe mechanics at the local electronics store. And 3) Check the Warranty/Replacement procedures. Once you figure all that out, ENJOY!