Remote Start Install, 2009 Gmc Sierra

ironhead3fan · August 28, 2009

I am told by my dealer that my truck is remote start ready. All I have to do is buy the remotes, and they program it to work. Is there a way to do this without having to go to the dealer for this?

brims · August 28, 2009

The dealer has to call up a GM number and get a new code to program into one or more of your computers, don't know if anyplace else would have the subscriptions or whatever is needed to get this new number from GM.

The other option is going aftermarket for cheaper and and better equipment.

ScottyBoy · August 28, 2009

From what I've hears, the factory remote starts are crap. They have no range whatsover (like less than 50 feet) My brother's GF has an impala with the factory remote start. He said unless its with about a 50 foot range its useless. He also said you can NOT unlock the doors with the enginne running. You have to shut the engine down, then unlock the doors then start it again. I'm much happier with my 2way Autopage alarm/remote start. I have a long range to lock, unlock, start,I can even check the interior temperature with my remote. I press a button then a second later the remote gets feedback from the truck and it displays the temp on my remote's LCD screen. I can also set it into "timer mode" say if I want my truck to start automatically at a preset time. Like I can set my truck to start at 6:30 every morning regeradless of whether I press the remote or not. That comes in real handy in winter, you can always get into a warm toasty truck, even if you would forget to remote start it while getting ready for work. Only drawback is your gas mileage goes to all hell as you are getting 0 miles per gallon while the truck is itiing there warming up.

pwall · August 28, 2009

<snip>
He also said you can NOT unlock the doors with the enginne running. You have to shut the engine down, then unlock the doors then start it again.

<snip>

My '07 doesn't work this way. When the truck is remote-started, I can unlock the doors with no issue. Truck stays running.

ScottyBoy · August 28, 2009

<snip>
He also said you can NOT unlock the doors with the enginne running. You have to shut the engine down, then unlock the doors then start it again.

<snip>

My '07 doesn't work this way. When the truck is remote-started, I can unlock the doors with no issue. Truck stays running.

Maybe they changed it

Her car is a 2006 Impala SS with factory remote start.

mbaee · August 28, 2009

<snip>
He also said you can NOT unlock the doors with the enginne running. You have to shut the engine down, then unlock the doors then start it again.

<snip>

My '07 doesn't work this way. When the truck is remote-started, I can unlock the doors with no issue. Truck stays running.

Maybe they changed it

Her car is a 2006 Impala SS with factory remote start.

I had an '04 Malibu LS with factory remote start. I could lock/unlock the doors with the engine running no problem. It also seemed to work much further than 50 feet. I miss it now that I traded in the Malibu for my Silverado.

Does anyone know the rough price that the dealers charge for the remote start installs? Mine isn't remote start ready.

ScottyBoy · August 28, 2009

I wouldn't go to the dealer for a remote start. Deal with a reputable alarm/stereo shop. Most dealers sub out all their audio/video and alarm work to car stereo/alarm shops anyways. Or else they have a person from the stereo shop come to the dealership and perform the work at the dealership. And always ask if the installer is MECP certified, a reputable shop will have certified installers.

mbaee · August 29, 2009

I wouldn't go to the dealer for a remote start. Deal with a reputable alarm/stereo shop. Most dealers sub out all their audio/video and alarm work to car stereo/alarm shops anyways. Or else they have a person from the stereo shop come to the dealership and perform the work at the dealership. And always ask if the installer is MECP certified, a reputable shop will have certified installers.

I realize it's probably more expensive and you have a good point, but since my truck is only 3 months old, I'd rather have the dealer install it so it's covered by my 5 year warranty.

I've actually installed 2 of them before - one in a previous car and one in my sister's car. They're not that difficult if you have good wiring diagrams.

ScottyBoy · August 29, 2009

I wouldn't go to the dealer for a remote start. Deal with a reputable alarm/stereo shop. Most dealers sub out all their audio/video and alarm work to car stereo/alarm shops anyways. Or else they have a person from the stereo shop come to the dealership and perform the work at the dealership. And always ask if the installer is MECP certified, a reputable shop will have certified installers.

I realize it's probably more expensive and you have a good point, but since my truck is only 3 months old, I'd rather have the dealer install it so it's covered by my 5 year warranty.

I've actually installed 2 of them before - one in a previous car and one in my sister's car. They're not that difficult if you have good wiring diagrams.

If having a warranty on the remote start is what you're worried about any REPUTABLE shop will give you a lifetime warranty on anything they sell and install. Although some shops will not warranty the remotes are they are subject to much more abuse than the actual remate start unit. And if you're worried about the warranty on you're truck, installing aftermarket accessories can not void you're warranty. The dealer has to PROVE that whatever you installed (the remote start for example) is actually what caused damage to your truck. I'd rather have a better unit and a lifetime warranty than buy one from the dealer. A lot of dealers will only seel you what THEY want you to have as well, if you go to a good shop, you have the final say so on what get put in your truck. Some dealers will only sell what they cal "Genuine GM accessories". I know DEI (the company that makes Viper Python ad Clifford) makes alarms for GM dealers to sell. It actually says GM on the unit instead of DEI.

I'm just sayin...for what the dealer will charge you, you can get a better unit or one with more features and a lifetime warranty. I know thats what I'd do if was in the market for one. But the end choice is up to you whether you go to the dealer or to an alarm shop, go where you feel you will get a better product, better install, and better warranty.

mbaee · August 29, 2009

If having a warranty on the remote start is what you're worried about any REPUTABLE shop will give you a lifetime warranty on anything they sell and install. Although some shops will not warranty the remotes are they are subject to much more abuse than the actual remate start unit. And if you're worried about the warranty on you're truck, installing aftermarket accessories can not void you're warranty. The dealer has to PROVE that whatever you installed (the remote start for example) is actually what caused damage to your truck. I'd rather have a better unit and a lifetime warranty than buy one from the dealer. A lot of dealers will only seel you what THEY want you to have as well, if you go to a good shop, you have the final say so on what get put in your truck. Some dealers will only sell what they cal "Genuine GM accessories". I know DEI (the company that makes Viper Python ad Clifford) makes alarms for GM dealers to sell. It actually says GM on the unit instead of DEI.
I'm just sayin...for what the dealer will charge you, you can get a better unit or one with more features and a lifetime warranty. I know thats what I'd do if was in the market for one. But the end choice is up to you whether you go to the dealer or to an alarm shop, go where you feel you will get a better product, better install, and better warranty.

That's good to know. I thought the most I'd get out of an alarm shop was a 1-2 year warranty.

Thanks for the info.

ScottyBoy · August 29, 2009

When I lived in New Orleans, I worked for an alarm shop. They gave lifetime warranties (or for as long as the purchaser owned the car) on all alarm systems except for the remotes. They also gave liftime warranties on all install labor for ANYTHING we installed. Say a problem arises down the line and its due to a faulty install, they would repair or replace whatever failed. They even offered a free "uninstall" on any and all equipment purchased there if the owner decided to sell or trade their car. But then they would charge to install it over again it they wanted it put in another vehicle.....

Call around and see what kind of warranty local shops offer. Also specifically ask what will be covered and what won't.

batmat1028 · November 8, 2009

I know this is a little late, but I had my local gm dealer install remote start on my 2008 gmc. I would have to disagree with the statement that most dealers sub-out the install (at least in this case). As stated in the earlier post, the dealership received a update for my truck, hooked up to it, pushed the update, keyed the new fobs to the truck, and sent me on down the road. it was $125, total with two fobs. took about 15 minutes once they got to it. the range is 200+ feet, and you can unlock the doors with the truck running. truck will run for 10 minutes, then kill itself. you can hit the start button again prior to that, and it will reset itself and run for 10 more minutes. you can only do that once. afterwords, you have to insert the key in the ignition to reset the system. I just traded the truck yesterday for a 2009 all terrain, which allready has the same system in it. I never had any trouble with the old one. IMO, there are several advantages to using the factory system vs. an aftermarket system. Aftermarket systems often offer more options than the factory systems, but when they go crazy, then they can be a nightmare to diagnose and repair.