Another Remote Start Thread....

[jdubya]

I searched the forum and found a lot of information regarding this topic but the problem is that a lot of them are posts regarding problems with the remote start and there is no follow up to the solutions. I am thinking about ordering one for my Truck and would like to have the following questions answered before I do so.

 

1) I have an 07 GMT900 LT has RPO code AP8 in the glove box and a manual HVAC control. If I buy the factory unit with the fobs that the dealer needs to program, will the heater and defrost come on when I remote start the truck once the engine heats up and if the outside temperature is lower than some magic number? I have seen threads where guys say that they are having problems with this topic and there is never any follow up. So, if there is someone who has the remote start with the LT package and the manual heater controls, can you tell me if this works? If not it is pointless and I will go with an aftermarket unit.

 

2) GM Parts Direct sells this kit for $170 shipped. Has anyone ordered this from them and had the dealer reprogram the truck? If so, what are you asking the dealer to do? I want to know what to tell them when I call or show up to minimize the blank stares followed by the proverbial "you can't do that" from the service manager that I normally get.

 

Thank You very much in advance....

[Ajsjdjdjfjdtgg]

I'd go with the dealership regardles. I have a viper aftermarket one but the software causes many problems. I had to take it back twice from the lights flashing constantly and the doors unlocking and locking 4 times in a row. It's annoying and it doesn't automatically turn the heat on for me (I have manual hvac) go with the dealership, it'll be the same price (mine was $220 out of the door) and if the defroster doesn't come on, it's no big deal. When you get out of your car just turn the heat all the way up

[knightr]

If you have the remote starter prep package(ap8), then all you do is buy the GM remote start package(OEM), which

contains two RS key fobs & instructions. The dealer will call GM & using the key code on the instruction sheet and your

VIN. Once GM verifies that the key code is valid, then they will give your dealer tech the unlock code to unlock the

remote start in the BCM. Only the dealer can unlock the RS and the unlock code that is given him is VIN specific.

You can buy the remote start package from anybody as long as it is the OEM one made by GM.

I have the manual HVAC & when I remote start my truck, the blower speed and temp settings stay the same as when

I shut my truck off. If you have been driving a while & your inside temp gets too hot and you turn the blower & temp

down(winter), then remeber that the next time you RS your truck after sitting a while in the cold u are gonna want max

heat, so turn the blower and temp up before u shut it off.

 

It may be all high tech electronics, but it still needs input to be told what to do. It can't read our minds and spending

a little time understanding how it works and you will find out that it is a pretty neat gizmo.

[jdubya]

If you have the remote starter prep package(ap8), then all you do is buy the GM remote start package(OEM), which

contains two RS key fobs & instructions. The dealer will call GM & using the key code on the instruction sheet and your

VIN. Once GM verifies that the key code is valid, then they will give your dealer tech the unlock code to unlock the

remote start in the BCM. Only the dealer can unlock the RS and the unlock code that is given him is VIN specific.

You can buy the remote start package from anybody as long as it is the OEM one made by GM.

I have the manual HVAC & when I remote start my truck, the blower speed and temp settings stay the same as when

I shut my truck off. If you have been driving a while & your inside temp gets too hot and you turn the blower & temp

down(winter), then remeber that the next time you RS your truck after sitting a while in the cold u are gonna want max

heat, so turn the blower and temp up before u shut it off.

 

It may be all high tech electronics, but it still needs input to be told what to do. It can't read our minds and spending

a little time understanding how it works and you will find out that it is a pretty neat gizmo.

Thanks, I have no problem leaving the heat on as it will probably be on when I pull in at night anyway. I was just worried that some of the posts that I have see said that all of the internal electronics are shut off in remote start mode including the HVAC. If this was the case then the aftermarket would work better in that I could just leave the heater on....

[nickvrebel]

what some people get confused about, is on the auto climate control.

 

with auto climate control if you remote start it will decide for you if heat, heated seats or a/c is needed based on the outside temperature. The thing is, the heat on auto climate control does not blow full force until after the engine has reached an appropriate temperature, some people think that the system isn't working, when in fact the motor just isn't hot enough yet.

 

I can not comment on remote start with manual controls, I do not have that configuration.

[jdubya]

Ok, well I placed the order through the dealer yesterday afternoon. They wanted $195 for the kit which I pointed out the $170 price on GM Parts Direct and they matched it. $40 for programming. In all about $210. I will let you know how I like it.

 

One dealer wanted to charge $125 for the programming which told me that they never did one of these before or they are trying to gouge me. Neither are a good situation. The kit was pretty consistent at $195 for all of the dealers I called.

[JB Z71]

I'll comment on manual controls - I wish I had them. It is so much easier to adjust a dial than push a button.

 

But I do like how the auto decides what you need as far as heat ot cool. 6 of one half a dozen of another...

 

Either way, you are going to like the RS and you should have the longer range remotes too which is an advantage.

[impalabelt]

I'll add my .02 with my experience:

 

I have the manual HVAC controls and the factory 2-way RS; The climate controls are at whatever you left them at when you shut your truck off. If you left 'em on cold and high, it will be a'blowin' like a winter storm (east coast style) when you hop in. If you left 'em on heat and high, its like the Sahara. It does, however, automatically turn on my rear-defroster when it's freezing out, which I *really* do like.

 

Generally, the rest of the electronics are off or at preset levels until the key is inserted into the ignition and turned to "ON", then the truck jumps to life.

 

A side note: Which GM Engineer had the brilliant idea that the reverse lights should illuminate when using your remote lock/unlock? People start freaking and running from behind my truck every time I simply unlock the d***ed thing from a distance! Is there some safety regulation or reasoning behind it? Always found it slightly annoying, especially because the truck *is not* in reverse? Anyway, just a personal gripe!

 

Cheers everyone!

[jdubya]

I'll add my .02 with my experience:

 

I have the manual HVAC controls and the factory 2-way RS; The climate controls are at whatever you left them at when you shut your truck off. If you left 'em on cold and high, it will be a'blowin' like a winter storm (east coast style) when you hop in. If you left 'em on heat and high, its like the Sahara. It does, however, automatically turn on my rear-defroster when it's freezing out, which I *really* do like.

 

Generally, the rest of the electronics are off or at preset levels until the key is inserted into the ignition and turned to "ON", then the truck jumps to life.

 

A side note: Which GM Engineer had the brilliant idea that the reverse lights should illuminate when using your remote lock/unlock? People start freaking and running from behind my truck every time I simply unlock the d***ed thing from a distance! Is there some safety regulation or reasoning behind it? Always found it slightly annoying, especially because the truck *is not* in reverse? Anyway, just a personal gripe!

 

Cheers everyone!

Thanks for the input. Regarding the lighting, You can turn off the reverse lamps if you have the DIC. It is called approach lighting or perimiter lighting or something like that. keep in mind your headlights will no longer light up either....

[GPGuy]

I have recently purchased this remote start kit as well and I am having it installed at the dealer tomorrow afternoon. I will check back tomorrow on my experience with it.

[jdubya]

So I had this installed yesterday and my initial thoughts are positive. It works as it should. The HVAC controls come on to the settings I left them at and the defrost comes on which I was worried about. I think the 10 minute run time may be an issue down the road, even though you can push the button again to extend it.

 

I like the security that all the dealer had to do is reprogram my computer and not hack into any wires. It will give me some piece of mind down the road....

[dlewis1111]

So I had this installed yesterday and my initial thoughts are positive. It works as it should. The HVAC controls come on to the settings I left them at and the defrost comes on which I was worried about. I think the 10 minute run time may be an issue down the road, even though you can push the button again to extend it.

 

I like the security that all the dealer had to do is reprogram my computer and not hack into any wires. It will give me some piece of mind down the road....

 

Make sure that the decal about the dealer added remote start that comes in the kit gets affixes to the RPO code label in the glove box in case you have future programming issues.

[Nargg]

The first Chevy I owned with remote start was an HHR. It was manual A/C. The only time that was an issue was on those days that started out at 30 degrees in the morning, and ended up at 70 degrees at 5:00pm. If I forgot and left the heat on in the morning, it would be a toasty ride home!

[jdubya]

So I had this installed yesterday and my initial thoughts are positive. It works as it should. The HVAC controls come on to the settings I left them at and the defrost comes on which I was worried about. I think the 10 minute run time may be an issue down the road, even though you can push the button again to extend it.

 

I like the security that all the dealer had to do is reprogram my computer and not hack into any wires. It will give me some piece of mind down the road....

 

Make sure that the decal about the dealer added remote start that comes in the kit gets affixes to the RPO code label in the glove box in case you have future programming issues.

 

What does that look like? Does it stick over top of the old one or can you still see the old one?

[GPGuy]

Just got my factory remote start installed this afternoon and it works like a charm! This is the first vehicle I've every owned with that option. I can see this being something you get used to very quickly.