Remote Start Selection

[returnofsid]

Hi all! First time poster and glad to be here!!

 

We have an 02 Suburban K1500 4X4, Auto Transmission, 5.7L. We're wanting to install a Remote Start system in it, but I have no idea where to begin. We do have a factory alarm system but do NOT have the system where you need the factory key. I've heard that matters.

 

So, all advice and suggestions are welcome! When shopping, what should I be looking for? What questions should I be asking?

 

 

Hmmm, I now see that I'm not a "first time poster." LOL

[MikeNH]

Don't go to Best Buy or any other chain. Try to find a car audio/accessory shop in your area with a good reputation as they'll have much better kits and much better workers than the big box stores.

[kstruckcountry]

I'd go with Compustar, I've heard very good things about em.

[returnofsid]

I just got off the phone with a local audio place (Sounds on Wheels, in Spokane, WA) that's been owned, locally, since 1979. The owner, Bob, actually asked the phone and answered all of my questions. I asked a lot of questions, including about their business and employees. His newest installer has been with the company for 8 years. Before the owner bought it, he worked there. Before Bob purchased the business, he worked for a guy who owned 27 Sounds on Wheels locations, throughout the Pacific Northwest. Bob is now the sole owner of the local location. That all left me with a warm feeling, as I do like to support local businesses, whenever possible.

 

He explained two different options to me.

 

1. A 1 button fob that only starts the vehicle. I'd still need to use the factory fob to lock/unlock/set alarm.

2. A 4 button fob that replaces the factory fob. I can lock/unlock/set alarm and start, along with other options that can be had, at additional expense.

 

He explained that option #2 would work slightly different than the factory fob, in the following ways.

 

Factory fob, lock key, press once to lock doors, press again to set alarm and horn sounds.

Press unlock once to unlock driver's door, press again to unlock all doors.

 

Remote Start Fob, press lock button once to lock all doors and set alarm, horn will NOT honk, by default. It can be wired to honk the horn, but this will also cause the horn to honk when the vehicle is started. (I don't think my neighbors would appreciate the horn honking, at 4:30AM so would probably go with the default installation.

Press unlock once and alarm is disabled and all doors unlock. Can also be wired to unlock ONLY driver's door on first press and all other doors on second press, at an additional $39.00.

There are several different options that the 4th button can be programmed to do, at extra expense, of course.

 

Single button FOB system is $239.00 Installed, includes a second FOB

4 button FOB system is $299.00 Installed, Includes a second FOB

 

For only $60.00, I'd definitely go with the 4 button option.

 

They only sell these systems IF they install them, since they offer a pretty good warranty and can only offer that warranty if they are the installers.

 

I do not know the brand of the system, but do have knowledge of this business. He has a really good reputation.

[MikeNH]

Where are you in the PNW? Walt from ADC Mobile is a site sponsor here and he is somewhere in Washington State and he is someone you can trust.

[kgrumbach]

Don't know if your set on the one your talking about, but you might check out Clifford. I've got a 1 mile remote from them and never had a problem

with it after several years. The longest I've started it was 1/2 mile across a field, its never failed to start where I regularly use it.

[20Tahoe12LT]

I am partial to DEI's alarms & remote starters.