Ok Guys A Little Help

jrrod2004 · January 23, 2008

Simple question: Any recommendations for an aftermarket remote starter install for my truck (VIPER, Code Alarm etc). Dealer says that for my truck to become equipped factory setup it would run $650.00. I figure I can get something better for half that amount. I am looking for one that is RELIABLE and doesn't screw with the truck......simple as that........

akfireman · January 23, 2008

there are mainly two types sold here in the far north, Viper and AstroStart ,they are all around the price you quoted so basically it comes down to what you like best, I personally like the astrostart brand but i guess it comes down to what you like best.

ridnlow · January 23, 2008

I have a Viper remote start on mine that uses the factory keypad.. Total Cost - 100$

Model Viper 561T.. It is tied to the lock wire so when I press lock 3 times it will start.. Works great..

Bostonsfavson · January 23, 2008

Viper and Autostart are actually both made by the same company: Directed Electronics. They also make Avital and many other popular brands, any of which will work well for you Mike. I used to help my buddy install remote starters and I can say that the biggest decision you have to make (other than what features you want) is where to have the unit installed. Finding a quality shop that you know does good work is the main thing I would be concerned with. There are so many little things that can be messed up and overlooked. I can't tell you how many times we would end up fixing units that were not installed properly in the first place by other shops.

unit731 · January 23, 2008

Just a suggestion.

Good idea to ask whom and how this is going to be installed.

Installation is more important that product.

My $0.02

wvurhino · January 23, 2008

I just got a Viper 160 VX installed ay Best Buy. I really wanted something like my wife's Enclave.

It was around $200 for the starter itself and then another $160 for various relays and bypasses.

The pros: it starts my truck and I don't have to sit there waiting for the windows to defrost. I'm usually late for work and don't have a garage.

The cons: (its still pretty new so I have to figure this stuff out)

-new remote replaced my old remote. there are two settings and either the thing honks every time you do something or there is no honking when using the remote. I have it set to no honking. So that means I don't get the feedback when I am walking away and I want to make sure I have locked my truck.

-If I get in and step on the brake before putting in the key, it shuts off. Not a problem, just have to change my ways of 4 years.

-Sometimes the heated seats are on and sometimes they are off. Gotta figure out what triggers them.

-The "factory alarm" is bypassed. Because I use the new remote, the alarm isn't set. So in the past if someone were to break the window and open the door, the horn would honk. Not any more.

Most of this stuff is just me learning how it works and adapting to the truck that I have had for 4 years now. I checked with the dealer first to see if I could get a factory setup because I like my wife’s. But nothing was available. I would have seriously considered $650 if it was a true factory system. But if it was just something rigged, I would have gone with this viper system.

One last thing. I am good with computers and cars and stereos and all that stuff. But there is no way I would attempt to install this myself. They took 5 hours and they are use to installing this on soccer suburbans and tahoes.

akfireman · January 23, 2008

Viper and Autostart are actually both made by the same company: Directed Electronics. They also make Avital and many other popular brands, any of which will work well for you Mike. I used to help my buddy install remote starters and I can say that the biggest decision you have to make (other than what features you want) is where to have the unit installed. Finding a quality shop that you know does good work is the main thing I would be concerned with. There are so many little things that can be messed up and overlooked. I can't tell you how many times we would end up fixing units that were not installed properly in the first place by other shops.

Just a suggestion.

Good idea to ask whom and how this is going to be installed.

Installation is more important that product.

My $0.02

I dont know who manufacturs the viper or astrostart, but I do know THE most importing thing is a good quality installer that knows what they are doing, I only go to the local Auto Trim Design here because I know they do quality installs and have had other installers of the other brands do a crappy job and then I have problems.

chevydriver37 · January 23, 2008

I had an Avital 4100 remote start installed in my Sierra WT. Then I saw that they had a power lock system, and had them install that well. About $350 for everything.

Since my truck didn't come with power locks at all, I had to have the plungers and hardware installed inside the doors. Everything works perfectly, except that there was no provision for a doorlock button. I honestly think they coulda mounted a switch, but I don't think the shop wanted to get into it too much more than installing the unit.

As I didn't want to run the locks off the remote all the time, they left me with a cable and two buttons.

I went over to www.the12volt.com for some advice on how to wire up a doorlock switch. They were very helpful. Have the parts on order. $15 bucks for an oem style switch. I'll mount it in a spot that looks good, and I'll be good to go.

Lincoln30 · January 23, 2008

Best Buy probably wasn't the best choice for installation. I think you can tie into the factory alarm and make it turn on and off with the lock/unlock signal from the Viper. A decent installer would have done this without asking and has access to alot of info online as to which wires in the vehicle to use and the location of the wires...in your case the BCM or drivers kick panel is the location (I don't recall which wires by color anymore).

wvurhino · January 24, 2008

Best Buy probably wasn't the best choice for installation. I think you can tie into the factory alarm and make it turn on and off with the lock/unlock signal from the Viper. A decent installer would have done this without asking and has access to alot of info online as to which wires in the vehicle to use and the location of the wires...in your case the BCM or drivers kick panel is the location (I don't recall which wires by color anymore).

yeah, best buy wasn't my choice. wife bought it for me for christmas. i would have preferred to get it from a higher end shop. i figure i can get it all straighten out later.

jrrod2004 · January 24, 2008

thanks, I will find a local installer here in austin to help me based on everybody's recommendations....hope they can use the factory alarm in concert with the remote start......

alaska511 · January 24, 2008

I have had 3 Viper Auto Starts, all worked flawlessly and have never had a problem, still have one that has been in service for 5 years through long Alaskan winters...way better range than this GM unit I have on my new truck

Bostonsfavson · January 24, 2008

Best Buy probably wasn't the best choice for installation. I think you can tie into the factory alarm and make it turn on and off with the lock/unlock signal from the Viper. A decent installer would have done this without asking and has access to alot of info online as to which wires in the vehicle to use and the location of the wires...in your case the BCM or drivers kick panel is the location (I don't recall which wires by color anymore).

I'll second Best Buy not being the Best Choice; I wouldn't take a vehicle there at gun point. I don't know what their policies are, but I know that Circuit City isn't even allowed to cut wires when installing products! They can only use taps (thank some prick with a law degree and too much time on his hands for that one).

jrrod2004 · January 24, 2008

Tell me about it, I never had to fix any truck at the dealership (being from corporate and all), but I had to 'prove' that an aftermarket remote start was the cause of this module failing, that harness roasting, or the battery dying - or worst of all, improper grounding which killed an entire truck (power was being returned back to the ground - idiot wired the power near the ground, causing the circuit to produce tiny arcs and thus blowing most of the fuses and damaging components in the process- FUBAR).

todoubled05 · January 24, 2008

viper 5900!! all the way. this is the best of the best. its a two way lcd fob alarm/starter lifetime warentee and a range of a mile +. the lcd fob tells u when the truck is started. also the lcd fob has a "pageing" system that alarts you when ur alarm goes off. and the remote start botton must be pressed and help for 3 seconds to start the truck. this prevent unwanted starts from bootons being mashed.in you pocket. a car/sterio shop in town installs them all day for 350$ really 400 cuz u need a modual.. do yourself a favor and don't go with the dealerships..