remote start

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
I am not familiar with how Acuras power moding systems and computers work.
Acura does have a very reliable electrical systems to begin with, not to mention the factory anti theft system.
I would consult your Acura dealership to obtain further information, as they would be the most qualified to answer this.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[larry5868]

C4C5,

Sorry to put you through all of that. A remote start just wouldn't be worth the potential problems which could occur.

You've helped me with several issues and I value your advise.

Larry

 

[kingman]

Remote Starters

Hi

While l cannot talk about C5's we have at least 4-5 cars at my train station that have remote starters for use on cold days that have caused problems with other systems.

Now l know it all depends on who put them in and the system itself. All of them were put in vehicles with auto tranny and all of them were imports.

Becasue of this l shyed away from them.

Now if there is a system that works them l would try it.

Alan

 

[Gadget01]

1st post- hi guys!

I have installed several alarms systems (mostly DEI) since 1993, including remote start- 2 of which were on manual transmission vehicles of mine. I designed an interlock that disabled the remote start if it was in gear and/or the parking brake was not engaged- worked just fine. It usually takes me an entire weekend to do an installation because I'm rather meticulous about how the wires are bundled/wrapped and I solder/shrink-tube all wire splices.

I just purchased my '99 silver C5 coupe (auto trans) a few weeks ago and I have a nice Clifford remote start system waiting for me to install. Having never dealt with bypassing VATS before, I decided to research a little and found this thread. It sounds like one of the arguments against installing remote start in a C5 is based on electro-mechanical relays, which are pretty much a standard part on every modern vehicle. Every alarm/remote start I've installed employed several relays and none have ever failed or activated when they weren't supposed to. They do have some drawbacks vs higher cost solid-state relays, but if diodes are wired across the coil and inline, voltage spikes are absorbed and feedback voltage to the alarm brain is avoided.

Another argument is the VATS bypass. If the wiring is done properly, the bypass is only in effect when the remote start system is active while it activates relays to mimic the ignition key switching. Since this is all that's going on, knowledge of the timing and communication between vehicle computers is nice, but unnecessary. Inserting the key and turning it isn't any magical sword-in-the-stone experience... it's just throwing switches and remote start uses relays to mirror that action.

I still haven't heard anything convincing enough to make me not install remote start, but I will gladly debate it if anyone has good info. C4C5, your knowledge of the machine is not being questioned here. I can see how a bad experience with a poorly installed and/or malfunctioning system would cause me to recommend against them in general. I intend to post an installation thread detailing the experience and hopefully bust some myths. Probably not until this heat wave passes though.

 

[dougelam]

Very interesting thread here, some people wont believe that you will get wet if it is raining out until they go outside and see for themselves. I have been in automotive for 30 years with all the same credentials as C4C5 and more and what he states are facts from the maker himself. What will happen is you will install the remote start and it will work with no problems and you will be thinking what gives? Then one day it will do something weird and you will think just a onetime thing, well After working at a Cadillac dealer and seeing what happens to them after getting one of many brands of remotes starts they do weird things and most if not all the owners did not like the results.

-Car not starting even with the correct key after a failed remote start request
-Alarm going crazy for no reason after a remote start event
-Exhaust overheating from remote start event and letting it run to time out
-Related wiring problems from an inferior install

Just a few I have seen

 

[Clive]

My 2 Cents on Remote Starters

Ok, I'll admit I don't know diddly about remote starter installations. Personally speaking, I'm paranoid of these things and I'll explain why.

Just supposing for instance you start the car remotely and as it's running the radiator hose decides at that time to let go? If you were in the car you could shut it off otherwise all your coolant runs out and your engine overheats and does mega-buck damage to the engine.

That's why I don't like remote starters. Afraid of something going wrong and no one there to take corrective action.

Anyway, from the looks of it, the original poster decided not to go with it so my opinion, or 2 cents worth, is a moot point.