Thread: Remote starter... ?

True to my "never let well enough alone" motto...

Having gotten my car stereo working again, I'm starting to think about getting a remote starter.

What model would you recommend for a '99 Camry?

I'd like to install it myself if possible. I have installed about a half dozen car sound systems, so the sight of wiring doesn't make me go weak-kneed. Is a self-install a bad idea?

Any advice/dire warnings?

Josh

I'd say that you could definitely do it if those jokers at FutureShop/Best Buy can install them! Just get one that's designed to be installed by a DIY and it should come with fairly explicit instructions in Engrish

Mark

Originally Posted by Milton Man

... it should come with fairly explicit instructions in Engrish

Mark

You mean the kind that are translated from Chinese by someone fluent in Danish?

Josh

Exactly, Josh! Like these found here : Engrish.com

Enjoy!

Mark

Slightly OT, but what is the point of a remote starter?

Say you are worried that someone has rigged your car to blow up when you start it...Now you just start it from a safe distance and when it doesn't blow up your in business!

Also, if it is really cold and you don't have a garage, you could remote start your car in the morning and let it heat up, all from the comfort of your shave den!

Maybe, you just need a way to start it so you can make use of the remote steering and remote gas and brake pedal kits without having to go all the way out to the car and look like a chump starting it.

LOL.

I am hoping Josh Earl will come back in and tell us the real reasons .


-Rob

Bruno - let's say it's 0 degrees celsius outside, and it takes your car a long time to warm up. You can just press a button on your key chain and have your car crank up. Then, you go finish up your shave while your car warms up. By the time you get outside, your car is toasty warm and the defroster already has the windows clear.

Josh, installing a remote start isn't too bad. I've done a few with no problems. Just be systematic and methodical and pay careful attention to the wiring schematics for your car and the remote start, and there should be no issue. You can even make your own remote start with a wireless transmitter, reciever, and an array of relays. If you buy one, it should be straight forward.

I have one for dealing with the heat in Phoenix. It's nice to have the AC running for a few minutes when it's 115+ outside and around 140+ inside the car.

The only horror stories I have heard about remote starts were about cars with manual transmissions.

just be careful which one you buy though. i had a roomate that had an Aurora with giant rims and a huge stereo (not my thing) and the previous owner put in a programable remote starter, and didn't have the manual. the guy used to work midnights so my roomates car would start at 10pm every night and run for 20 mins. even if he wasn't home the computer that controlled it was in the car so it started. he did finally get it fugured out right before he sold the car but this went on for about 7 months. a big waste of gas for sure.

Originally Posted by sicboater

Say you are worried that someone has rigged your car to blow up when you start it...Now you just start it from a safe distance and when it doesn't blow up your in business!



-Rob

what if it's not meant to go off when it starts? Like in that one movie where the guy sends out his manservant person to start his car and it goes fine but then he gets in and slams it into drive and it was KA-FRIKIN-BOOM?

what then?


remote starts aren't too hard to install (assuming your camry is an auto) and they are quite nice. I used to have one and i never had to get into a hot/cold car :-)