Remote Starter Question

[TheTrader]

Hello all you GM people... I need to know if this remote start will work in my GF's 2000 Cavalier Auto, I know it wont go in my GA because its for an automatic.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/hombody/Picture2.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/hombody/Picture1.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/hombody/Picture3.jpg


Apparently he had it installed in a Chrysler, and had it removed when he traded it because he was going to put it in his new mailbu, but since the Mailbu has the chip in the key thing, he gave it to his son, who wanted to put it in a 1988 manual shift VW, but decided against it because its made for an auto.

anyway... bottom line, its cheap, and I want it if it will work in a 2000 cavalier auto

[Jibo]

Maybe get us a product number, that will tell us all a bit more about it

[MantaGreen97]

I can't say that I've heard of the "Command Start" brand but if the unit was functioning fine when it was removed, I see no reason why it wouldn't work in another car. You've even got a universal bypass there so it will be able to bypass the PassLock II in the 2000 Cavy, provided you set it up right.

If the bypass is "learning" it is pretty much an automatic procedure you just have to set it in learning mode. If it is not a learning module, you'll have to figure out how to put the resistance values in for the particular car it is going into.

I think I've heard of AstroFlex... Well AstroStart rather. AstroFlex may be the same company and they are the maker of that bypass module; but that doesn't necessarily mean the brain is made by them too.

If you're planning on doing the install yourself you'll need both the installer's and user's manuals for the thing. If you're getting it "professionally" installed then you'll either have to take it back to the same place that installed it originally (because they will deal or have dealt with that brand and model). If you don't take it somewhere that is familiar with that make/model you'll still need to get ahold of the manuals for the installer otherwise he/she will have no way of knowing how to set it up properly.

[chadder]

you can put a remote start in a manual, just ground the wire for the safety switch and make sure your NOT in gear. most install manuals tell you how to do this too

[nineteen88ga]

The Grand Am, and Cavalier both use GMs Passlock 2, so you'll need to get a different bypass. other then that it should work...

I'm a little sketchy on remote start btrands other then DEI, Code Alarm, and Audiovox.

[skywise]

Actually, you can get remote start systems into a standard, but you either need the unit to support standards or do some creative installing.

The systems that support standards usually do it via protocol.
It will only start the car if it was the one who stopped it. Tends to go something like this:
1. get yourself parked, the car in neutral, parking brake set.
2. push a button on the command start remote, the remote start takes over control of the ignition and chirps so you can remove the key.
3. exit the car, close the door and push another button.
4. The command start system will turn off the car and lock the doors.
Now you can remote start the car. But if you open the door it will disable remote start since it's not sure if you played with the shifter or not. I haven't seen too many of these units around lately since people probably did silly things like putting their car in gear through an open window then remote started it to see what happened then tried to sue the manufacture when the car ran away and killed granny. :/

The other way to do it (which I did when I installed mine in my old Tercel) is to wire the neutral safety switch into the car so that it only starts when it's safe.
The easy hook up is the parking brake and while this'll work on most cases it is possible for the car to run off if you leave it in gear and set the parking brake too light to hold the car.
I also put a little magnet on the bottom of my shifter with a mag switch mounted under the shifter's neutral position. The switch would only be closed when the shifter was in neutral. The same wire ran through the parking brake so that in order to remote start I'd have to have the car in neutral and set the parking brake.
I've had this system in place for several years and never had a problem with it.

Sky

[MantaGreen97]

Originally posted by nineteen88ga
The Grand Am, and Cavalier both use GMs Passlock 2, so you'll need to get a different bypass. other then that it should work...


That bypass looks like it says it does PL and PK I and II--checking on AstroFlex's website confirms it--that module will work with PL II as well.

Originally posted by nineteen88ga
I'm a little sketchy on remote start btrands other then DEI, Code Alarm, and Audiovox.

You're kidding right? There's lots of other remote starters out there that are good and capable.

First one that comes to mind (that you didn't mention) is DesignTech (you know the ppl that invented the automotive remote starter? lol). I think DT was recently bought out by Directed though, as I see DT appearing on the Directed.com site now!

Also there's Omega brands; and the Toronto favourite (but not particularly mine), CompuStar... I could probably name more but you get the picture. In fact, Audiovox (that you did mention) I'd probably put further down the list than 3rd, lol.