Remote Starter

[steve65]

Hi All,

I was interested in installing a remote starter on our 2001 Durango and I had a couple of questions. Where is a good place to get the remote starter? I have looked around and most of the places I checked have them up to the 2000 model year. Are they hard to put in? I have seen the Bulldog model where you can buy an extra harness to cut down on the wiring. Our local shop wants $285 installed for a dedicated system. Any pointers would be great.

Thanks Steve

[dinkelja]

Go with a D.I.Y. Bulldog

http://www.bulldogsecurity.com/starters.htm

Your car likely has a transponder chip in the key. If the original key is not in the ignition, or on the key ring, then the engine will shut off after 2 sec as an anti-theft measure. (This is why you can only get replacment keys from the dealer or at special locksmiths. They chip in the key has to be "programed" to match the code for your vehicle.) Bulldog brands have information on how to bypass this, which usually requires purchasing an additional module.

Yo can get a basic starter for 35 (on sale) about 50 normally.

As you mentioned you can buy a T connector that taps the lines on the ignition harness and plugs right into the unit, which saves a lot of time, but you still have to make some basic connections.

Yah, also expect to get charged $ 150-200 for instalation, about "3 hours of labor". Plus the cost of the unit and the additional parts, like the T harness and the anti-theft system bypass module.

I recomend bulldog because it is a great D.I.Y. project. The models come with tapes and good instruction manuals.

I have so many customers lined up right now, (ho wait until cold weather), it's crazy.

[BleedDodge]

Those lazy asses.

[steve65]

Thank you very much for the reply back. I do not have a transponder on my Durango, just a plain old key, should make things a bit easier.

As far as lazy asses, when its below freezing most of the winter it sure makes it a lot easier to get the ice off of the car.

[dinkelja]

Here are some specifics:

http://bulldogsecurity.com/New%20Wir...rango01-02.htm

Is your key black and not grey probably?

[steve65]

Yes our key is black.

I think I am going to be getting the RS82P/RS79P model (not sure of the difference between the two, find out when I call Bulldog). Is there any reason to get a higher end model? All we want is the ability to remotely start the car. I am not concerned with replacing our fobs with the remote starter one since most likely we would only use this starter from our house.

Question for you, what are the tach or tachless operation and the pit stop functions?

I am upset that they do not have a T Harness for my truck. :-( The wiring looks like it could be a pain to hook up the resistors and some of the other locking wires. I'll take a look at the video once I get onto a high speed connection.

Thanks for all of the input, you have been a great help.

[dinkelja]

I just got some of the basic models in the RS82P. Higher end models are just if you want an alarm or trunk release; alot of cars have keyless entry already.

The pit stop feature allows you to take your key out of your ignition with the car still running. Like if you stop and run in the bakery. You can take out your key, (either locking or not locking your doors), when you or somwone else touches the brake pedal the car will shut down if you son't out the key back in first.
The tach feature makes sure that the starter does not over crank/ hard starting; and will cut the starter signal at a certain engine speed (that you set). I have found this is usually not necessary.

[dinkelja]

Another opinion; I think that the cold start feature is dumb pesonally (on higher end models) Most people don't want their car running when I don't know about it. What if you park it in your garage, or for an extended length of time somewhere (you would have to reprogram it to turn it on or off or a different temperature) often.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by steve65

Hi All,

I was interested in installing a remote starter on our 2001 Durango and I had a couple of questions. Where is a good place to get the remote starter? I have looked around and most of the places I checked have them up to the 2000 model year. Are they hard to put in? I have seen the Bulldog model where you can buy an extra harness to cut down on the wiring. Our local shop wants $285 installed for a dedicated system. Any pointers would be great.

Thanks Steve

I know I am late in the posts here but I have been averaging 5 cars a day now so I haven't been on here much. If you want the best performance, you should go with Directed Electronics. You should be able to find a dealer locally that can help you out. I sell them here in Ohio for $159 installed for a Valet 561r unit. You can even have this unit work off your OEM keyless. You'd sacrifice your 800' of range though.

They also have DIY units labeled under the BOA and Rattler lines. If you find them, pay the extra $$ for the Rattler lines. They are a little easier to use.

You shouldn't have too much problem installing. Your car is pretty easy. I can get them done with keyless under 90minutes. For a rookie, expect to spend about 10hours. To find a dealer near you www.directed.com

[Jeeper44]

Originally Posted by dinkelja

Another opinion; I think that the cold start feature is dumb pesonally (on higher end models) Most people don't want their car running when I don't know about it. What if you park it in your garage, or for an extended length of time somewhere (you would have to reprogram it to turn it on or off or a different temperature) often.

I would guess that you don't live in a really cold climate. Here in Maine this time of year it's not uncommon for it to get well below zero at night. There are plenty of mornings I go out in the morning to leave for work and my vehicle will barely start from the cold, if it starts at all. There are a lot of garages around here that make a good living in the winter months giving jump starts to vehicles that won't start on a freezing winter morning.

I just ordered a remote starter for my Durango and will be installing it this week. I have had the Bulldog models on 4 previous vehicles and was happy with their performance, for the price. They were the lower end WalMart models that cost around $40 and I haven't personally had any trouble with them. This time I went with the Prestige APS966A for a couple of reasons. I wanted the two way remote, so I wouldn't have to see my Durango to know that it has started. I also wanted the cold start feature for the reason stated above. With most of the remote starters I've looked at, this feature can be turned on or off, so you don't run into the problems you've stated with leaving your car in a garage or for extended periods of time. I am looking forward to the piece of mind knowing that when it's 20 below zero and I have to goto work, I won't have a dead battery or excessive engine wear from extremely thick oil.

One of the other reasons I picked the Prestige over other models, including the Bulldog two way system, was the in-car temperature display. It's not necessary, but for less that $150 for the system (it has an alarm too) it's a nice feature to know that the car has warmed up nicely or I should stay in and have another cup of coffee.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by Jeeper44

I would guess that you don't live in a really cold climate. Here in Maine this time of year it's not uncommon for it to get well below zero at night. There are plenty of mornings I go out in the morning to leave for work and my vehicle will barely start from the cold, if it starts at all. There are a lot of garages around here that make a good living in the winter months giving jump starts to vehicles that won't start on a freezing winter morning.

I just ordered a remote starter for my Durango and will be installing it this week. I have had the Bulldog models on 4 previous vehicles and was happy with their performance, for the price. They were the lower end WalMart models that cost around $40 and I haven't personally had any trouble with them. This time I went with the Prestige APS966A for a couple of reasons. I wanted the two way remote, so I wouldn't have to see my Durango to know that it has started. I also wanted the cold start feature for the reason stated above. With most of the remote starters I've looked at, this feature can be turned on or off, so you don't run into the problems you've stated with leaving your car in a garage or for extended periods of time. I am looking forward to the piece of mind knowing that when it's 20 below zero and I have to goto work, I won't have a dead battery or excessive engine wear from extremely thick oil.

One of the other reasons I picked the Prestige over other models, including the Bulldog two way system, was the in-car temperature display. It's not necessary, but for less that $150 for the system (it has an alarm too) it's a nice feature to know that the car has warmed up nicely or I should stay in and have another cup of coffee.

Yeah, with the ones I sell (Python and Valet) you have to program this "coldstart" feature on each time you exit the vehicle. It only works for a 18hr period. Also, it is not dependant on the temperature so that way it doesn't self-start when you do not want to. Mostly around here, that feature is only used for deisels. I also have timer modules for those that park from extreme distances and always use the car at same time each day. This works well for those who work in factories and such.