remote start

[brylempera@comcast]

Hello everyone. I want to get a remote starter for my girlfriend, but I know absolutely nothing about cars. She drives a 2003 grand prix gt and as far as I know, it doesn't have an alrm system. I'm just wondering about the remote start-no need for an alarm. What should I expect it to cost(install included), and where is the best place to go? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, bry

[G.A.S.]

I put one in our ZR2 and it cost 275.00 .
I had it installed at a local auto detailer shop. I also got prices from two sterio instalation shops.

[JonJon68]

I had a Valet model 562T remote starter installed in my 97 GP GT about four years ago. I purchased from ABC Warehouse and had them install it all for just under 200.00 bucks. I only use it for extreme cold mornings. Excessive idling wears on the engine and the gas prices, well, that goes without saying.

[tblake]

excessive idling wears on an engine? Care to explain? Not that I'm doubting you, I just have never heard this.

[JonJon68]

No problem, wouldn't have hurt to include a "IMOP" back there. I did some research a few years back on engine idling and basically came up with this info:
Excessive idling can be hard on your engine. Because the engine isn’t working at peak operating temperature‚ fuel doesn’t undergo complete combustion. This leaves fuel residues that contaminate engine oil and make spark plugs dirty.
It’s important to drive away as soon as possible after a cold start‚ while avoiding high speeds and rapid acceleration for the first five kilometres. This allows the whole vehicle to reach peak operating temperature as quickly as possible without paying a fuel penalty.

I still use my remote starter, but again, only on extremely cold mornings up here in MI, and I try to limit the amount of time I let my car idle.
Hope this explains my position a bit more clearer.

[shenning]

I recently purchased a remote start for my '99 GP GT. The installed cost was just over $100. It came with one remote and has a decent range.

[Andy943100]

I have a 94, and put a Bulldog starter on it for just under $70. I got it and the security bypass on eBay for way less than through Bulldog. I did it myself (It was the second one I did and still took several hours). The starter is very reliable and workable, and comes with good instructions. BUT if you are not familiar or patient I would suggest getting it done because it is an uncomfortable wirey MESS.

Hope I helped some

As for the idoling, I got a old motor with high miles that ticks when cold, and it is out side all the time. I figure that a couple min idoling away the tick and wasting some gass is way better for the car than clanking down the road instantly after start.

[ponchonutty]

Never heard of idling causing issues. I wonder if the local police know this because the usually don't shut their cruisers off while on duty so that means their cars idle probably at least 1/2 the time their running.

On the newer '03 GP's can be a little tricky to install a remote starter on so be careful to find a shop that knows what they are doing. It'll be even better if they use a data bypass like those from www.bypasskit.com or something simular. For a nice one installed on a car like that, 2 remotes with 4 buttons, lifetime warranty and about 1/2 mile range I charge $285 installed. That's with the bypasses, keyless, trunk pop, and a few other extras.

[JonJon68]

Let me clarify myself a little more clearly, I never said excessive idling caused "issues" my point was that excessive idling can cause unwanted "wear" on an engine. As for police cruisers, if each officer had to buy their own car and purchase their own gasoline, they would not be idling their vehicles for half of the time.

[jayjay9523]

my remote starter on my 99 300m quit working. anyone have any suggestions on how to fix. put new battery in remote but still don't work.

[JonJon68]

Whoever worked on your vehicle probably pulled the wiring out of and/or bent your safety "mercury" switch under your hood. This safety feature prevents the engine from starting/running while the hood is up.
Check your mercury switch and see if it's hooked up properly. If you can't find anything out of place, take it back where the work was done and have them correct it.

[G.A.S.]

there is an on and off switch for that remote setup. usually it is right under the dash by your knees near the stearing column. they could have put it somewhere else. when working on the vehical it should get turned off, someone probly forgot to turn the switch on. This is not the merc. switch I am talking about but that is a good place to look as well.

[JonJon68]

X2 on what G.A.S. wrote. In my installation, I opted not to have the toggle switch installed inside the cab. In my personal experience, I had work done under the hood and not only was the mercury switch wiring pulled out, it was bent out of place. I was able to repair it myself "simple" being it was partly my fault for not informing the tech I had one installed.