Adding factory remote start to 2006 Montana SV6

[dmorlow]

We have a 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6. I read the manual and it says if our keyfob has a + sign on the back of the keyfob, it has the option of adding remote start using a factory module that sounds like it should be plug-and-play to get it working in the car. But it says to go to the dealer to have them install it. Is there somewhere I can buy it online? What's the model number or part number of it?

['97ventureowner]

I have an '06 Uplander and had a factory remote starter put in my vehicle about a year after I bought the van. I had the dealership install the unit and would recommend that others considering adding the GM factory remote do the same as it's not as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of chances for something to go wrong during the installation, and if you attempt to do it yourself and it doesn't work properly afterwards at least you have a place to take it to be fixed if the dealer installs it. I had an aftermarket unit installed in my previous vehicle, a Chevy Venture, and I had nothing but problems with it afterwards,not to mention electrical damage done during the installation.( The company that sold and installed the unit went bankrupt shortly after installing it after 75 years in business so I had very little recourse.)
Years ago GM recommended only factory remotes be installed in their vehicles,( there was even a warning printed in the owners manuals about this) due to the intricacies of the electrical systems and the chance for errors. Working in a garage I saw many customers bring their vehicles in with issues resulting from the installation of a remote starter system. They couldn't get any help from the dealer as it wasn't a factory unit and you can't count on the skill level of the installers. After witnessing that and my own experience with a previous vehicle I only will have a remote starter in my vehicle if it came installed from the factory, or it's a factory unit installed at the dealership. I usually don't recommend the dealer for service work in most cases due to the costs, but when it comes to something like an addition to the vehicle's electrical system, I'd rather pay a little extra and have factory certified techs do the installation.
I'm not aware if you can buy the GM units online without going through your dealer's parts department.

[spike88]

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I too agree with '97ventureowner.

If you can, get your local GM dealer to install the remote starter in your van. And, hopefully its a GM remote starter being installed as well. If you do a web search, you'll find many different "remote starter" install instructions. Thus, proving a remote starter is a very "sensitive" electronic system for a non-GM installer to install themselves. GM remote starter installed by a GM tech inside a GM vehicle has the highest risk of success. And, greatest reduction of future problems.

Hope this helps as well...

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[sisson_d]

Originally Posted by dmorlow

We have a 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6. I read the manual and it says if our keyfob has a + sign on the back of the keyfob, it has the option of adding remote start using a factory module that sounds like it should be plug-and-play to get it working in the car. But it says to go to the dealer to have them install it. Is there somewhere I can buy it online? What's the model number or part number of it?

After reading this I checked my remote and it has the + sign. I checked some sites for different GM vehicles for what GM calls "remote start ready" vehicles. It does seem that at one point in the install, the installer needs to call in some info from the new remotes to get some sort of activation. So it seems that there may be no way around the dealer option.

However, I wonder if you can provide your own (correct model) remotes or if you have to get them from the dealer? Has anyone here done this yet? How long did the install take and how much was the install (parts/labor)?

[ponchonutty]

You can't do this yourself if you plan on installing the aftermarket remote starter for your vehicle. GM has locked it out in the BCM and requires you to "purchase" the access code to enable the remote starter. This way you can get a better aftermarket remote say for about $250-$300 with lifetime warranty and 1/4 mile range or sink up to $500 for the add on GM remote starter with half the range.

I run a dealership network selling/installing remote starters to area dealers. Most don't like to do the GM units because their techs are set to do repairs, not installs. What takes someone like me 1.5 hours or less for an install can take their techs all day. Now, if you aren't hell bent on having the GM label on the remote (these remotes are not made by GM anyways) you can get plug and play units from Directed Electronics, Compustar, and Scytek to name a few.