Remote Start

Check out www.astroflex.com for a dealer in your area. I have had one on my '04 CTS since new and it works flawlessly. It integrates completely with the existing system.

dkozloski said:

Check out www.astroflex.com for a dealer in your area. I have had one on my '04 CTS since new and it works flawlessly. It integrates completely with the existing system.

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Koz,
I went to their link but was confused by all the models. Did you order direct from them or a supplier? Install it yourself?

The dealer offers an install of a remote starter @ 500 dollars. Everyday I say to myself Im gonna get one, and I never do.

Astroflex systems are sold and installed only by dealers. The dealer who installed mine has installed thousands and he says that my CTS was the most difficult he ever did. A misstep in the installation could do real damage. Not a job for a novice. I have a model 1105U system.

dkozloski said:

Astroflex systems are sold and installed only by dealers. The dealer who installed mine has installed thousands and he says that my CTS was the most difficult he ever did. A misstep in the installation could do real damage. Not a job for a novice. I have a model 1105U system.

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Shucks..my nearest dealer is 108 miles away!

My now-ex-wife once was showing off the remote start in our BMW. I have no idea how she did it, but for some reason, the car was parked in our garage in gear (it was an automatic) with no key in it. When she hit the start button, it started as expected, then promplty found the back wall of the garage and punched a hole into our living room. I was not amused when I returned home from work, since I had a beer fridge and my workbench between the wall and the 325i.

A few years later, I solved the problem by getting rid of the car, the house, and the wife. LOL

:histeric: :histeric: :histeric:

odysseus said:

My now-ex-wife once was showing off the remote start in our BMW. I have no idea how she did it, but for some reason, the car was parked in our garage in gear (it was an automatic) with no key in it. When she hit the start button, it started as expected, then promplty found the back wall of the garage and punched a hole into our living room. I was not amused when I returned home from work, since I had a beer fridge and my workbench between the wall and the 325i.

A few years later, I solved the problem by getting rid of the car, the house, and the wife. LOL

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Yep, sometimes you just have to start over fresh. I was really glad to see the BMW go:thumbsup:

odysseus said:

My now-ex-wife once was showing off the remote start in our BMW. I have no idea how she did it, but for some reason, the car was parked in our garage in gear (it was an automatic) with no key in it. When she hit the start button, it started as expected, then promplty found the back wall of the garage and punched a hole into our living room. I was not amused when I returned home from work, since I had a beer fridge and my workbench between the wall and the 325i.

A few years later, I solved the problem by getting rid of the car, the house, and the wife. LOL

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HAHA that's a good story Ody. I was planning on getting a remote start soon, but I don't know anything about them. What would the best one for the CTS?

I'm installing mine tomorrow in the DTS. It's a Code CA-530. I got an interface module from Crimestopper (the GM SL). Code makes modules, too, but I didn't know it at the time. The interface module makes it very easy to install a remote starter or alarm system yourself. All of the commands that you want to perform via the remote starter key fob (door lock/unlock, heated seats, rear window defog, parking light confirm, horn, etc.) can be done by connecting the remote starter to the interface module. Then it's a single wire from the module to the OBDII connector on the car.

Ignition is a little more complicated because of the PK3 system, but it's not bad if you can follow directions.

Jim

How do you handle the hood switch and the brake pedal info? The brake pedal was particularly troublesome because it is an analog data line to the ABS system in a CTS.

onephatguy said:

I believe someone asked or started something on this, but I'm not sure. Is there a factory remote starter available for the CTS or at least a high quality aftermarket set up that won't fry our system?

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I remember SDMarineGuy using a remote start to start up his car when I stopped by his place in San Diego..Send him a PM...and he has tons of stuff in his car so I'm assuming it will be sufficient....It was also an aftermarket product...didn't look factory to me...

dkozloski said:

How do you handle the hood switch and the brake pedal info? The brake pedal was particularly troublesome because it is an analog data line to the ABS system in a CTS.

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On the DTS the white wire on the stoplamp switch connector is switched 12V+. I'm not installing the hood switch - I refuse to drill a big hole in the sheet metal for it and I don't have a bracket.

On the CTS, according to a cheat sheet I have access to, the brake feed is red/black at the brake pedal. Polarity is (+).

Jim

Here's a funny little remote start story. NJ got about 8 inches of snow today. I had my window open about an inch last night and didn't know it. The car had about a foot of snow on the drivers seat. I had no idea when I remote started it and instead of brushing powder off my seat most of it melted and the seat is soaked. Lesson learned, make sure windows are closed before parking for the night.

Maybe someone can set up a group buy from one of these vendors???

onephatguy said:

Maybe someone can set up a group buy from one of these vendors???

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I'm listening.

onephatguy said:

Maybe someone can set up a group buy from one of these vendors???

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If you do try to set up a group buy, do some research on the brands first. I was picky about the key fobs. Some look cheesy and some perform just the start function meaning that you still have to carry your factory fob around to unlock the doors and pop the trunk. It would also probably make sense to get one from a manufacturer (like Code or Viper) that also makes an interface module. Last, make sure the PK3 bypass module does NOT require that you donate a key. There are still (cheap) ones out there that require you to put a spare key into the device. The more expensive ones don't require that. The Crimestopper module I got combines the aforementioned functionality (doors, windows, heat, etc.) with the PK3 bypass.

Jim

pjohnesq said:

I remember SDMarineGuy using a remote start to start up his car when I stopped by his place in San Diego..Send him a PM...and he has tons of stuff in his car so I'm assuming it will be sufficient....It was also an aftermarket product...didn't look factory to me...

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I have the Viper 791xv Alarm with remote start. It is very convenient because the remote reaches 1/4 mile and my remote tells me if someone touched my car or opened a door. I dont use my stock remote anymore since the one I have also opens the trunk. I was thinking of adding the unit to make my windows go up and down.

Got mine installed today. Took longer than I had hoped, but works pretty much as it should. The LED for programming the system is dead so I have to call them (Code Alarm) tomorrow to find out how to fix it. Also, I'm getting a theft deterrent error message on the DIC when I remote-start it. I have to call those people (Crimestopper/Fortin Auto Radio) to correct that, too. Otherwise it works great.

Jim