I'm thinking about getting a remote starter for my car. Has anybody had any issues with them after they've had them installed? Does the VATS system have to be bypassed or disabled? Is any one brand better than another?

 

They're available. If you have Vats then a resistor (same value as on your key) is spliced into the alarm and ignition harness. When the remote start is activated, The Vats system senses the resistor value and lets the car start. It bypasses the Vats momentarily during startup but returns it to normal after startup or the key is inserted and rotated or if you don't use the remote start and just use your key to start it. Come to think of it, this may help the no-start problems these cars have since the installed bypass resistor is being read instead of the key during startup. Hmmm? I have the Crimestopper CS2011RS in two of my cars. I haven't had any problem with it. You can also leave the car running by pulling out the ignition key, getting out and locking the door remotely or manually. This is great when you want to keep the car cool or warm. Any forced entry to the hood or pressing on the brake pedal stops the engine and disables the ignition. The Crimestopper has both remote start and remote door lock/unlock. I also added a relay to roll up the windows automatically when I use remote start. It's just ther for the lights, bells, and whistles. If I park the car in the driveway with the windows down, I just hit the remote start, it rolls up the windows, I then disable the remote start or turn off the engine after it starts. There are other brands out there. I bought mine off of Ebay.

 

Thanks for the information sir!

 

You are correct! My ignition key went out about a month ago, (I keep forgetting to go get a new one), luckly I have the pellet # wrote down so I can get it remade incase they can't read it, but I have been starting mine with remote ever since my key started going out. Mine is a clifford, and has worked flawlessly for the past year or so.

 

A reputable installer will bypass the Vats and it will work till the key is turned on. I have had an aftermarket remote starter in my last 4 cars.Several different brands and IMHO the Viper systems are the best.They even have a LCD fob that the car communicates back to you as well as GPS Addon for tracking.Lifetime warranty.Long Range reception is great.

 

Redeasy, as usual you are a wealth of information! Thanks to all of you that responded!