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Remote start question


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ignoramus
New User

Nov 19, 2008, 10:01 AM

Post #1 of 4 (3300 views)
Remote start question Sign In

 
Hi

I was hoping that somebody might be able to help me out with a problem/ question.

I bought my first ever car last year, having been a mass transit person for most of my life. It's a 94 Toyota Celica with a lot of miles on the clock.

I used the remote start that the previous owner installed for most of last winter and never had a problem with it. However, I only used it once during this summer and on that occasion, the starter died and had to be replaced. Now, I don't really know enough about these things to know the exact relationship between the remote start and the starter, although several friends have assured me that it probably wasn't the remote start that done it and these things just happen sometimes. However, now it's getting cold here in NJ and I would like to start using the remote start to warm up my car in the morning but I don't want to risk killing the new starter.

Can anyone tell me if I should avoid the remote start just in case, or if I'm just worrying for nothing?

Any help would be much appreciated.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Nov 19, 2008, 11:11 AM

Post #2 of 4 (3294 views)
Re: Remote start question Sign In

First off, I'm not a fan of aftermarket stuff like that in particular. It's probably older now (the remote part) and just maybe able to leave starter (same one as you use by key) on too long causing issues and I'd just forget that feature if the car runs fine now.

Those systems have to cut into all kinds of wiring to disallow it, shut it down and those connections are trouble spots when older.........

T



Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran / Moderator
Loren Champlain Sr profile image

Nov 19, 2008, 4:21 PM

Post #3 of 4 (3284 views)
Re: Remote start question Sign In

I agree with Tom..Get rid of the 'remote' start function...I can't believe that they sell these things. #1, if your car is in the garage, you sure don't want it running. If it's on the street, seems like anyone could punch the glass and have a joy ride. You can buy electric heaters that can be installed in the heater hose, or in lieu of a freeze plug, that will keep your engine nice and warm (and keep it from freezing). Much safer, and much less invasive.
Loren
SW Washington


Guest
Anonymous Poster

Nov 19, 2008, 9:24 PM

Post #4 of 4 (3279 views)
Re: Remote start question Sign In

It's unlikely the remote function killed the starter, unless it kept the starter engaged until it burnt up the starter & chewed up the ring, haven't seen that yet.
It does splice into the tigger wire for the starter under the column & I'm not a fan off cutting into factory looms unless necessary. I've seen those aftermarket systems cause more problems than they cured, but basically it's the same as using the key.

Personally I'd probably go with the block heater that was suggested but the safety feature you have while it's running is the keys aren't in the ign, so someone would have to punch out the column to take it......

One last note...I'm hope your car is an automatic.. Where I'm at it's illegal to install them on manuals. Had a cust had one put in himself on his manual car & was use to leaving it neutral. The car was left in gear in the parking lot after a service. The cust walked out, hit the remote start only to watch his car take off & plow into a truck. (He's lucky someone was hurt or worse)






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