Remote Start Doesn't Keep the Car On

I went to a few installers that were recommended from the Viper Smart Start site. They all had different stories on how they thought things were going to work. Most try to sell you old systems. I would recommend only installing a 3000 or 5000 series.

I might wait until you get yours installed and ask you a bunch of questions.

 

I'm kind of surprised that other forum members with an aftermarket product haven't chimed in. I know from other postings there are some of you out there. Hello...

 

I also had an installer tell me that the car will shut off and there is no way around it. He said it's a Toyota issue as other manufacturers like GM and Nissan are set up to allow the car to remain running. So, doubtful Toyota can argue some "safety" issue when other major manufacturers are allowing the car to stay on. Just seems they intentionally or unintentionally omitted it for some alternate reason.

 

The only way around it is to use your extra keyfob in the install. There are systems out there that do this.

Using a bridge module for Toyota cars, it will always make the car shut off when you enter the car. A lot of other car manufactures are doing this with push to start cars.

What did the installer tell you about your existing use of your keyfob? Did he claim the touch to unlock will still work?

I agree with rpeek2 that it is hard to believe that no one reading these forums has had a Viper Smart Start installed on a 2010 Prius.

 

Give me two weeks...

 

Please keep us updated.

I really want to do this myself. I have been doing a lot of research. It is only 7 wires, Power, Ground, CAN CAN LOW, TXD, RDX, and Push to Start.

If you can install a car radio this should be a cake walk. I just want to verify that I do not lose use of my current key fob functions or the door sensors that let me lock and unlock the doors.

 

Seriously? You can't open the door to put in the first bit of a load, then start the car again at that point, after it's all ready cool from remote start?

 

And here's the rub since the GMs aren't electric at all.. You note you have to put in the key on keyed models, there's "proof of key" to drive away. You have to push the button on the others before it leaves, so it seems that before the computer will "fully engage the drive systems", it need to verify the FOB and only does it via "push button".

Compare that to the Prius where in "normal conditions", the pre-start may well have the ICE turned off, and you might not know if it's "on or not". Easiest way to deal with that is "always require the button to be pushed to drive", JUST like the GM.

Given that normal gasoline engine cars put strain on the system to start it (starters are pretty small, slamming a gear into the flywheel causes wear as well), it makes sense to avoid "turning it off" just to run it, but given the design of the Prius and how IT starts, it really doesn't hurt it to shut it down and restart it.

Sure, they could force you to "push the button" and leave the ICE and accessories "on" after you remote start it, but if the ICE is in the off mode, you still don't know if things are running or not (potentially).

 

I got the Viper Responder One remote starter installed yesterday. It, of course starts the car, unlocks and locks with its own remote. It also, as the thread title states, "doesn't keep the car on" when the door opens. But I guess how else do you deter car theft on this button start system. The touch sensors on the door are uneffected by the install. I haven't had time to futz with it so I'll have to mess with it more to determine exactly what it will and won't do. Right now it starts the car from farther than 50 feet away--thats already better than the OE from what I've heard.

 

rpeek2 thanks for the update. Can you answer a few questions on how it works?

- When you remote start the car does it keep the doors locked?
- If not, do you have to start the car then lock the doors?
- If you remote start the car and walk up and touch the door with the OEM FOB in your pocket does the door unlock?
- When it unlocks does the car turn off or do you have to open the door for the car to turn off?

Great to hear it is working well. My goal is to get the Smart Start version so I can start it with my cell phone. It is my understanding that the base unit is the same with both Viper units.

 

When remotely started the doors remain locked. If they are unlocked when started they will lock. They can be unlocked by the Viper remote, OE remote, or touch sensor of the door. Yes, the touch sensor operates as normal(only with the OE remote in proximity to door. When remotely started unlocking does not turn off the car. Opening the door turns off the car. If for some reason a window is left open or a thief climbs in through the sunroof the car shuts down as soon as the brake is touched.

 

Thanks for all the info.

Do you know the name of the Toyota bridge controller? Is it a DB-ALL

 

The discription on the invoice for the bypass module/bridge.
Model: ADSTB
Make: IDATALINK
Description: Multi TBSL Series Module
Price: $40

The discription on the invoice for the base unit.
Model: 4203V
Make: DEI
Description: Responder ONE 1 button 2way

As additional info. I haven't tried for longest effective distance yet; My wife works in a concrete building. It would not work through the walls--no surprise. When she left her office and went to a hall with a glass door it functioned fine. That was probably a couple hundred feet. The remote also works fine from anywhere inside the house. The remote, being a 2-way, plays a tune and flashes its pilot light upon button push to confirm start. My only gripe is that the light doesn't stay lit while the car is running--only the initial flash. The true confirmation is line of sight to the tail or park light which stay illuminated during the run cycle.

 

Thanks again,

I was hopeing it was a DB-ALL. I might just order everthing and give it a try. Based on your feed back it sounds exactly what I want to do.

The Smart Start version will give feed back if the car is running on your cell phone.

The dealer could have had it turn on your parking lights. I want all my lights off all the time.

 

I can report the Smart Start works well ... when it works.

The SKS functions just as normal.

I have to get in the vehicle and press the POWER button before I shift out of park just as normal.

The cycling of the bluetooth will trip up my phone sometimes, though.

The big problem, however, is this: during peak hours, Viper cannot get the signal to my car to start it. For example, last Thursday when it was -4° outside, I tried for half an hour (starting around 6:45) to remote start my vehicle and finally just gave up.

Fortunately, I have a real stand up installer/shop and they offered me a "manual" remote at cost (without labor), so I could start the vehicle from my house. I haven't decided how I'm going to proceed. However, if this is something which continues, I will most likely swap out the systems for one with an extra remote (much to my disdain) and request a refund for the three years of service I prepaid Viper.

The technology is there, but it's far from perfect. As an early adopter, I took the plunge and am, for now, waving people off this solution.

 

That is not good news. Thanks for the feedback. I will do some research.

 

Hi rpeek2,

How has the viper one been working? Would you recommend it? Has it been working consistently when the temperature is colder than -16 C/ 3 F ? I just bought a 2010 Prius but if they remote starters don't work below -15 C they I won't bother wasting money as its below -15 C where I live alot.

Thanks

 

It has been working flawlessly. There have been some days here when it was around 0-degrees F and remote start functioned properly. My wife said one time is was below zero F and it took a couple tries but started. So, ya I would give my recommendation for this brand over the OEM. I would also recommend you research other remote starters just for comparison. Some others require you to dedicate a key fob($$$) or are more expensive for other reasons.

 

Just to clarify, Gen 3 can use a standalone bypass module (e.g., xpresskit DB-ALL) to remote start off of the OEM fob. Gen 1/2 also needs a remote starter with a dedicated aftermarket fob.

I think the shut down on door open is related to the smartkey - cars w/out smartkey don't have this issue