Compustar Remote Start - 2022 Prius Prime

To summarize today’s learning:

Independent of the climate control air direction selection, at a cold enough ambient temperature, when remote starting the PP, the front windshield defrost is activated by the remote starter.

As expected, when a door is opened, the PP shuts down. When restarting using the push to start button on the dash, the climate control settings revert back to the setting previously selected before remote starting the PP. in my case, the windshield / foot selection I made the previous evening.


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Since it was only -22C after supper this evening, I decided to experiment with the remote start while I was in the vehicle. This way I could make better observations and experiment with a few other things of interest.

I was able to confirm the earlier observation that the windshield defrost is activated on remote start as previously reported.

I also confirmed that if the driver’s heated seat was left on during the previous use of the PP, it would still be on when using the remote start. I assume the same for the passenger seat.

This next observation will require more time and experimentation to understand. This morning, not only was the windshield defrost activated when using the remote start, but so was the mirror / rear window defrost. I did not report it earlier assuming that I had left it on last night by accident (fat fingers). I never intentionally use the mirror / rear window defroster so it seemed odd.

This evening with the cabin already warm, I confirmed that the mirror / rear window defrost is not activated when using the remote even if it was left on previously. I will need to observe if it is activated upon remote start when the cabin is cold, is humid or if it is ambient temp dependent. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we have more extreme cold days forecast so I should be able to observe it again.


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Seems like a good theory.
If true, how will it respond in the summer?


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I will need to confirm in the summer, but expect to use the fob climate control during the warm season unless out of range.


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-15C this morning

Once again, the mirror / rear window defrosters were activated along with the windshield defrost when remote starting the PP. Not the best picture through the passenger window:




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Today’s observation.

During the day I stepped out of work to run an errand. It was -9C and the mirror / rear window defrost was not activated, only the defrost was when remote started.

Magic temp for the mirror / rear window defrost to come on may be between -9 and -15C.

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In another post on remote engine starters with a Prime, it was speculated that a false start would be indicated if an attempt was made to remote start with the charge cable connected.

I did not find that to be the case with the Compustar remote starter with the charge cable connected while charging or after charging was complete. In both cases the remote start fob did provide a green indicator suggesting that the vehicle received the start signal, BUT within a few seconds, it signalled in red that it failed. Also, the indicator flashes to indicate the engine was running and the remaining run time, do not appear on the remote start fob.

Therefore it is obvious that the remote start attempt was unsuccessful when the charge cable was connected to the Prime.

When I went outside a few minutes after the test to check for error messages on the dash, there were none. When it is warmer, I will repeat the test while outside so I am able to observe the dash for messages that may have cleared quickly.

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Found the Firstech Install manual specific for the Prime:
RSA-TL7-[CM-DC3]-(Toyota_PriusPrime_2022_35244)-EN-D_20220106_135200.pdf (idatalink.com)
(note how recent the revision is, 2022-01-06)

And the product guide:
FT-PG-[DC3]-EN_20220113.pdf (idatalink.com)

Nothing on pages 3 to 5 of the Install guide would suggest that the remote start module is taking control and activating the defrost functions when using the Compustar remote start fobs. Am I missing something on the schematic?

There is an accessory temp sensor shown on page13 of the product guide. But I doubt it was included in my system since it was not on the invoice.

It has me now wondering if that means the Prime itself is programmed to activate the defrost functions based on temperature when an aftermarket remote start is installed.

I am going to try and connect with the installer to gain some insights on this topic.

Also, I need to test if pressing the factory fob (3 times) will start the Prime remotely (with the limited range of the factory fob). The documentation suggests it should work.

 

Pressing the lock button three times on the factory fob did not remote start the Prime.


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The single button Compustar remote is less cumbersome. But I hear you.

An available option I did not consider is a pay for use smart phone App that has the functionality you are looking for.

Google DroneMobile for info.

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Another observation.

Last evening I needed to leave for an appointment after the PP sat outside in -23C temps for about an hour. There was no frost on the outside of the windows and I noticed that the rear window / mirror defrost was NOT on when I came to the PP which I had started a few minutes earlier with the remote start. Only the windshield defrost was.

All previous starts with the remote start at similar temperatures resulted in both the windshield and rear window/ mirror defrosts coming on.


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Observation when leaving work today.

With ambient temperature at -4C, both the front and rear defrosters were activated when remote starting the PP.


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At -14C this morning, the ICE started with the front windshield and rear window / mirror defrosts both on when remote starting the PP. ICE started when I restarted the PP while in the vehicle.

This evening at -11C, the ICE started with the front windshield and rear window / mirror defrosts both on when remote starting the PP. ICE DID NOT started when I restarted the PP while in the vehicle. It went to EV.

 

The size of the single button remote start fob compared to the Toyota fob:




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