DIY install of Toyota Remote Engine Starter Kit

Has anyone purchased the oem Toyota "Remote Engine Starter" kit and installed it themselves? Just looking to hear how the install is, and if there are any tips/tricks to it. (There's no DIY manual for the procedure yet...) FYI, the Toyota-supplied install directions are here:

http://www.toyotapart.com/PT398-47091.pdf

It looks like a reasonable afternoon project, although the clarity is somewhat lacking in a few steps. I'm trying to decide whether or not I'm going to do it, but for those interested in the same, here's a brief synopsis on the package, according to the various PC threads which touch on it:

• PROS:
  • Works, and is a legitimate Toyota Part.
  • Will run heat or A/C to achieve preset auto climate-control temperature.
  • Will turn seat heaters on if left on when car was turned off.
  • Automatically turns defrosters on if below a certain temperature.
  • Install is less invasive than an aftermarket system.
  • No extra remotes to carry or lose, works with all SKS keyfobs.
• CONS:
  • Range is limited to the range of your stock SKS keyfobs. (~80 ft)
  • Car runs for 10 minutes, and then shuts down.
  • Car shuts off upon opening the door.
  • Will not work if outside temperature is below -22° F or -30° C.
  • Expensive when compared to the cheapest aftermarket systems.

And the kit can be purchased from any Toyota dealer, or via the Priuschatshop: https://shop.priuschat.com/product_info.php?cPath=12&products_id=138

 

Thanks - I'd read that thread as well. My list of "pros" above wasn't intended to be exclusive; it's simply a list of what will work. For me personally, the OEM system's shortcomings are balanced out by the fact it's a factory part and doesn't require any modification, bypasses, etc. Now I may change my tune considerably after the install, if I actually do it, but for now the OEM system seems fine. Plus, you can find the complete OEM system for less than $300, so it's cheaper than the higher-tech systems and there are no annual subscription fees.

My primary use is getting the defrosters going to speed my de-icing of the car - which I understand the OEM will actually do better than a Viper system, since the Viper can't turn on the rear defroster. (Or so I've read here: the issue being that the Prius auto-cancels the rear-defroster switch when the car is turned off, so upon restart it won't come on again, unless you have the OEM remote starter, which specifically tells it to turn on if cold enough.) I may be wrong on this though - if you can get the Viper to turn on the rear defroster, do let us know!

 

Is it the same PDF that's posted in the OP, or is it a better one?

 

Roger that. A friend of mine has techstream on a laptop, so we're hoping to activate it with that. As for the instructions - they're linked in the original post!

 

Currently in the middle of the install, and hit a roadblock. On Page 14 of the above directions, Fig. 4.4, it says to install the red wire into the pictured bay, however on my car, that slot is already occupied by a yellow wire. The directions are very clear that it's the 4th position on the second row, which is definitely occupied on my car. Any ideas?

 

Just figured it out - I had the wrong connector. There are two identical connectors used in the same spot, one immediately above the other, and I didn't see the top one since it was obscured by other wires! Rookie mistake - but at least I figured it out in due time!

 

Just to update - I've had the remote starter installed now for a couple months with no complaints. The install was relatively straightforward, and my total out-of-pocket cost was less than $300.

True, Viper and other systems have many more features, but this oem Toyota unit fits my needs perfectly. I like that it works with all my remotes and there's nothing else that needs to be on my keyring, plus the simple fact that it will automatically turn on the defrosters automatically in the winter is priceless. Although if the rumors of it not working below a certain temperature are true, I'll likely have a few cold mornings in the dead of winter!

As many others have noted, you do have to be VERY precise with the timing of your button clicks to start the car...

As for the range, it seems to me considerably better than 40feet, but certainly far less than most aftermarket units. For example, my house is set back from the road by 45' and I can easily lock/unlock/start the car even when it's parked on the far side of the street. (Which would be at least 75'+, depending on how many spots away it is!)

 

Never gets that cold here in PA, but I'm often visiting family in Ontario. From what I've seen, once things get below -20 overnight, lots of cars fail to crank. I guess that's why most of the fam has engine block heaters installed!