Remote start hell....

[rodslinger]

So I picked up a Mazda remote start kit for my 2004 Mazda3 sedan. Should have been straight forward but what a pain it turned out to be. To sum it up it still will not start the car but at least everything else is working....

After installing the unit the first problem encountered was the door locks would only lock/unlock with the factory remote. They would not work with the new start remotes or even the door swtiches...

Got that sorted. Second problem was the park release mechanism wouldn't let the car out of park. Seriously? WTF?

Got that sorted. Now the remote start will not work. I can't figure it out. It has to be something with the immobilizer but can't sort it out. I've tried to initialize the thing 20 times. When you hit the start button, the horn beeps, lights come on the the horn just beeps again and everything shuts back down.

There are no troubleshooting charts with this thing and the installation photos in the manual are pretty well crap.

Just had to vent. I'll get it working sometime this year.

 

[rodslinger]

And two minutes after I post it starts working.....

Turned out a single pin on the DNA module was a little bent and didn't make a connection to the control module. Frustrating how something so simple can create so much hell....

 

[Olestra]

Aha wow, remote starters are nightmares. I wouldn't have enough confidence to install one, I'd be afraid I'd set the immobilizer off and wouldn't be able to start my car anymore. I took mine in to a shop. =)

 

[udontknowjack]

i paid the expert to install on my ms3.....

And two minutes after I post it starts working.....

Turned out a single pin on the DNA module was a little bent and didn't make a connection to the control module. Frustrating how something so simple can create so much hell....

 

[exNeon]

i dont know about the kit but i installed remote starters on my old neon and a vw beetle (yes a vw) and it took forever, but worked well.
i think you will enjoy it.

 

[Mspeed3]

i paid the expert to install on my ms3.....

remote start on manual?

 

[jeremy1210]

I put remote start on my old toyota celica which was a manual. You basically bypass the clutch by putting whcih means you do not have to push the clutch in to start the car... Its pretty easy, just gotta remember to keep the car out of gear else it will lurch or move forward

 

[rodslinger]

Well I think the novelty has already worn off....

While I like the idea of remote start it only lets the car run 10 minutes before shutting it off... Sorry but it takes longer than 10 minutes for that car to warm up when it's below 40f outside.... Warming up under a driving load is one thing, warming up at idle under no load takes a lot longer.

If there was a way the run time could be set to 15 minutes max then I think it would work better.

 

[Funkycoldg]

Since you got one in your MS3, wont it void the warranty? I am curious cause I am thinking on getting one.

Thanks.

 

[Olestra]

Mine has two choices, 15 minutes or 25, but mine also isn't the factory remote start.
10 minutes is not bad, b/c once you start driving it will warm up really fast.
You could also just wait the 10 minutes out and do another start. =)
Check the manual, you may be able to increase the timer.

Mine's manual too. The only thing is it's more complicated to set the car up for remote start before you turn the ignition off.

 

[butterbean7470]

I have remote start on my 02 protege 5 (manual) i love it but now i have to send my car in to get fixed with engine problems. How do I undo the bypass clutch i dont know which wires the installer cut. I dont want the dealership knowing i bypassed the clutch cause of my warranty. HELP ME OUT!!!