Remote Access replacement

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Jun 30, 2020 | 09:01 PM

#31

Duck Diggler

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Joined: May 2020

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Correct, no cell connection, just keyfob remote start.

Sep 2, 2020 | 07:18 PM

#32

Xwild

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: Greene, NY

Anyone found a good solution yet? My heated seats turned on the other morning when I hit the remote start, so I'm going to be needing it when I'm leaving work soon. And the fob won't reach from my desk.

Sep 20, 2020 | 06:06 AM

#33

Xwild

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: Greene, NY

Anyone found a good solution? I saw the thread on adding FordPass to 2017+.. thinking about giving that a shot even though it's a bunch of work.

Sep 20, 2020 | 04:52 PM

#34

hinsong

Tuned

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 252

Likes: 2

From: AL

I went with the Viper Smart Start. You have to add the Viper DS4, smart start module (make sure you get the 550 since it’s LTE), and the T harness for the ‘17 SuperDuty. Parts are about $500. You can install yourself pretty easily, but the Viper reseller will have to program the DS4 and register the smart start for you. Installation is plug and play-you’ll see some instructions that say you’ll need to splice into some wires near the light switch for the lights to flash, but this isn’t necessary. Basic service is free for the first year which gives you lock/unlock and remote start with no feedback from the truck. There are other plans that unlock additional functionality of the system such as two way communication and GPS. You do NOT need to buy a new key fob. Existing fob works exactly the same, but you now can use the viper app on your phone and Apple watch.

Sep 20, 2020 | 06:03 PM

#35

Lin19687

Lead Driver

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 6,143

Likes: 366

From: Burlington, ma

Do you all NOT have the Fordpass? I just bought my truck and no one said anything to be about it ending in Dec.
I must be missing something here... which happens alot

Sep 20, 2020 | 07:43 PM

#36

hinsong

Tuned

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 252

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From: AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lin19687

Do you all NOT have the Fordpass? I just bought my truck and no one said anything to be about it ending in Dec.
I must be missing something here... which happens alot

2017s did not come with cellular/FordPass. For me, it only works (sometimes) when I plug my phone in via USB. So no lock/unlock/remote start via app for 2017 models.

Sep 20, 2020 | 07:52 PM

#37

NorEasterMA

Laughing Gas

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 1,026

Likes: 21

From: MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lin19687

Do you all NOT have the Fordpass? I just bought my truck and no one said anything to be about it ending in Dec.
I must be missing something here... which happens alot

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinsong

2017s did not come with cellular/FordPass. For me, it only works (sometimes) when I plug my phone in via USB. So no lock/unlock/remote start via app for 2017 models.

Yup, us 2017 early adopters got boned!

Sep 20, 2020 | 08:15 PM

#38

Xwild

Thread Starter

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Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 872

Likes: 4

From: Greene, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by hinsong

Did you find a Viper dealer near you that would just sell you the unit for self-install? Or did you buy online - and if so - where? I'd much prefer self-install.

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Sep 20, 2020 | 08:18 PM

#39

Xwild

Thread Starter

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Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 872

Likes: 4

From: Greene, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lin19687

Do you all NOT have the Fordpass? I just bought my truck and no one said anything to be about it ending in Dec.
I must be missing something here... which happens alot

Nope.. no FordPass for those of us with 2017s. We were forced to go with Remote Access - which was an early version of a Sync Connect / Fordpass type thing. Plug & Play module that provided Cell based Remote Start. But it's being discontinued since they don't seem to want to bother support LTE.

So as others have said, 2017 owners got screwed by not being able to get FordPass, and now having Remote Access cutoff.

Sep 20, 2020 | 09:42 PM

#40

RavenTBK

New User

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 23

Likes: 0

From: Apalachicola Natl Forest

Check out 12volt.solutions

I just ordered their remote start kit with cellular, basically the same thing as Remote Access, runs on TMO for $39/yr with the first year free. Stellar reviews, and they claim the installation is full plug and play. Hopefully will get here soon so I can give it a crack.

http://12volt.solutions

Sep 20, 2020 | 10:18 PM

#41

smikesF350

Tuned

Joined: Sep 2020

Posts: 322

Likes: 100

I had a similar situation with my 2015 Ford C-Max Energi Plug in Hybrid. It was still under warranty and Ford replaced factory the cellular modem.

Sep 21, 2020 | 03:36 PM

#42

Xwild

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 872

Likes: 4

From: Greene, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenTBK

Thanks for guniea pigging for us. Looks like exactly what we're looking for (uses OEM fob, and has a cell based start as well).

Sep 21, 2020 | 07:45 PM

#43

NorEasterMA

Laughing Gas

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 1,026

Likes: 21

From: MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenTBK

I originally installed the 12volt.solutions "lock unlock lock" remote start in my truck when I bought it in 2017. It wasn't the cellular one just the one that would let my oem fob start the truck. Basically it's the same thing we now buy from Ford. But anyway it worked great for a year or two but then just totally quit working. Nothing I could do would make it work - and I got ZERO help from their service guy, who appeared to be the owner/installer/service guy. He basically said "yeah who knows you're on your own!" which totally rubbed me the wrong way. I wasn't expecting anything for free I just wanted someone experienced with their systems to help troubleshoot. So I'm done with them after that experience. I'll install a Compustar system in the next month or two and call it a day.

Sep 21, 2020 | 09:12 PM

#44

hinsong

Tuned

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 252

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From: AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xwild

Did you find a Viper dealer near you that would just sell you the unit for self-install? Or did you buy online - and if so - where? I'd much prefer self-install.

Yea, my local tint world was happy to sell and program the parts and allow me to do the install myself. They even answered questions when i called (to be fair, my only question stemmed from them forgetting to activate my smart start so i would receive the setup email). I *think* if you buy from crutchfield you can do the install yourself as well, but not sure about that.

Originally, I tried to buy all the compustart components from Best Buy, but they couldn’t ever figure out the parts I needed and, when they did, it’s was going to take forever (more than a month estimated shipping) to get them. Compustart was also about $500, so for the same money, I think I feel better about the viper. I could always add additional security components to the DS4 if I want as well-not an option with compustart.