Well Im looking for a remote start for my truck. I found a few on ebay. But never heard of them name. I like it cause it has the lcd screen on the remote. eBay Motors: auto car alarm remote starter ST-A3 FM keyless entry (item 360109267376 end time Nov-23-08 15:36:00 PST) Im just not sure on how good it is being its cheap and I never heard of the name. What other ones would you recomend? Also how hard is it to install yourself? Dont wana spend alot of money on one but want on thats not junk. So any info would be great thanks.

 

Also do you need to hide a key under the dash on all the remote starts? I dont wana spend the money for a new key cause I heard they are alot and dont want to use my spare key cause you never know what might happen to your normal key. So all help would be greatly appreciated

 

well i had a remote start on my 04 screw, it worked great, esepecailly on cold days! but once you start the the truck, you'll still need your key to drive. once you get in the truck, put the key in the ignition and turn it to drive, if you don't, once you touch the gas or the brake, the truck will cut off, kinda of a thieft deturrent! also, if you get an after market one, it may void your warrenty, if you buy one from the dealer and they put it on, it's covered by the warrenty. i think they sell from $300.00 to $400.00, i think they got 2 different kinds, depends on the one you get. don't know what it'll cost for them to put it in though. good luck!

 

Ya I had one on my old jeep they are nice. I got a warranty from General Electric I think it is when I bought my truck used. Will it be voided if I have a 3rd party install it? I really dont wana spend that much. Thats kinda high expecially for the ones from the dealer cause they dont have a lcd screen which I can get one for 275 installed at mickey shores which has a lcd screen.

 

i'm not to sure, i'd call the dealer and ask, all they can say is no, but i'm sure a couple of guys on here will probably know better then me!

 

ok thanks i will keep checking

 

You get what you pay for.

My Durango has an AudioVox Alarm/Remote Start system. It's actually a decent alarm system. But somewhat finicky. Don't know if that is the system itself, or the install. either way, damn thing has 6 sensors for the doors/hood, glass breakage and shock sensors.


You need to give Travis @

KC Autosound

a call. a ton of F-150 guys swear by him. I think he is in Kansas City. His website has alot of good deals.


When I buy a setup, I'm going to do the Code Alarm SRT 6,700. (or the newest equivalent)

 

The Astrostart remote starters made by Astroflex are probably the best ones available. they have up to a 1 mile range and the 2-way remotes allow you to check the status of your vehicle.

 

As for a hidden key you can purchase a pats key from some sales point (example; eBay Motors: 2005 2006 2007 FORD ESCAPE UNCUT TRANSPONDER PATS KEY (item 350126605521 end time Nov-23-08 06:32:22 PST) ) Any late model Ford key will do as they are all the same. Taurus, Focus, F-150. Get it cut and follow the steps to program it. You must have two pre programmed keys to start with! From page 97 '04 owners manual; http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../04f12og5e.pdf

Programming spare keys
A maximum of eight keys can be coded to your vehicle. Only
SecuriLock
keys can be used. To program a coded key yourself, you
will need two previously programmed coded keys (keys that already
operate your vehicle’s engine) and the new unprogrammed key(s) readily
accessible for timely implementation of each step in the procedure.
If two previously programmed coded keys are not available, you must
bring your vehicle to your dealership to have the spare coded key(s)
programmed.
Please read and understand the entire procedure before you begin.
1. Insert the first previously
programmed coded key into the
ignition and turn the ignition from
the 1 (OFF/LOCK) position to the 3
(ON) position (maintain ignition in
the 3 (ON) position for at least one
second, but no more than ten
seconds).
2. Turn ignition from the 3 (ON)
position back to the 1 (OFF/LOCK)
position in order to remove the first coded key from the ignition.
3. Within ten seconds of removing the first coded key, insert the second
previously programmed coded key into the ignition and turn the ignition
from the 1 (OFF/LOCK) position to the 3 (ON) position (maintain
ignition in the 3 (ON) position for at least one second but no more than
ten seconds).
4. Turn the ignition from the 3 (ON) position back to the 1 (OFF/LOCK)
position in order to remove the second coded key from the ignition.
5. Within 10 seconds of removing the second coded key, insert the new
unprogrammed key (new key/valet key) into the ignition and turn the ignition from the 1 (OFF/LOCK) position to the 3 (ON) position
(maintain ignition in the 3 (ON) position for at least one second, but no
more than ten seconds). This step will program your new key to a coded
key.
6. To program additional new unprogrammed key(s), repeat this
procedure from Step 1.
If successful, the new coded key(s) will start the vehicle’s engine and the
theft indicator will illuminate for three seconds and then go out.
If not successful, the new coded key(s) will not start the vehicle’s engine
and the theft indicator will flash on and off and you may repeat Steps 1
through 5. If failure repeats, bring your vehicle to your dealership to
have the new spare key(s) programmed.

 

A remote start from Ford costs about $250 installed from the dealer. Be very careful buying one and either installing it yourself or having it installed. If anything gets screwed up you will void the warranty. If a Ford unit is installed at the dealer it is warranteed for 3/36 as is the vehicle. That enough convinced me to buy the Ford unit, and it has given me great perfcormance!

 

I just put a code alarm in my 08.

Bought it from Travis at KC Autosound. Sent detailed installation instructions specific to my vehicle, made it easy as long as your comfortable with a test light and wire strippers. I installed electronic bypass module that plugs right into the alarm, so no hidden key. I would not have done it with out his detailed wiring diagram. The generic Code Alarm instructions leave alot to be desired.

Cost me $250 for one with up to a mile range. Wouldn't be without one here in MI. Dealer ones typically do not reach our very far. And with # of wires that get connected (like 20) I wanted to make sure it got done right and took my time to tape them up properly.

 

you get what you pay for. I'd get the Ford one, which is made by Code Alarm, or get regular Code Alarm or Viper unit, you can get a programmable pats key bypass module so you don't have to hide a spare key in the dash.

Stick with a good brand name. Sometimes you can find good deals on the brand names ones on ebay.

 

Ok thanks guys I will probably go with something from KC autosound. I might check with ebay more. Havent seen a good name brand one that caught my eye. I like to have one that is detailed on how to install it. So I will give them a call thanks

 

Does the ford remote start, have any kind of light or anything on the remote letting you know that the vehicle has started?

 

I am 99% Sure that it does not.