2002 QX4 Remote Start

[funnyman82]

Hello everyone,

With the cold weather starting was interested in putting a remote start. Is this a DIY friendly thing to do or should I leave it to the pros? Has anyone had one installed here? What kind of addons do i require to make this work?

Thank you!

[prelude48]

I would leave it to the pros, the Qx4 and finder both have chipped keys meaning the chip in your key (blue thing on the bottom of your key) has a set value of resistance that has to be met by the security system. If you ever get a key cut and try to start your truck it was start then die, start then die.

When you go to install a command start you need a security bypass box, this holds a spare key inside it so when the command start tries to start your truck it uses the keys in the box to meet the resistance requirements. Times are changing so maybe you dont need a security box anymore. This is the system i have on my Qx4, it lets me know when it starts and if its locked from3000ft away.

Good luck

[Densetsu]

When I tried to install one myself in my '95 Chev, it was a nightmare. I looked at step 1, disassembled the steering column, and still had no way to get to all the wiring that was required. Plus I'd have to disassemble the stereo (no idea but they wanted wires attached there), the dash to hide components, drill a hole through the firewall to run wires to the engine compartment, etc etc etc. And there was a module I'd have to buy to make the remote start work with my chipped key.

In the end, since I bought the remote start online, I had to pay a shop $300 to install it. Go the easy route, buy a system from a good place and they'll probably install it for just the costs of parts.

[Buzzman]

I have a 2002 Pathfinder and I put in a remote start two and a half years ago.
It is not a DIY job, that's for sure. It's complicated. I wouldn't try it if I were you.
I bought mine at Future Shop (I'm in Canada), and it included installation.
It took about six hours for the guy to install it, so the price of the unit just about covered the labour.
I also shopped around several different stores and found the most experienced installer I could find.
I asked a lot of questions of the techs to see who knew what.
I wasn't that concerned about saving 10 bucks here and there.
I was more concerned about finding someone that knew what he was doing. The guy I found was great.
He knew the truck and had done one before.
As for the bypass thing, you don't have to keep an extra key hidden somewhere anymore.
There are bypass modules that mimic the key, thus making the truck think that the key is in the ignition.
I went a little more expensive as well, and bought a two way system. This means that the truck sends a signal back to my remote to let me know if it actually started or not.
That's a nice feature when you are a quarter of a mile away and don't have eye contact with the vehicle.

[funnyman82]

Wow, ok i guess i gotta take it in to get it done.

Buzzman, which model did you get from Future Shop? I was looking there, Best Buy and Canadian Tire for them. How much did you end up paying in total with all the extra modules and other parts?

Thank you for all your help!

[Buzzman]

I actually have starters in both my vehicles:
The wife's 2006 Altima has a Nustart 2-way from Best Buy. Paid close to $500.00 when all was said and done.
Has worked well with no issues except battery life is shorter than I'd like. Has very good range.
My truck has the Compustar from Future Shop. I'm wrong about the 2-way part on that one.
I was thinking about the wife's car when I wrote my earlier post.
It has worked flawlessly as well, and I'm still on the first battery.
It has a long range, and the truck is always running when I get to it.
I was on the 23rd floor of an apartment building a few weeks ago. I leaned over the balcony and started the truck from there, even though it was at the back of the parking lot.
I think that one cost me about $400.00 installed.
In both cases there was an extra charge for the bypass module.
I had no problem with that (and I didn't have to give up or donate a spare key, as some folks have suggested might happen.)
As for Canadian Tire, I have a personal beef with them, and boycott them at every opportunity.
Whatever you end up buying, like I said earlier, try to find the right guy to do the work. It's complicated and you don't want problems down the line.
Good luck.

[ARKQX33V6]

Too many interlocks with alarms, doors etc. If you are not electric wise, DO NOT DO IT. Even if you are knowledgeable a remote starter left to its own devices can take out an engine low on oil.

I would never start my engine away fro my eyes, ears, nose no matter how cold. If some thing goes wrong your senses know but if your not there.....

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I installed my Viper 5901 (Alarm w/Remote Starter) with only one issue but it was easily fixed by looking in the FSM. I wouldn't recommend installing it yourself if you're not technically inclined. It requires knowledge of wiring schematics, voltages and currents, relays, and soldering. I would definitely recommend having one installed, it makes life so much better. There's nothing like getting in a warm car when its below zero outside.

[Buzzman]

One additional piece of advice: (from experience).
If you intend to start your car remotely before you head out somewhere, try to remember to adjust all your interior settings BEFORE you get out of the vehicle prior to that.
By this I mean the heater or A/C settings, blower speed, seat warmer (if you have one), and wipers, etc.
Guaranteed the settings you have it on when you get out, will NOT be the same as the settings you want when you start it up again.
I learned this lesson the hard way with my wipers in the winter.
The truck was nice and warm when I got home, and I had my wipers set on intermittent. I didn't turn them off when I shut it down.
The next morning I remote started it, and pretty much ripped my wipers off because they tried to swipe......and they were frozen to the windshield. Lesson learned.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I would kill for heated seats. Heated seats + remote start = heaven.

[Chuck Tribolet]

I'll second that this is not for amateurs. I'm in the midst of installing a remote keyless entry system in my '87
'vette (no remote start, but factory power door locks and factory alarm). Even with some good documentation on
installing a similar unit (10 years earlier from same vendor), and a masters degree in electrical engineering,
It's taken a good deal of head scratching.

Chuck

[CanuckQx4]

I once went and talked to a local place that was having a deal on remote starters.

After hearing all the modules and bypasses they needed the price was through the roof and wasnt worth it for me.

Ive settled for a 1000watt heater on a timer for the time being lol, screw you canada

[funnyman82]

does anyone use the block heater? I was thinking of plugging it in with a timer for maybe 4 hrs before i use the QX in the morning...what do you think?

[prelude48]

Depends on the outside Temp, if its lower then -30 Celsius id leave it plugged in over night, if its only -20 then put it on a timer for 5 hours. I park my truck inside, when i go somewhere i jump in and role outside and let it run a little before i drive off, Then when i get to my destination i jump out and relies how stupid i am for only wearing a sweater and its -30.

Can you tell where im from when i say "only -20"

[Buzzman]

does anyone use the block heater?

I seem to remember a fairly good discussion on this subject a year or two ago on this site.
Lots of differing opinions on this subject, that's for sure.
As for me, it's not so much about whether the truck will start, as it is about protecting the engine in cold weather.
Lots of guys brag about how their car starts when it's 40 below and not plugged in. Woo woo on that. Big deal.
Problem is, the oil is so freekin' thick at that temperature that when the engine starts, it gets little or no lubrication for 10-20 seconds....or more.
I'd rather spend a few extra pennies on my electricity bill, and have my engine warmed up by the block heater.
(It also helps to run synthetic oil in the winter BTW. It doesn't turn into molasses at freezing temperatures.)
Do your engine a favour, and plug it in.
Oh yea, one more thing that amuses me to no end: have you seen the guy that starts his car on a cold morning, and then revs the s*** out of it to "warm it up"? Every neighbourhood has at least one idiot like that, I'm sure.