Remote car starter/electrical system

[Molly02]

Hi--I was wondering if anyone out there has tried to buy a remote car starter from a dealer for a new Nissan Versa. I tried to buy one as a gift for a friend, who I had to tell even thogh I would rather it be a surprise. When he asked the service dept., he was discourageed from having one installed due to "possible problems with the electrical system". Has anyone had any problems with the electrical system in a Versa? Thanks allot!!

[iluvmyVersa08]

Hi--I was wondering if anyone out there has tried to buy a remote car starter from a dealer for a new Nissan Versa. I tried to buy one as a gift for a friend, who I had to tell even thogh I would rather it be a surprise. When he asked the service dept., he was discourageed from having one installed due to "possible problems with the electrical system". Has anyone had any problems with the electrical system in a Versa? Thanks allot!!

Hey!

I want a remote starter too for my Versa, but I'm not sure about the dealer warranty and how it would affect it. I wanted to get a remote starter for the Versa from the dealership but I'm not sure that they install it.

On my old car I bought a remote starter at Futureshop and had it installed there, but that car didn't have a warranty on it as it was old so I didn't have to worry.

However with our Versa's they have to do something about the chip, and would have to bypass something in order to allow the car to start without the key inside of it.

Did you buy him an aftermarket remote starter and are hoping to get it installed at the dealership?

[Molly02]

No, I haven't bought anything yet, I was just looking into having it installed at the dealer, which I read somewhere is preferable. I'm also wondering how it would affect the warranty.

[Promise Land]

The dealer would have to prove that your wiring job caused any issues to the electrical system. I wouldn't worry about the warranty issue if you use a reputable source for the installation.

As for making it work, the hardest part will be to bypass the key transponder that your car has. It's meant as a theft-deterant to not allow the car to start without the key in the ignition. An easy way to bypass that is to tape one of the original keys inside the dash. Your car will think the key is in the ignition and allow the ignition to work properly. BUT, that also would allow a person to hotwire it.

[Codelicious]

The dealer would have to prove that your wiring job caused any issues to the electrical system. I wouldn't worry about the warranty issue if you use a reputable source for the installation.

As for making it work, the hardest part will be to bypass the key transponder that your car has. It's meant as a theft-deterant to not allow the car to start without the key in the ignition. An easy way to bypass that is to tape one of the original keys inside the dash. Your car will think the key is in the ignition and allow the ignition to work properly. BUT, that also would allow a person to hotwire it.

If we are talking about SL's here (with the iKey) than taping or hiding an iKey inside the car wouldn't work. If you left the iKey in the car than the car wouldn't even lock and than if someone wanted to they could just jump in and drive away. Not a good idea.

There has got to be a way to get around the iKey being in the car for a remote start... I just don't know how. lol

[Broadfield]

I haven't had a chance to install a remote start on a smart key Versa, but I have done it many times on all of the other push buttons...... Maxima, Altima, Murano, the Infinity versions etc. I have had no issues on any of those. The install is much more difficult than your run of the mill remote starter install, but it's not the worst thing in the world. I know a lot of your average shops will not do them just because their techs just aren't experienced enough. Other shops install them so that the remote starter shuts down when you open the door..... this is not acceptable in my opinion. The proper way is difficult, but if done correctly, the remote starter will function exactly like any other "keyed" ignition.

By law, the dealer cannot void your warranty unless they can prove the damage was caused by the remote start without a shadow of a doubt.

[iluvmyVersa08]

I haven't had a chance to install a remote start on a smart key Versa, but I have done it many times on all of the other push buttons...... Maxima, Altima, Murano, the Infinity versions etc. I have had no issues on any of those. The install is much more difficult than your run of the mill remote starter install, but it's not the worst thing in the world. I know a lot of your average shops will not do them just because their techs just aren't experienced enough. Other shops install them so that the remote starter shuts down when you open the door..... this is not acceptable in my opinion. The proper way is difficult, but if done correctly, the remote starter will function exactly like any other "keyed" ignition.

By law, the dealer cannot void your warranty unless they can prove the damage was caused by the remote start without a shadow of a doubt.

I asked my dealer about installing a remote starter and they basically said it was a very bad idea, and that if something did happen in the future, Nissan would not be responsible for any damages (ie. warranty would not cover it).

[Broadfield]

I asked my dealer about installing a remote starter and they basically said it was a very bad idea, and that if something did happen in the future, Nissan would not be responsible for any damages (ie. warranty would not cover it).

They are lying to you. In the 16 years I have been doing this, my shop has installed around 5000 remote starters. Out of those 5000 we have had ZERO dealership issues. In other words, we have never had a remote start issue that caused the denial of warranty from a dealership. Service departments will blame a low tire pressure on the remote starter if the car has one..... it's ridiculous. But I have never had a dealership prove that an issue with the vehicle was because of the remote starter. Now keep in mind, whenever you hear these horror stories of cars catching on fire, burning up BCM's etc., it's because of a bad install. That's why you don't have non-experienced installer work on your car. Make sure they have at least 3 yeas or so under their belt and have installed at least 50 - 100 starters.

For what it's worth, every dealership in my town, including a big Nissan dealership bring me their brand new cars to have remote starters installed.

Below is legal proof that a dealership cannot deny you warranty just because you have a remote starter or alarm on your car. Now if the system is installed incorrectly, not fused etc. and thus burning up a relay in the car..... then they are obviously not going to warranty that relay as long as they can prove it was the remote starter/alarm. What this act states is that a dealership cannot void your "entire" warranty because of the installed unit. So if the rear end goes out on your car, they can't blame it on the remote start, and then deny you warranty on it.

Magnuson Moss Act

Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act, a vehicle manufacturer may not make its vehicle warranty conditional on the use of any brand of security system unless the manufacturer provides the system free of charge or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has specifically published that only the vehicle manufacturer’s product may be used. To challenge a false claim, ask the person to put it in writing, or request the vehicle manufacturer’s security system free of charge. If you are charged for the security system, or they refuse to give you a written statement, there may be a violation of Federal law.

This is the actual language of the act:

No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer’s using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this sub-section may be waived by the Commission if:

1. the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and 2. the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.

The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction of any action brought by the Attorney General (in his capacity as such), or by the Commission by any of its attorneys designated by it for such purpose, to restrain (A) any warrantor from making a deceptive warranty with respect to a consumer product, or (B) any person from failing to comply with any requirement imposed on such person or pursuant to this chapter or from violating any prohibition contained in this chapter.

[iluvmyVersa08]

All I know is that is what they told me, and after spending the extra money for the 7 year warranty, I don't want to do anything that could void it.

Maybe in a couple years I'll get it when my warranty is closer to expiring, but for now, since that is my dealership, and the only one in my city, I'll have to go with their word.