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Your Recommendations on a Remote Start + Keyless Entry System

JohnnyT

JohnnyT

New Member
Looking at getting a cheap system for the Tbird now that I'm parking outside at work. I've never installed one of these but do have a basic wiring diagram for the car. Has anyone done an install on these? I have limited experience in wiring (re: basic audio deck and sub installs) and most people's reviews on these bitch about the install but I have a feeling they're a bit less competent. One of my buddy's coworkers does installs on these and charges about $120-150. I realize it may be worth it but want others to chime in if they have experience.

Major factors are price and easy install (if I choose to do it myself). I'd like to stay under $100 for the kit. I'm literally 20 feet away from the car, so range isn't a huge deal. I don't plan to wire any auxiliary up. I just need a simple remote start with keyless entry (I already have power locks) and don't care for remote trunk release or window operations with the remote. I also don't care for a two-way system as one way will work just fine.

Here are the 3 options I'm looking at:

1.) Viper 4103XV - $53 - http://www.amazon.com/Viper-4103XV-4-Button-Remote-Keyless/dp/B0064P0N6G

2.) AutoPage C3-RS603 - $53 - http://www.amazon.com/AutoPage-Remote-Starter-Keyless-Entry/dp/B002GPL8RQ

3.) Python 1401 - $98 - http://www.amazon.com/Python-1401-Remote-Keyless-System/dp/B001IA8OUE

I'm very open to other ideas - looking for advice and recommendations here so willing to look at anything.

Thanks.
 
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007CobaltLS

Member
I used to do a lot of wiring for audio. I've recently started doing it again on my Cobalt. I wanted to get a remote start for this car, but I don't want to pay someone and I don't want to do it myself because of how much electrical wiring there is in the fucking new cars. On my 99 Saturn coupe, I did my own remote start, that was super easy.

I guess I'll ask...what year is your Tbird...I'm guessing it would be relatively easy to install one in that car, but I can't tell you for sure. I didn't have any of those systems though. I purchased a cheap ass one from Target for $50 or $60, can't remember the brand...Bulldog or Autopage I wanna say for the brand...but whatever, it was cheap, but it worked fine for the couple years I used it.

When I hooked mine up though, I didn't wire in the keyless entry, just the remote start feature since I had my other remote for keyless...that saved a bunch of time in install and hassle with a couple things I didn't want to mess with. Some of the cheap DIY kits have access to all the wiring diagrams, but you have those yourself...just need to make sure you have details as to which wire on the remote start hooks to what in the car. I don't think it matters at that price point which you go with, but Python and Viper are decent...both are owned by DEI along with Avital, Astropage, and a few others. Pricewise, I say Viper. I'm pretty sure mine was Autopage much like that one listed....4 button remote, not 5 though.
 
JohnnyT

JohnnyT

New Member
007CobaltLS said:
I used to do a lot of wiring for audio. I've recently started doing it again on my Cobalt. I wanted to get a remote start for this car, but I don't want to pay someone and I don't want to do it myself because of how much electrical wiring there is in the fucking new cars. On my 99 Saturn coupe, I did my own remote start, that was super easy.

I guess I'll ask...what year is your Tbird...I'm guessing it would be relatively easy to install one in that car, but I can't tell you for sure. I didn't have any of those systems though. I purchased a cheap ass one from Target for $50 or $60, can't remember the brand...Bulldog or Autopage I wanna say for the brand...but whatever, it was cheap, but it worked fine for the couple years I used it.

When I hooked mine up though, I didn't wire in the keyless entry, just the remote start feature since I had my other remote for keyless...that saved a bunch of time in install and hassle with a couple things I didn't want to mess with. Some of the cheap DIY kits have access to all the wiring diagrams, but you have those yourself...just need to make sure you have details as to which wire on the remote start hooks to what in the car. I don't think it matters at that price point which you go with, but Python and Viper are decent...both are owned by DEI along with Avital, Astropage, and a few others. Pricewise, I say Viper. I'm pretty sure mine was Autopage much like that one listed....4 button remote, not 5 though.
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It's a '97. It's not exactly an electrical nightmare, but I would like to have the keyless hooked up. I'm leaning towards the Viper one now that I found an install manual online. Man, those are tough to find. Are there any optional accessories I'd need? Crutchfield just recommends diodes and relays but I'm not going to hook up any auxiliaries so I don't think I'd need anything besides what's in the box.

007CobaltLS said:
Oh, and if I were to get one now, I would get Avital from Best Buy (just because I would have them install it...I know a couple of decent installers that were recommended to me by other friends who used to work at BB). The 4113 is the model I would get...basic 1 button remote start...but my Cobalt is a base model LS so it doesn't have any power options.

http://www.amazon.com/Avital-4113LX-Remote-1-Button-Remotes/dp/B002KRJOX0
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Definitely NOT going to BB for an install. I suppose if you have friends that's one thing, but I'd surely make some enemies with the staff near me.
 
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007CobaltLS

Member
Honestly, I don't know what else you would need. Do the T-birds have keys that use a transponder? If so, you might need something additional, otherwise I can't help you there. I have only done one and it was a half-assed install on my part because I didn't care how well it was done as long as it was done and was proper.
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
I will throw in my limited experience here... Bought a bulldog kit from target for a 2000 focus with a transponder key. The wiring was a piece of cake but for the life of me I could never get the transponder bypass to work. Even after buying a $40 accessory and several emails to customer service. Then I said fuck it.

So yeah if you've got a transponder key, you may want to read some forums and see what kits people have had success with.
 
JohnnyT

JohnnyT

New Member
007CobaltLS said:
Honestly, I don't know what else you would need. Do the T-birds have keys that use a transponder? If so, you might need something additional, otherwise I can't help you there. I have only done one and it was a half-assed install on my part because I didn't care how well it was done as long as it was done and was proper.
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Nope, no transponder key so it should be a relatively easy install. I just like to plan ahead and avoid setbacks so good to hear I probably won't need anything outside of the box.

dmention7 said:
I will throw in my limited experience here... Bought a bulldog kit from target for a 2000 focus with a transponder key. The wiring was a piece of cake but for the life of me I could never get the transponder bypass to work. Even after buying a $40 accessory and several emails to customer service. Then I said fuck it.

So yeah if you've got a transponder key, you may want to read some forums and see what kits people have had success with.
Click to expand...
Heh, I think you have a bit more experience/knowledge but glad to hear you didn't have too much trouble. I think half the battle is decoding the install guide and figuring out what needs or does not need to be connected.

Oh, and I'm pretty much set on the Viper one.
 
JohnnyT

JohnnyT

New Member
I just purchased the Viper 4103XV and I'm going to my buddy's coworker for the install. He said $130 for everything and I figure that's a good enough deal to not have to hassle with it.

Thanks everyone!
 
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007CobaltLS

Member
Good luck. Any issues when you get into the install, post up and maybe we can help. Since you don't have to worry about that stuff, it should be a relatively straight forward install...probably half a dozen wires to splice I would guess...maybe a few more, but you shouldn't run into any other problems.

As long as you have the install guide for it, which you said you found, and you have the wiring for your car, you've got it covered.
 
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