i was wondering what peoples thoughts are on remote start with these diesels? i got one for my gas ramcharger and it has been great but now a friend of mine is kind of wanting one for his 91 w250 diesel and i have seen a few for sale that should with with his truck. my only concern would be with the grid heater possibly causing issues with the virtual tach. anyone know much about that? i know on a couple occasions on my RC the starter has engaged when the voltage took a good drop while engine was running which taught me to turn the remote start off before turning everything on but on a diesel i know the grid heaters usually keep cycling on and off for a couple minutes after start up until warm and not needed. i was thinking at pointing him at a Pro Start brand one just like i have but before getting his hopes up i wouldn't mind trying to sort out the bugs before taking on the job or just screwing up something on his truck. we have spent enough time fixing stuff on his truck already without creating more issues. nearly a brand new truck at this point. thanks in advance

 

I have had a Pro Start on my 24V for the last 6 years or so. No problems in that time. Just make sure that a COMPETENT installer does the job as there are specific settings and switches that need to be implemented on a diesel installation. These settings seem to manage the start grids and other unique details for starting the diesel. I'm pretty sure that not all models of the Pro Start are compatible with diesel engines so make that what's in the box will work with a diesel application.

Cheers!

Mike

 

Most remote starts only allow for one grid heater cycle. In your cold region that might not be enough to start the truck.

Your 91 might be a problem also. Those remotes need a RPM signal. That is used to turn the starter off. That 91 has no RPM provisions from the factory. So that's something else to figure into the mix.

 

i got that cover. i may not be a pro but i an pretty good with wiring, electrical and tracking down issues and making it work. i think almost all them are diesel compatible. i know almost every one i have looked at even looks like it is compatible for both standard and auto vehicles.
ya that is true but usually his truck start pretty good especially since he got that new battery this year.

actually a lot of remote starters have a virtual tach which goes off of battery voltage to tell if the truck is running for vehicles without wiring for a tach or signal of some sort to tell if the engine is running. if the truck had a crank position sensor i think it would make it a lot easier but i don't think it does or i don't remember seeing one when we had the cab off

 

A 91 will not have a CPS.

I don't know if I would trust a virtual tach with the amps our grids pull. You might end up with a starter and flex plate or ring gear eaten up.

On the 92/93's the grids cycle once. Then the PCM turns them back on after it sees RPM. The old style controller that 91 has I am not 100% sure of its operation. One of those member will have to speak up.

 

but with no CPS i would really have no choice but to rely on the virtual tach. i didn't think of it originally but i had thought about adding a relay to the starter wire that is activated when the grid heaters are on and essentially disconnect the wire when power is added. that way when the grid heaters are on it would prevent the starter from being activated.

 

well i figure i would give a bit of an update. my friend picked up the kit on Monday and installed it today after work. so far it seems to be working with no major issues. did have a couple small issues. i tried installing a relay to keep the starter from engaging when the grid heaters were on but for some reason it wasn't working. i didn't have wiring diagrams with me so i was not 100% sure which wire on grid heater solenoid was right one to use. the only thing i new for sure was the relay i installed was getting power when it shouldn't have. going to see about looking at that on a warmer day. also had issues with the wait to start light circuit on the remote starter. when i would have the wait to start wire hooked up to the light the remote starter would not even try to start the truck. i don't quiet gets what is up with that? nothing i can't probably solve with a bit of time and research.

now i do got to say the newer remote starts are a bit easier to program than the older one like mine. it has a button and led on the transmitter to program it instead of hooking up the hood pin and brake lights to set things up.