Hi All,


OK - I've decided to install (or have installed) a remote starter for my 2003 CTD.

My questions are:

1) I will be plugging the truck in on a timer since we are starting to see below 0c at night. Can I use the remote starter and start the truck WITH the truck still plugged in?? Or must it be unpluged before being started?

2) The remote starter I'm looking at uses a timer to wait for the grid heaters to end thier cycle. What's the most you have waited on those cold mornings for cycle to finish?

As an example, this morning it was -8c outside...the grid heater cycle ws only about 8 seconds before it when out.
Will it be longer on colder days? The remote starter I am getting is timed i.e 15 secs, 30 secs. etc.

Thanks in advance.
Rob.

 

-You can start it while still plugged in. No problem there.
- Fifteen below requires 30 seconds unplugged, maybe 5-10 seconds plugged in for 3 hours. That's the coldest I've seen here.
- Yes, with a stone cold engine, the colder the outside air temperature the longer it takes to heat the intake air.

 

Thanks.....

Another question - how long can you wait to start AFTER a grid heat cycle? What's the max delay before you crank her?

Cheers

 

The sooner you crank it after the heat cycle, the hotter the charge will be. I know where you're going with this, and I'd say you'll be fine if you preset a fixed delay into the autostarter of say...30 seconds. It's ok to interrupt the W.T.S. cycle too. Cranking will end the grid cycle, and the engine will start....she'll complain a little ...but she'll start.

 

can some one post a link to a remote starter like this with a timer? where do you get these, i want one
thanks
eric

 

There are alot out there. Depends on your preference. I like Crimestopper.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...05901&tc=photo

 

factory starter works ok also, from mopar

 

Ultra Start makes a decent remote starter. I have had one for almost a year now and I have had no complaints. I especially like the turbo timer in the summer for shutting down by itself. I can just leave the truck and wait for people to tell me my truck is still running. That's the fun part.

 

How hard is it to install the remote starter/turbo timer units? Any major wiring involved?

 

Chrismez, It was pretty hard. I think I'm pretty good with electrical but I'd never done a remote start or alarm before. I was pricing around and getting quotes of $450 -$650 installed for a complete security/Rs system. I wanted the kind with the two way remote that tells you if the truck is running or not ( so you don't have to see the truck). I bought a sytem from a company online(Valet 554r) that offers tech suport and wiring diagrams for $229.00. It's the same system as a Viper 791 top of the line that is sold by alot of different shops. It's sold by a company called DEI that sells most of the alrams sold in the US.

I sodered every connection, because being in the auto repair business I've seen way to many problems with crappy alrams and RS system installs. I couldnt imagine leaving my truck with some punk kid at Circuit City to hack up my wiring.

I thought it was the hardest thing to figure out I've ever done on a car or truck, but it works great and I can't believe I've lived without one for so long.
Overall it took me about 10 hours . I'm doing my wifes this weekend on her truck so I hope to cut that time in half. Let me know if you have any questions.

Also see www.the12volt.com. You can download diagrams and ask questions.

 

Why not get a better remote start that actually hooks up the the grid heater light and starts the second the light goes off, much better the "timer" method.

I have a Compustar that works this way and it is perfect. Also I have it set up to where I can turn the exhaust break on and off with the remote for even faster warm up. It also has the turbo timer.

As for instal, well I had some one do mine and I am pretty mechanical. I have installed them on the older vehicles and that is pretty easy. On the 03's and up they use wierd voltages and pulses on alot of thing (like door locks) which mean that you have to install relays and resistors so you don't get the wrong voltage to them.

 

Thanks for the info. I was getting quotes of $400-500. I just can't see paying that much just to start my truck from inside the house. I like the option but the price is a little steep. I really doesn't get to cold in Los Angeles even thought it is supposed to hit 39 degrees tomorrow. I guess i better get the owners manual out and figure out how to turn the heater on