Remote starter installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What remote starter installation is

An installer wires a remote start system into your car, programs the key fobs and security bypass, and tests the start from a distance. You need it for warming or cooling the car before you get in, especially in cold or hot weather.

Signs you need it

  • You want the car warm in winter or cool in summer before you get in
  • Your car is parked outside in extreme weather for long periods
  • You have an existing remote starter that no longer works
  • You want to start the car from a distance for safety or comfort
  • You want an upgrade with a longer range or better features

What the pro does

  • Checks the car's ignition, immobilizer and security system to plan the install
  • Wires the starter to the ignition, brake, door and tachometer signals
  • Installs the bypass module and programs it for the car
  • Programs the key fobs and sets the run time and any features
  • Tests the start, the stop, the lock and unlock, and the safety shutdowns

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether the car has a push button start or a traditional key ignition
  • How complex the immobilizer or security system is to bypass
  • Whether the car has a manual transmission, which changes the install
  • The features chosen, such as range, alarm or remote lock
  • How many key fobs need programming
  • Whether the install requires removing the dash or steering column trim

What a written quote should spell out

  • The starter model and the bypass module used
  • The features included, such as range, run time and alarm
  • Labor for wiring, mounting and programming
  • Key fob programming and the number of fobs
  • Warranty for the parts and the install

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will this work with my car's immobilizer and security system?
  • How do you wire into the ignition and safety circuits?
  • Will the car still lock and unlock normally?
  • How many key fobs will you program?
  • What warranty do you give on the wiring and the parts?
  • What happens if the car does not start remotely?

Red flags

  • Says any car can be done without checking the immobilizer first
  • Wires into the ignition or safety circuits without testing them
  • Will not program or test the safety shutdowns
  • Leaves the car's security system disabled after the install

What you can do yourself

Do not try to wire a remote starter yourself, since it involves the ignition, immobilizer and safety circuits, and a mistake can disable the car or create a fire risk. You can keep your key fobs and the owner's manual handy and note the features you want. Hire an installer for every part of the install.

Licenses and permits

A license is usually not required for remote starter installation. Check with your state or local licensing agency about any business registration that applies, and ask the installer about its insurance.

Remote starter installation questions

Will a remote starter void my warranty?

It can affect some warranties if the install damages a system. Ask the installer and your car maker how the warranty is handled.

Can I use a remote starter with a manual transmission?

Some systems can, but the install is different. Tell the installer your transmission type before quoting.

Why does the car not start after a remote start?

Common causes include a safety shutdown, a door or hood that was open, or a brake signal that was not met. The installer should check these.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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