Remote engine starter (OEM) - your feedback

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Old 03-20-2014 | 01:41 PM
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Question Remote engine starter (OEM) - your feedback

Remote engine starter for my MDX tech which is Acura installed, works only 50% of the time. Sometimes it works from a distance of 150 ft but sometimes it does not even work from a 5 to 10 ft distance!
Anyone else has the same problem?
Old 03-20-2014 | 03:07 PM
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OEM remote start

I've had it since delivery and it has worked well consistently, albeit, not from the purported 328 feet distance they list. It works great from a couple hundred feet when I have a straight-line view to it and no problems from close distances. Ur probably doing this already, but u must first press the lock doors button first and wait for the successful green LED light to illuminate on the remote,
then hit start and hold for 2 sec. If ur still having issues, especially from closer distances, I would have dealership check out. Is it happening with both transmitters?
Old 03-20-2014 | 07:56 PM
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Mine works fine. I had considered the Viper but the thought of having to key fobs was just out of the question. If it won't work from a few feet away you definitely need to see your dealer.
Old 03-21-2014 | 09:09 AM
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The other day I was struggling with the remote start, just wouldn't work , however I did find the issue, my wife had left her purse with her key inside the car. Same thing happens if her key is anywhere close to the car when I try the remote. For me it was one mystery solved.
Old 03-21-2014 | 11:14 AM
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for me work perfectly fine, as long I can get the lock "confirmation of green light" then I hold "ENGINE" for 2 secs (usually after the 2nd orange light come on then I release button)
Old 03-22-2014 | 10:47 AM
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I do carry out all the steps required. First press the lock doors button and wait for the successful green LED light to illuminate on the remote then hit start and hold till I get the 2 orange lights confirmation. But this does not always work for me. Sometimes even the door lock is not successful. I haven't tried the 2nd remote yet. Maybe I will try that. Another problem taking it to the dealership is that I have to make a week day appointment before I can take the car in and its very difficult for me to do that on weekdays and with my luck they may not be able to duplicate the problem that day since it does work sometimes and may want to work on that day. Will wait till it really becomes a nuisance.
Old 03-26-2014 | 09:03 PM
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The only time I have ever seen an issue with the MDX OEM remote start system is user error.

1) Press Lock until you see the orange light flash on the remote.
2) Press the Engine Start button next until you see the orange light flash.
3) Let go, the orange light will flash 3 times and then turn to solid green if the engine starts.

That's it.
Old 03-27-2014 | 09:02 AM
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Yes, I do follow the steps but 6 times out of 10 I see a red light when step#1 is carried out so can't go to steps 2 & 3.
Sometimes when step 1 does work then step 2 does not work!
Old 03-28-2014 | 02:37 PM
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Have only had mine for less than a week. I agree the transmission distance isn't what is advertised but it works. It is somewhat flakey where I have to try more than once for it to start but at least it has that indicator light.
Old 04-15-2014 | 04:51 PM
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If you get the remote start as an accessory, do you get to keep the pair of original remotes? thanks
Old 04-17-2014 | 01:23 AM
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I'm also having issues. Last week I got it to start from about 500 feet but I was standing on a parking ramp looking down at the MDX 500 feet away in another lot with the back of the MDX more or less facing me. Today, it would not start on the street at a parking meter with the MDX facing me until I was within about 75 feet. At my office from a 4th story window looking down at the MDX about 250 feet away, it will not start. Yet it will start from in my house in the garage so walls alone don't seem to be the issue.

I wonder if interference from wifi etc. can affect it?

I haven't tried my other Fob yet but will do so and let you know. Miss my Aftermarket remote on my old Veracruz which was good for 1500 feet.
Old 04-18-2014 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Nano
If you get the remote start as an accessory, do you get to keep the pair of original remotes? thanks

Yes, you would have 4 sets of keys!
Old 04-18-2014 | 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by SMMN
I'm also having issues. Last week I got it to start from about 500 feet but I was standing on a parking ramp looking down at the MDX 500 feet away in another lot with the back of the MDX more or less facing me. Today, it would not start on the street at a parking meter with the MDX facing me until I was within about 75 feet. At my office from a 4th story window looking down at the MDX about 250 feet away, it will not start. Yet it will start from in my house in the garage so walls alone don't seem to be the issue.

I wonder if interference from wifi etc. can affect it?

I haven't tried my other Fob yet but will do so and let you know. Miss my Aftermarket remote on my old Veracruz which was good for 1500 feet.

Did you try the other fob? My second remote seems to be working better than the first one! I have the same problem as yours. The auto start works thru the walls most times but does not work in the open area a lot of times!
Old 04-19-2014 | 04:13 AM
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Originally Posted by tffm24
Did you try the other fob? My second remote seems to be working better than the first one! I have the same problem as yours. The auto start works thru the walls most times but does not work in the open area a lot of times!
Not a difference with the other remote.

Viper Smartstart here I come...
Old 04-20-2014 | 12:01 PM
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Local sales rep said engine shuts off if you open the door after remote start. Is that true? Can you change it to not shut off?

Thanks.
Old 04-20-2014 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by driver
Local sales rep said engine shuts off if you open the door after remote start. Is that true? Can you change it to not shut off?

Thanks.
That's definitely not true. I can open the door and get in the car, with the engine still running. It wouldn't make much sense otherwise. You still need to step on brake and push the start button to drive though.
Old 04-20-2014 | 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by kinmanc
That's definitely not true. I can open the door and get in the car, with the engine still running. It wouldn't make much sense otherwise. You still need to step on brake and push the start button to drive though.
Hey thanks for the clarification. I assume it's the same way for the Advance which comes with factory remote start.

Believe it or not that is how it works on Lexus. It will shut the car off if anyone opens the door.
Old 04-20-2014 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by driver
Hey thanks for the clarification. I assume it's the same way for the Advance which comes with factory remote start.

Believe it or not that is how it works on Lexus. It will shut the car off if anyone opens the door.
that's how it works on the Honda Accord OEM remote start. Open the door or trunk and the engine turns off. So it's nice that the MDX stays on.
Old 05-01-2014 | 06:22 AM
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same experience----works about 25-50 feet away

it is a shame they couldnt have borrowed viper technology

i am very dissatisfied and have let acura know this--

i had a python remote starter on my 2008 acura mdx and it worked 2000 feet away
Old 05-01-2014 | 06:31 AM
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the solution is right around the corner----i will keep the oem starter but have viper instal a remote transceiver module when it becomes available this summer

In retrospect i would heartily dissuade anyone from buying the acura remote starter

go to www.xpresskit.com website and in upper right put in 2014 then acura and you will notice mdx not listed as available YET--keep checking back

in mean time get an installer lined up to do the instal professionally
Old 05-02-2014 | 01:13 AM
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Or Acura could just setup the Acuralink App to remote start it like Lexus and GM.
Old 05-02-2014 | 10:38 AM
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Imagine if some prankster could hack in to the system and start fooling around!

Originally Posted by SMMN
Or Acura could just setup the Acuralink App to remote start it like Lexus and GM.
Old 05-03-2014 | 01:34 AM
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Originally Posted by upnorth85
Imagine if some prankster could hack in to the system and start fooling around!
Haven't heard it being an issue for the other manufacturers.. Is it anymore risk than a standard remote start? Anyway, I'd gladly take that risk..besides, if that can be hacked then so can other features on the Acuralink app like unlock doors.
Old 07-11-2014 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by kinmanc
That's definitely not true. I can open the door and get in the car, with the engine still running. It wouldn't make much sense otherwise. You still need to step on brake and push the start button to drive though.
when you step on the brake, does the motor shut off as a safety? or because it detects the key in your pocket, the car stays running and by pressing the start button on the dash, it essentially takes over from the remote start unit.
Old 07-11-2014 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by KaMLuNg
when you step on the brake, does the motor shut off as a safety? or because it detects the key in your pocket, the car stays running and by pressing the start button on the dash, it essentially takes over from the remote start unit.
the motor does NOT shut off. When you press the brake and push the red start button you can put the car in gear and drive....
Old 07-11-2014 | 06:45 PM
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here's a video explaining it if anyone is interested:

http://owners.acura.com/vehicles/inf...Engine-Start/2
Old 07-12-2014 | 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by unr1
the motor does NOT shut off. When you press the brake and push the red start button you can put the car in gear and drive....
We have remote start on our MDX and it feels like MDX restarts the engine when you press brake + start button after remote start.
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Old 07-12-2014 | 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by driver
We have remote start on our MDX and it feels like MDX restarts the engine when you press brake + start button after remote start.
thanks for the clarification. Does it turn off and turn back on or just kinda "feel" like it quickly restarted.
Old 07-12-2014 | 09:32 AM
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It feels just like you starting the car except that car was already running.
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Old 07-12-2014 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by driver
It feels just like you starting the car except that car was already running.
got it. Sorry I was told different and you have real world experience.
If I could edit that post I would.

I like how the car doesn't turn off when you open the driver door. That's gonna be really nice on hot days.
Old 07-12-2014 | 11:17 AM
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Since that's how you thought it was working and trying to help others I don't see any issues. I think it's great that people like you try to help others on these forums.

Remote start is also good during winters when you need to heat the car before you get in but keep in mind I believe they stated it will shut off after 10 minutes.
Old 07-12-2014 | 11:51 AM
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I havd it installed on my Tech about a year ago and it'd been working fine since then
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