cogito

Hi All,

Newb here

It's getting pretty cold now and I want to get a remote starter for my wife's 09 TL with tech package. What is a good option if I want to use the factory remote?

Thanks!

wreak

The dealership can do it, but they list the cost of the OEM remote start at $942.00 Canadian (installed). You could always call them and see what they quote you at, they might cut you a deal since the car is no longer in production.

cogito

yeah that's way to expensive! What I was confused by when I was doing my research was this "dball" ... who sells it and does it work for our cars?

wreak

Well here's an eye opener for you, remote start isn't cheap, I know this from experience. Even a cheap econo car will cost you $350+ for remote start. If you do find a low cost option fill me in because I don't think they exist.

cogito

Just got off the phone with Acura... you were pretty much exact with the cost of install.
Plus you have to carry to keys according to the dealer... yeah so no dice

wreak

Damn sorry to hear, I thought they might cut you break on the price. The problem with all the starters at your local Future Shop and Best Buy is that they use their own shitty remotes. You'll probably have to go in and actually talk with a shop that specializes installing them to get a clear answer on what's out there (if anything) that lets you keep your factory key.

Brock79

Most places in my area charge around 350-400 for remote start with a smart key. There is no additional fob, they program your stock fob somehow and you're good to go. The one I bought for my wife only needs the lock button pushed three times and it starts right up.

cogito

^ any info on what the name of the product is that allows you to do that?

Thanks!

Brock79

I don't remember off the top of my head, I have to look through the paperwork on it. Most car audio shops offer that option. I would go to one in your area with a good reputation and ask them about what brand/s they offer and options.

Brock79

The brand is avital model 4103, it's been working great for two years now. I know there are other brands out there. Viper makes one but I believe they are closer to 500 installed.

wreak

Found this on Amazon, but you're better of talking to a shop I wouldn't attempt to install something like this yourself.

cogito

Got the viper for $150

Viper LED 2-Way Remote Start System

How much should install cost? ... Lowest I've been quoted is $250 for the module, programming, labour etc...

PinotGrigio

The factory acura remote start fob is fairly large ..I never actually put it on my main key chain , usually throw it in my gym bag or coat pocket . It does have some nice features though , and it gives you a certain peace of mind being a factory acura part.

Tonyware

Go to an Acura dealer to have this installed. Its not the hardware installation that worries me, but the software/firmware upgrade required. I am sure all professionals non-Acura certified dealers are very good and do a good job. However, if that software/firmware upgrade gets messed up then you are looking at some major problems. Plus, if you are still under warranty and something bad happens, I seriously doubt that a mama and papa shop can afford the liability to fix a $6k computer, or that a real Acura dealer will cut you any slack with the warranty of the car when they see what happened. Also there are implications with your insurance company, check the fine print before installing non-dealer electronics with access to vital systems of the car.

... just a thought.

Brock79

Like I said between 350 and 400.

echodigital

This is a post to check out. It is expensive but nice to have in the winter.

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-b...-start-899047/

03sixer

So Amazon has it for $164. Walmart.com has it for $49, exact same model number. Why such a discrepancy in price? Anyone know? Does this thing come with everything needed to make it work?

BDoggPrelude

What about the Viper/Clifford SmartStart system? It's $149 and works with a smartphone app.

Viper SmartStart

acupower

I installed the factory remote starter myself. The installation took me a couple of hours. There is a step-by-step instruction manual made by Acura that even tells you where to put zip ties. It's that easy.

Programming the immobilizer module took 10 minutes. But to do that you need the HDS HIM.

acupower

Here are the instructions for 2010 Tech (they are the same as the 2009 Tech):

http://www.acurapartswarehouse.com/r...tech-model.pdf

03sixer

One review on Amazon for this. I know it shuts off when you open the door as it doesn't have the ability to do "takeover" or whatever. However, is your remote fob really disabled if you remote start it?

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Designed by a moron, should be fired.
By J. Sawyer on August 21, 2013
If you remote start the car, you cant unlock it with your remote fob, it is disabled. If you unlock the door with the key, the car turns off. Whoever designed this system for Honda should be fired.

andrewcjduong

How much does the OEM autostarter go for without it being installed? It seems like an easy install so realistically I'm down to just buy it and install it myself.

acupower

Bought mine on Ebay for about $380 delivered. And yes, there are some unrefined things on the factory RS. As mentioned above, you cannot do a takeover. The car shuts off when you touch the door handle. This is something I really dislike as I don't like putting extra stress on the starter.

However, even with these imperfections, the remote start is a much better choice IMO. There is no cutting/tapping into wires. The install is clean and completely reverseable. I also like the feature of the factory RS that turns on your heater and defogger once it detects the outside temperature.

cogito

Returned the viper... the installer is suggesting going with Compustar... So I'm still up in the air on which route to go... I want the safest... but don't want to pay $900 either.

My main concern now is the warranty on the TL just ended... if something gets messed up, it will be problem... is this rational or just being paranoid?

03sixer

Acupower,

What components are required for the factory setup? The link posted earlier shows a remote start module, but are there other things? Does the dealer have to program something for the OE module to work? I'm fine with it shutting off and I certainly like the thought of it starting the defrost automatically.

AnthonyGen

Got my factory remote start from Benardi Acura Accessories online store for $384 and free shipping. The install took approximately 2 1/2 hours and if I can do it, pretty much anyone can. Everything is plugged in under the dash and steering column. I went to my local dealer for my oil change and told them my remote start wasn't working. They programmed the fob as a courtesy and I'm all set. Everything works great and I am already enjoying it.

acupower

You need 3 main components for the OEM install:

1. Remote fob
2. RS module
3. Harness (also known as Attachment)

The harness is specific to the model and year. I believe 09s and 10s share the same harness BUT the Tech and Base model have different harness. If you buy online just make sure you contact the seller and ask them.

I bought the whole set of parts from Ebay. It was a posting like this:
2009 2011 Acura TL Tech Model Remote Engine Starter Attachment NEW OEM | eBay

The package I got from ebay came in with absolutely everything. And I mean everything - down to the properly sized zip ties and clips.

Finally, you will need to register the RS module with your immobilizer after the install. If you don't have HDS HIM interface, you WILL need to go to the Dealer and get it programmed. I was fortunate because I bought the HDS a while ago to do other diagnostics and I was able to use it to program the module with no issues.

Hope this helps and good luck.

andrewcjduong

Thanks for the info. I should have got it earlier. I'll probably struggle through this season and if money is there, I'll grab it and install it before next winter.

ncxvtguy83

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the info. On Another note, can the factory remote start Fob work as a keyless entry(lock/unlock) and able to start the car with push button start (replacing original key fob)?

andrewcjduong

No it can't. There's no lock or unlock feature on the remote start key fob either.

eliminate

What version of software did you have to use with the HDS Him to get the remote start to activate properly.

sockpuppet

Just to be clear (since this response is potentially misleading), the factory remote start fob does have lock and unlock buttons; it simply won't work as true keyless entry (unlock when your hand goes behind the handle).

andrewcjduong

That's weird. Is your factory remote start fob different than this one? Cuz it seems like these ones don't have it.

sockpuppet

Mine looks "mostly" the same, including the LCD display. However the button you have marked "Start" has a "Lock" symbol on my remote (with the Unlock symbol on your "Stop" button). So using mine, I'd hit "Start" to lock, "Stop" to unlock, and Silver+"Stop" to remote start.

Perhaps they changed it, though I don't know why they would. I know my remote start won't work if the car is unlocked, so the remote has to be able to lock the car, for mornings like today, when I realized upon trying to start that I left it unlocked all night.

Gslavyo

My fob for auto start looks like this 2009 tl tech

sockpuppet

Mine's the same. Weird...until you posted the picture, I never noticed that they eliminated the "panic" button.

Andrew, as I recall, you drive a 2009 as well; was your remote start added only recently?

echodigital

Mine looks like that. I don't even know what the panic button does. LOL.

andrewcjduong

I haven't installed/bought mine yet but I was just looking around to buy OEM one and that's the pic that showed up lol.