well, I just got my remote start all installed on my WRX with a manual transmission... and I must say, it is a beautiful thing.:D

For those who dont already know, the wrx (and the other 02 models??) has a wire out of the ecu that throws a signal if the car is in any gear. so, all you have to do is have this wire trigger the relay that you use to bypass the clutch switch... and voila! safe remote starting on a M/T...

I would imagine that most stereo shops wont do this due to the liability, but its just as safe as any other setup...

just thought y'all might want to know that it IS possible.

:)

In the news this morning they mentioned that locally (San Jose area) auto theft has significantly increased recently because people are starting their cars and leaving them idle unattended in the morning.

They interviewed a policeman who told about a particular dumba...er...victim who turned on his car, then went inside and TOOK A SHOWER, then came out to find it missing.

It's not even THAT cold here at night. It's getting into the 20s at night, but sheesh.

I know it's safer to do when wired with an alarm, but that's the only reason I can think to really need remote start. I guess just a word of warning and a bit of humor.

Aye- and many insurance companies will not cover your loss either ;). I have an autostart on my 5MT 2000RS, and it will not start the car unless the alarm is armed and all sensor points (hood, sunroof, windows, doors, trunk, tilt, and motion) pass the self-test ;).

Brian
http://www.ravensblade-impreza.com
http://www.imprezamods.com
http://www.scoobymods.com

My remote start shuts the car off if there is no key in the ignition when the brake pedal is depressed. My installer also installed a "turbo-timer" function that allows me to keep the car running when I remove the key. I can leave the car, arm the system and then turn off the car after a few minutes by remote.

Which brand alarms are you guys seeing as the best for remote starting capabilities with manual transmissions?

Are these systems marketed as having remote starting capability for manual transmissions, or do you just have to hook up with a good shop that knows what to do?

I used to install car stereos in college on the side to make cash, but I never messed with security systems. Did you guys install your own systems or use a shop? If you did it yourself, is someone with good mechanical ability and moderate electrical abilities capable of doing the install?

Thanks for helping out a guy who really knows nothing about installing an alarm but is very interested.

well, with the imprezas, (atleast the 2002s) you dont need a specifically designed system for manual transmissions... the trans on these cars has a switch built in that tells whether the car is in gear or not.... then a knowledgable installer knows how to use that to trigger the clutch bypass in order to have a safe system on a MT...

You could probably fumble your way thru it, but it would probly be too much of a headache to bother... I used to be a professional installer, and I decided to just let one of my old installer buddies do this one for me... I was more geared to custom audio installs, but I did do some security, and I just didnt want to deal with it.

BTW, some shops might not want to touch this because of the liability involved, and they just havent realized that if done properly there is no more risk than to in on an AT.
Tip: most installers are willing to do side jobs, just make sure you find a good one.;)

What brand autostart are you using? The only MT autostarts I can think of is Compustar and Alladin. Are there other mainstream brands that are reputable?

Originally posted by trboCIVIC&WRX
For those who dont already know, the wrx (and the other 02 models??) has a wire out of the ecu that throws a signal if the car is in any gear. so, all you have to do is have this wire trigger the relay that you use to bypass the clutch switch... and voila! safe remote starting on a M/T...

where is this wire and what color is it? is it possible for you to take a picture of your setup? thanks!

-Roger

My Aladdin 2k alarm has a function to keep the car arm(door lock) while it is warning up.


trboCIVIC&WRX, give us more detail about how your did you neutral wire to stop the remote start when it is in gear.

well, with the imprezas, (atleast the 2002s) you dont need a specifically designed system for manual transmissions...

Mine is a Ungo 2007, but it REALLY doesnt matter. any of them will work.

I cant recall the wire color, let me look into it, and I will post later how to make it work....

http://www.ravensblade-impreza.com/index1.html has the ecu wiring digram.

IIRC The wire is White-w/blk and it throws 12v when in neutral. (i cant remember if this is correct or backwards, but you should get the idea... If you dont follow this, you shouldnt do this on your own)

Okay, so, when you start your MT car, the clutch has to be in... so what you have to do is use a relay to tell the car that the clutch is in, which is basically bypassing the clutch switch. So you use the ECUs WB wire to trigger the relay so that the clutch bypass only works if the car is in neutral.

**If you dont understand this, dont do it... I would rather not hear about you in the newspaper.... **

Have a professional do the install. Because this is really dangerous if not done properly... Think about it, if the car is in gear, and the alarm just keeps trying to start it.... you could hurt or kill somebody... not to mention the damage to your car...

:)