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Remote Starter - 2015 -Should I have dealer or other shop install it

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Obidog, Nov 21, 2015.

  1. Nov 21, 2015 at 4:23 AM
    #1
    Obidog

    Obidog [OP] Member

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    I have a 6 mo old 2015 TRD and want to install a remote starter. Should I have the Dealer do it or a local shop that does all cars/trucks radio's etc? I see posts on issues and since the truck is so new I don't want any issues or the dash not put back together correctly broken parts I can't see etc. Are there some that think its not worth it to risk anyone taking my dash apart to install?
     
  2. Nov 21, 2015 at 4:32 AM
    #2
    TacoTaco15

    TacoTaco15 Well-Known Member

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    I'm going to pay someone to do mine, but that's b/c I hate electrical altogether.

    All up to you. I'm sure there's a write-up on here how to do it.

    I'd call your local Best Buy / electronics and automotive store to see how much they charge before considering anything.
     
  3. Nov 21, 2015 at 4:52 AM
    #3
    vssman

    vssman Rocket Engineer

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    Keep in mind that many dealers send out stuff like that to independent shops anyway. Not sure if the dealer would give you an honest answer if they install themselves or not. Will the dealer include the starter as part of the factory warranty? That might be the only reason I'd think of to get it from them.
     
  4. Nov 21, 2015 at 4:55 AM
    #4
    1buzzbait

    1buzzbait easiest to ignore

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    me thinks if it is available at your dealer, to have them do it, wont void any warranties and would carry a warranty. if done aftermarket, there is always the possibility of a potential issue................or not one would hope. I would go the dealer route, personally.
     
  5. Nov 21, 2015 at 5:59 AM
    #5
    Obidog

    Obidog [OP] Member

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    Thanks thats helpful, I did not consider that they may send it out. I will ask about that. Personally I am leaning towards having the dealer do it or not doing it at all. The dealer is only about $50 more and they said that if something goes wrong they fix it....have to ask if its part of the 2yr bumper to bumper on the new vehicle.
     
  6. Nov 21, 2015 at 10:34 AM
    #6
    evilcorvette

    evilcorvette Well-Known Member

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    oderus urungus
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    Aftermarket remote starters are evil. I know dozens of people who have been left stranded when their remote starter unit pooped the bed. Its never an easy fix, as the entire unit generally needs to be ripped out. Im generally 'anti dealer' for mods/additions, but this is one time you really need to look into a Toyota product, installed by Toyota. If for no other reason, at least they should warranty it.
     
  7. Nov 21, 2015 at 10:48 AM
    #7
    TRD4x4offroad

    TRD4x4offroad Active Member

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    I ended up having the Toyota dealer install my Viper alarm/remote start before delivery. The dealer didn't actually do it, I found out they contracted all that type of work to a local shop who specializes in alarm/starter systems. The dealer fully warranties it and they even left me a business card for the outfit that installed it just in case I had any questions.
     
  8. Nov 21, 2015 at 11:42 AM
    #8
    TacoTaco15

    TacoTaco15 Well-Known Member

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    @OP let us know what you end up doing - I'll likely put one on mine in the near future, as well.

    Thanks!
     
  9. Nov 21, 2015 at 11:46 AM
    #9
    awhitfield4

    awhitfield4 Well-Known Member

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    Don't have one but asked about it when I bought. Dealership claimed that if someone else did it that it would void the powertrain warranty because of "how invasive" a modification it is. Not sure if that's true or not but to let he dealer do it for only $50 extra bucks seems like it might be worth it to save a headache in the future.
     
  10. Nov 21, 2015 at 11:58 AM
    #10
    TacoTaco15

    TacoTaco15 Well-Known Member

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    Incredibly false. It is against federal law for a dealership to void a warranty due to an after-market part, unless they can specifically prove that your aftermarket modification directly contributed to the failure that brought about the warranty claim.

    Dealerships use this falsehood to intimidate car owners, which was the purpose for creating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975.

    More to read about it here, if you're interested:

    http://www.edmunds.com/auto-warranty/what-voids-your-vehicles-warranty.html
     
    patbegley likes this.
  11. Nov 21, 2015 at 12:15 PM
    #11
    Lester Lugnut

    Lester Lugnut Well-Known Member

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    And the dealer will do just that.
     
  12. Nov 21, 2015 at 1:57 PM
    #12
    Justinlhc

    Justinlhc Not looking for a relationship

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    I'd like to hear their reason for a transmission going out due to a remote starter.

    Keep in mind that if it's an add-on remote starter to the existing Toyota keyless entry you will most likely have to unlock your doors with a key after using the remote start. If it's a remote start/keyless entry stand alone unit you won't have that issue.

    I have aftermarket remote starts on both of our Toyota. No issues or problems. An improper installation doesn't mean the product is bad.
     
  13. Nov 21, 2015 at 5:05 PM
    #13
    mollyg

    mollyg Well-Known Member

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    I had mine done at Best Buy 2 years ago works excellent.
     
  14. Nov 21, 2015 at 6:18 PM
    #14
    Jazz1one

    Jazz1one It is what it is

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    SCS ray 10s. 315/75/16 Yokohama G003. Elka 2.5 dc w/remote resi. SPC uppers. Dobinson heavy leafs. Timbren bumps. Spindle gussets. Cab mount relocate. TRD catback. Toyota trifold tonneau. Full spare in bed. Hood deflector, side visors. Danger Customs Front/rear high clearance bumpers and full skids. 2 way remote start. Safari snorkel. Front 30% tint. Bed step. Anzo LED head lights. Weather tech mats. AllPro HD sliders linexed. 10k smitty x20 synthetic. Factor55 flatlink. Linexed bushwhackers. Rigid industries bumper pods. Ridged industries DSS ditch lights. Diode Dynamics amber pods. Prinsu roof rack. 42” Caliraised Amber single row. Switch Pros in sunglass holder. Custom Bed rail mounts for recovery gear.Northstar AGM battery. 4.88 nitro gears. Front and rear ARB lockers. ARB air compressor in bed cubby using expedition essentials mount.
    Dealer put in my compustar 2 way before delivery. They didn't do it themselves, but everything has a warranty.
     
  15. Nov 22, 2015 at 1:21 AM
    #15
    TacoTaco15

    TacoTaco15 Well-Known Member

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    If they can prove that in federal court, then good on them. However, saying a remote started caused some major mechanical failure isn't going to happen - sorry brother. Those are exactly the types of douchebags that the law was created for.
     
    Justinlhc likes this.
  16. Nov 22, 2015 at 9:27 AM
    #16
    robm7

    robm7 Well-Known Member

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    I was hesitant to have a shop do it but almost all dealers in my area use them. I have Astro start brand.
     
  17. Nov 22, 2015 at 10:01 AM
    #17
    MlcKTMGUy

    MlcKTMGUy Active Member

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    I negotiated the remote start installation into the price when I purchased my 15 Tacoma. The dealer sent it to a local shop to install. I don't think there is an Toyota OEM remote start for these vehicles.
     
  18. Nov 22, 2015 at 10:06 AM
    #18
    TacoTaco15

    TacoTaco15 Well-Known Member

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    Let us know what you end up doing, OP!
     
  19. Nov 22, 2015 at 10:18 AM
    #19
    AKHawkeye

    AKHawkeye Well-Known Member

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    I've ran a CompuStar unit in my previous 4 vehicles. When I bought my truck I asked my specific dealer. They did not install it, but they gave me a list of authorized install shops and dealers.

    DO NOT go to Best Buy to get one installed. Find a local shop that specializes in remote start/audio installs. Mine cost right around $400 for a 2 way unit. That was also with a manual transmission. The clutch bypass units tend to cost extra.
     
  20. Nov 23, 2015 at 5:49 AM
    #20
    Obidog

    Obidog [OP] Member

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    Follow up: I called two local dealers and one was $499/1yr warrantee one was 399/3yr warrantee installed. One was up front (399/3yr) about the fact that they had someone come in to the dealer to do the work. Said they had used them for years and stood behind the work. The other dealer where I bought my truck said they did it in house but were not clear as to if a Toyota mechanic that worked for the dealer did the install. The more expensive one said they needed one week advance notice to schedule. The other dealer said just call ahead as they needed to confirm availability of the tech to come to the dealer to do the install.

    Hope that helps others.
     

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