New Alaska Tacoma Owner

Are you having the dealer install your auto start? If not where are you getting it installed?

So the other day i bought and scheduled an appointment to install an auto start with best buy (i know i know, that was my first mistake). Anyway, when i took the truck in to drop it off today, they said the couldn't install it because it is too new, and the software hasn't been released yet for the 2015. Needless to say i am perturbed, you think they could have told me this when i bought it.

Anyway, if anybody reading this has any hints or suggestions for getting an autostart installed in anchorage, i am all ears.

Josh

 

When I picked up my truck on Monday, they told me the only Toyota Certified auto-start installer in Anchorage is Safe and Sound. I'm going to get the Compustar 2-way G9. According to the dealership if I have them install it I won't void any warranty work in the future.

http://www.compustar.com/remote-starters/RF-2WG9-SP.php
A basic 2 way unit that doesn't have a screen to crack, and a good distance.

Edit: In my last 3 vehicles I've always had a Compustar auto-start installed. I like their durability and dependability. According to the manufacturer there are only 3 licensed dealers in town: Continental Dealerships, Perfectionist, and Safe and Sound. I've always gone through Perfectionist, but I'm not taking any chances with a new vehicle and hope to get an apt for next week.

 

Right on. Did they tell you that you had to have an extra key to make it work, as you referenced in your earlier posts. You would think in this day in age that there would be a way to get around that.

 

I haven't talk to them yet, but every auto start installed in the newer vehicles have to have a way to bypass the immobilizer. This is generally done by installing an OEM key with the built in immobilizer "chip". The newer vehicles will not start if it doesn't sense this. Hence why when they gave you that second set of keys there should have been a little metal tag with numbers on it. That's the code you provide to the dealership to replicate your key with the proper immobilizer programming. You can get the key copied anywhere, which will open the doors, but without that immobilizer chip it won't start the truck.

 

You should definitely start a build thread! And I have 2015 as well and have 2 keys.

 

Interesting! I've had 2 Auto-Start installed in vehicles with immobilizer systems and haven't had to sacrifice a key. 2012 Taco has a Viper installed at "Shades of Competition", couldn't hurt to ask them.

 

They can ohm out the key and get the right resistor for it... You shouldn't have to lose a key because the installer is lazy

 

Gotcha. It's been around 4 years since I had one installed. At that time you had to sacrifice a key. Thanks for the info.

 

I have heard so many conflicting things concerning remote starts it is making my head spin. I bought a compustar from best buy and when i took my truck in to get it installed, they told me they couldn't do it because the software for the bypass module for a 2015 hasn't been released yet and until it is they can't bypass the immobilizer.

Then i went to the dealer to inquire about this and the lady told me that tacomas don't have chipped keys.

And of course the dealer wants $200 more than best buy for the same compustar.

It doesn't seem like anybody knows what they are talking about. I just want a decent remote start installed correctly, is that to much to ask.

 

I have installed a compustar remote start on my truck. the immobilizer will not require an extra key to be used. i don't remember if 2 keys were needed to progam the immobilizer though. *an autorized dealer will have to program the the brain and immobilizer*

Compustar has a few different options on how the system is put together. think of it like a home theater system. you can mix and match (to a point).

Compustar uses an immobilizer system from http://www.idatalink.com/
Currently they do not have the firmware posted on their website. you might be able to email them to get an ETA. You actualy may want to wait till they finally release it.

some vehicles require alot of wiring from the alarm brain...

some of the newer vehicles have less wiring needed because the alarm brain can be programed to interact with the factory data system to control features.

a 20+ wire hook up could be reduced to 4+ wires.

if the programing has changed enough in the tacoma, all alarm manufactures may be working on a new immobilizer to work with the 15' tacomas.

 

Thanks fergyz, that helps!!

 

I got mine done at soundworks. Have nothing but good things to say about them.

 

I got a compustar put in by Perfectionist. I have used them on all my vehicles and have sent friends and family there. No complaints from anyone there. They warranty their work for life and the hardware for 1 year. I'd recommend them.

No weird key issues on my 2006. Maybe the newer trucks are more secure though ??

 

Most alaram systems can "clone" a key, hence the extra key not being needed as a sacrificial lamb. That does require extra hardware and a price inrcrease.

Compustar has a modular system setup. one version has the immobilizer as a seperate unit that slides/plug into the alarm brain. keeps the overall package compact.

again this is vehicle dependant.

 

Welcome to the TACO world.

 

Welcome! Ive also heard good things about soundworks if you are still trying to get your remote start in. I wish my truck was an auto I'd have one too!