Hello!

So, my 01 4runner came with a remote starter. The issue is that it only have a short range -- it requires me to be less than 15feet close to the car in order to start it, sometimes the remote start it while Im by the driver's door. It looks like an old remote starter, i cant even find them model of the remote starter in the company's website (Autostart) haha.

Now, I was ready to get a new remote starter (costs ~$600 CAD) with 2 way remote - old remote starter is 1way. But if theres a fix for this where i can spend less $$ is better

What I want to ask:
Is this the right way? Like just get a new remote starter... OR
Is there something I can do to fix the short range?
Is changing the remote button with a different and brand new remote possible? Coz I saw stores selling just the remote (same brand with my remote) and I thought, cant i just buy a new remote instead? maybe that can help with the range...

when I bought my 2000 it had an autostart brand and the distance was about same as yours. Went to the local autostart guy and he said the early versions go bad with age. they wanted 500 for a new system. Went to another shop and had a "nustart" system installed. 2 way, 1/4 mile, range, 2 fobs, $ 450.

some might say....why have an remote start....well up here about 90% of the people do. When its minus 40, its nice to start your car before you go out to it.

I don't blame you I had a taste of your weather last week for 3 to 4 days. That's cold..

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Is there an antenna visible mounted on your windshield? The reason I ask this is because my wife’s Toyota RAV4 came with remote start and the range was very poor, but I was able to add an antenna that extended the range. I know that’s a RAV4 but I have a third GEN forerunner. Of course that came with ultra start and I really think that was a cheap brand nowadays but it has amazing range.

The range is key to the cost of the system and I have always went with 1mi + range remote starts with alarm from DEI or Compustar if possible.
Unless your remote start is by one of these top brands its likely you will need to upgrade the whole system to get more range. The remote and the receiving unit are needed for better range, so just swapping a remote wont do it.

Its totally worth the upgrade though. I currently have the Compustar T13 with APP so I can monitor my car from anywhere as well as start it.

Yes, there's a antenna mounted on the windshield. What kind of antenna did you get? Want to try this first before getting a new one.