Compustar remote start operation question

[Redsoxx1918]

I had the Compustar 1W1B-SP one way remote starter installed today. I tried it out on my break tonight. Vehicle started up fine. When I got in, I hit the brake to see if it would cut the engine. It did not. Inserted the key, turned to ON position and drove away. When I stopped for gas, I turned the engine off and removed the key.......but the engine kept running. Only way to turn it off was to hit the Compustar remote again. Very strange. Then, to test it, I started it again with the remote start. This time, I hit the brake and put it in gear and started to drive off without even inserting the key. Of course, the steering column was locked because I hadn't inserted the key but this is very different from any factory remote I've ever had. Is this normal operation for a Compustar remote start? Can the car only be shut off with the Compustar remote if it is started by remote start?

 

[reidbailey]

I had the Compustar 1W1B-SP one way remote starter installed today. I tried it out on my break tonight. Vehicle started up fine. When I got in, I hit the brake to see if it would cut the engine. It did not. Inserted the key, turned to ON position and drove away. When I stopped for gas, I turned the engine off and removed the key.......but the engine kept running. Only way to turn it off was to hit the Compustar remote again. Very strange. Then, to test it, I started it again with the remote start. This time, I hit the brake and put it in gear and started to drive off without even inserting the key. Of course, the steering column was locked because I hadn't inserted the key but this is very different from any factory remote I've ever had. Is this normal operation for a Compustar remote start? Can the car only be shut off with the Compustar remote if it is started by remote start?

Sounds like the installer forgot to wire the brake light input to the alarm. It should shut off when the brake is pressed without the key.


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[gm350reratliff]

No, that's not the way it should work. Your installer either didn't tap into the brake switch or the programming could be off on the bypass module. I'm guessing your installer got in a hurry and didn't tap into the brake switch. The other possibility is that the fuse for the brake lights is blown. That's easy enough to check, just see if you have brake lights. Either way I'd take it back.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

No, that's not the way it should work. Your installer either didn't tap into the brake switch or the programming could be off on the bypass module. I'm guessing your installer got in a hurry and didn't tap into the brake switch. The other possibility is that the fuse for the brake lights is blown. That's easy enough to check, just see if you have brake lights. Either way I'd take it back.

It also keeps running when I remove the key, when the vehicle has been started by remote start. Very strange.


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[gm350reratliff]

It also keeps running when I remove the key, when the vehicle has been started by remote start. Very strange.


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That's most likely from the brake switch not hooked up or the blown fuse as well. When you go to "take over" the vehicle after it has been remote started, the signal from the brake switch basically shuts down the RS. If the key is in the ignition and in the ON position then the operator takes over. If there is no key or it's not in the ON position then the vehicle should shut down. If there is no connection to the brake switch, you are not really taking over the vehicle when driving it, it's still operating under the RS.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

That's most likely from the brake switch not hooked up or the blown fuse as well. When you go to "take over" the vehicle after it has been remote started, the signal from the brake switch basically shuts down the RS. If the key is in the ignition and in the ON position then the operator takes over. If there is no key or it's not in the ON position then the vehicle should shut down. If there is no connection to the brake switch, you are not really taking over the vehicle when driving it, it's still operating under the RS.

Omg! Walked out of work tonight at 11. Tries the remote start again.....this time, the parking lights flashed....then the headlights and horn flashed several times....then it started. Got in and hit the break again....engine kept running.....drove home and this time, when I turned the engine off with the key, the engine shut off. Brake lights are working...no blown fuse. The installer screwed something up royally. Now I'm going to lose my vehicle for another day while they try to figure it out. Damn!


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[gm350reratliff]

Omg! Walked out of work tonight at 11. Tries the remote start again.....this time, the parking lights flashed....then the headlights and horn flashed several times....then it started. Got in and hit the break again....engine kept running.....drove home and this time, when I turned the engine off with the key, the engine shut off. Brake lights are working...no blown fuse. The installer screwed something up royally. Now I'm going to lose my vehicle for another day while they try to figure it out. Damn!


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It could be a bad connection(s). Some shops like using those clip on T-connectors that are notorious for iffy connections but they are quicker than soldering and heat shrinking the wire. Either way, sounds like you definitely have some issues that need to get resolved. Honestly, I wouldn't use the RS anymore until it gets fixed.

How long was your commute home? The reason I ask is because the remote start could've "timed out" but because the key was in the ignition and turned on, you took over and didn't know it which is why it shut off with the key at your house.

As you can see, the installer is more important than the brand or type of RS you go with. The installation can make or break a RS or alarm system. This is not the normal course for these systems. I may jinx myself by saying this but, I installed the RS in both 4runners myself, took my time but made sure everything was done correctly (I have a background in those types of installs). I've never had a problem in 8 years on my 2008 4runner remote start.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

It could be a bad connection(s). Some shops like using those clip on T-connectors that are notorious for iffy connections but they are quicker than soldering and heat shrinking the wire. Either way, sounds like you definitely have some issues that need to get resolved. Honestly, I wouldn't use the RS anymore until it gets fixed.



How long was your commute home? The reason I ask is because the remote start could've "timed out" but because the key was in the ignition and turned on, you took over and didn't know it which is why it shut off with the key at your house.



As you can see, the installer is more important than the brand or type of RS you go with. The installation can make or break a RS or alarm system. This is not the normal course for these systems. I may jinx myself by saying this but, I installed the RS in both 4runners myself, took my time but made sure everything was done correctly (I have a background in those types of installs). I've never had a problem in 8 years on my 2008 4runner remote start.

My ride home is about 25 minutes. I'm going to call the shop that did the work and make an appointment to bring it back in. I had taken it to them because two people recommended them to me and said they had work done there and they did a great job. Obviously, the installer I had wasn't good. When I picked up my truck, I noticed that it was sitting in the lot with the engine running. Very strange. Also, when I got in to drive home, I noticed that the dash panel to the left of the steering wheel wasn't reinstalled properly and I couldn't push in the buttons for my heated windshield and power outlet. They had to take it back into the shop and fix it. Looking more and more like I got a real hack job.


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[TrkyMfns]

Make them fix it. That is not the way it is supposed to work. And like others have said, it sounds like it isn't wired to the brake switch.

Edit: I just read what you typed about the panels and buttons etc. You need to either look at how they connected it, or have someone look at what they did. It doesn't sound like the pay attention to details, which is paramount when installing something like this. I just installed mine a couple of weeks ago and thought it's not difficult, it can be tedious to do correctly.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Make them fix it. That is not the way it is supposed to work. And like others have said, it sounds like it isn't wired to the brake switch.

Edit: I just read what you typed about the panels and buttons etc. You need to either look at how they connected it, or have someone look at what they did. It doesn't sound like the pay attention to details, which is paramount when installing something like this. I just installed mine a couple of weeks ago and thought it's not difficult, it can be tedious to do correctly.

Update: I took it back to the shop today and the manager of the shop handled it personally. Took him about 40 minutes. He said that the tech had programmed it incorrectly and that when he reinstalled the dash panel, he pulled on one of the wires and broke it. Obviously, he never tested the system either. Everything is fixed and working properly now.

The problem is that, you can get a recommendation for a shop but you never know who you will get for a tech. I drew the short straw the say of my install I guess. I'll keep using over the next few days to make sure it keeps functioning properly. Thanks for all the responses.


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[TrkyMfns]

Update: I took it back to the shop today and the manager of the shop handled it personally. Took him about 40 minutes. He said that the tech had programmed it incorrectly and that when he reinstalled the dash panel, he pulled on one of the wires and broke it. Obviously, he never tested the system either. Everything is fixed and working properly now.

The problem is that, you can get a recommendation for a shop but you never know who you will get for a tech. I drew the short straw the say of my install I guess. I'll keep using over the next few days to make sure it keeps functioning properly. Thanks for all the responses.


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It truly can be luck of the draw as far as who actually works on your vehicle. I'm glad they got you taken care of, as ultimately, even great shops can make a mistake. It's how they make it right that matters even more.