Hey everyone-

I decided to bite the bullet and get an alarm system for the S2k. My neighbor's EG civic got completely gutted 2 weeks ago, and it was only by chance that my S was no in the driveway (it was in the body shop).

I looked around on this forum, and the general consensus was to pay for an alarm install, as there are WAAAY too many things to screw up, and that our car can be a PITA when wiring up remote start...

I took it down to my local install shop that works on higher-end cars. They said that they have been able to get this same Viper 5701 to work on the Nissan Intelli-Key cars (the ones that just requires the key in your pocket to start via button... no key required in dash). They are not able to get the S2k to remote start...

This is what i got from the installer: Everything is in an working great (lock, shock sensors, etc.). The remote start is the only part that is not functioning. The unit has an "automatic" and a "manual" mode. The installer said the manual mode requires a bunch of settings to be input into the unit (to make sure the brake is engaged, in neutral, doors closed, etc.) in order for the remote start function to work on manual cars. He said that NORMALLY you can bypass this programming by setting the unit to "automatic" mode, making sure the car is in neutral manually, inserting the key into the ignition, then pressing the remote start button (this effectively bypasses the ignition immobilizer, as the key is in the ignition). The remote start will not work with it in automatic mode with the key either...

The installer said that the unit also accepts the programming for the manual remote start fine, but the starter never turns over...

I asked him about using a module with a valet-key to bypass the ignition immobilizer, and he said that they are using a module, but one that "learns" the key chip output vs. inserting another key (insert the key once, and it learns the chip code, so the key can be removed).

I am wondering if anyone has run into a similar issue? Where would be the first place to start?

I am running AEM EMS 1052u, but that should not matter, as the wiring harness is still stock (which is what he is splicing into).

He is going onto the Directed Electronics website to see if anyone on there has run into a similar situation with an S2000 before...

I am thinking it has something to do with the "start" button... as the car starts with the key fine...

Thanks in advance! I will try and get a few more details tomorrow, if I can make it over to the shop to check it out.



John

 

Hey John,

First of all I think you should take your car to a different shop, because no good shop would install a full remote start in a manual car and set it up as an automatic. It would be a HUGE liability for the shop should something happen like the car be left in gear and you start it in a parking lot and it drives into someone.... yikes! Just something to think about pal You should never have a manual car setup for automatic... its an accident waiting to happen.

I know with the Compustar units have a jumper lead in them and once cut you can not re-connect it. Not sure if the Vipers are like that or not. But I know its not that hard to install a RS in an S2000. I've done it myself. Its been a while though... It does have a few extra things needed but nothing to crazy as I recall.

 

This may be a dumb question but I'll ask anyways. Did your installer trigger the clutch switch? Clutch needs to be engaged to start the car. You said the car won't remote start even with the key in the ignition. Just a thought. And for what it's worth, I totally agree with darkknight about using manual mode. This is so dangerous. Trust me, I put an rs in my Civic and while testing it, I forgot and left it in gear. I watched my car lurch across my install bay. Luckily the e-brake was set so I only pushed my toolbox partially through the wall. Have the installer do it the right way, which is also the safe way. Any installer worth a damn wouldn't cut corners like that.

 

We've done a few of them at work and they all worked great in manual mode which is what it should stay set in. I think its your AEM. You do not have an immobilizer anymore because of the standalone. Have them try without a bypass.

 

^^That is a good point! I didn't even think about that... I was so focused onthe fact that the installer set it up in auto mode silly me... Good call rev

 

Its there installation... Take is somewhere else.. s2k's are easy, hardest part is the immobolizer, but since u dont have one it shouldn't of take more then 3 hours to complete the job.. Everything is right there under the stearing column and kick panel..
All you would have to do is do the clutch bypass, but like what everyone else said, a "real" shop would not do that because of safety concerns...

My ? is when they remote start does it actually turn on the accessories (ie: lights flash inside) If they dont then there is something else wrong cause even without the clutch bypassed it would flash...
Also a BIG NEWB move is they try to remote start while the hood of the car is open, and if they installed the pin switch like there supposed to it will NOT alow the car to enter remote start mode..
I know theres other things that can be wrong but this is the most common..

 

I had this alarm installed without the remote start. Didn't want or need the headaches associated with it.

 

Thanks guys. I will have him check those things out.

As far as him using it in auto mode, he did that as a troubleshooting technique to see if the manual mode was what was screwing up... Since it did not start in auto mode either, he does not think it is in the Viper unit, but in the car / EMS wiring.

I did not even think about the immobilizer not being there anymore... I thought that was a function aside from the ECU...

This shop does a lot of Aston Martins, BMWs, and other high end cars (they are the ONLY shop in town I would trust...).

According to the installer, the only thing that does not happen is the starter does not turn over at all when the remote start button is hit (and this is with him sitting in the driver seat, key in ignition, clutch in, in "manual" or "auto" mode. The installer also said that this is one of the first Viper alarms that is remote start compatible with manual transmissions...

Cheers!

John

 

i am actually the installer on this vehicle i appreciate all of your concerns and info regarding this issue. I have done hundreds of remote start alarms, and have not had any problems, this one is just being a little difficult. as far as auto mode, as john said the viper reponder le alarm comes made for a standard and does require clutch bypass to start however in order to rs you have to push brake in, pull up parking brake, engage rs, shut door arm alarm and as long as nothing has changed ie door or hood open remote start will work properly when you come back. I put it in auto mode to test it and make sure that the car would start so i knew what to check. it will leave in manual mode. I also tried starting the car with key in ignition but in off position to make sure everything was ok before i hook up the xk5 bypass module.(this is done on every vehicle so I know everything was fine before the bypass was done and it lowers any troubleshooting time) I will look at the suggestions listed

 

^ Good stuff. Gotta love the intra-webz! Sharing of info rocks! I say give it a whirl without the ignition immobilizer bypass unit... apparently the EMS eliminates that.

All the wires you are tapping into should be virgin... the only electrical I have spliced into relates to the audio system and the LED footwell / overhead lights.

Its all good. This is your first S2k alarm install. All cars are a little different. If you could get it to function on the Intelli-Key Nissans, this one should not be a problem, once we get the issue isolated.

John