aftermarket keyless and remote start

[XJLI]

hokay so.

there was an aftermarket alarm installed into my factory keyless, it took a dump, and i ended up having to rip the brain out and jump the splice in the starter wire for the starter kill that was wired in so i could disarm the alarm and start my truck.

i'm having an aftermarket kit installed (too cold and i dont have a garage to wire it now), bestbuy says i don't need the "module" for the keyless, an independent shop says i do.

bestbuy says $200 installed for this:
http://www.viper.com/P-4102V/Viper-5101-1-way-Supercode-Remote-Start-System

the shop says $272 installed for this:
http://www.avital.com/Products/Product.aspx?path=Remote Start System&id=5004

and $313 installed for the system bestbuy charges 200 for.

the kid's at my local bestbuy are pretty good, so i'm not worried about a botched install, but as far as i knew, the jeep didnt need the module thing. any experienced guys have an opinion?

 

[wheeling365]

It depends what "module" they are talking about. Two different ones come to mind. If your XJ has the security key it will need a special module that allows the system to bypass the factory security key to start via the remote. The easiest way to tell is if your factory key has a grey head it has the VATS security system and will need the module.

The other that comes to mind is that some alarms/remote start units need additional relays to control the door locks thru the remote beyond the base systems ability to start the engine.

 

[XJLI]

key doesnt have a chip, its a 98. the VATS started in 01 iirc...

the second thing you said makes more sense, he said something about a negative signal in the doors. i have no idea what he was talking about.

 

[xcalibur223]

Easy thing to remember with the early Jeep/Chrysler chipped keys is if the key is black no chip and the key is gray than it has one. Even if relays are needed, the ones used should cost no more than 5 bucks a piece and I'm almost positive an XJ doesnt need any.
Edit: And the VATS is a GM thing with the little resistor on the key.

 

[Ben824]

the chip in the key started in 98 which is indicated by the key with the oval grey head and those equipped with factory keyless entry had a panic button on the remote. This means you will need and extra module if you want remote start otherwise it is not needed to just have keyless entry and an alarm.

I would go with the Viper alarm. I have had my Viper alarm for about 5 years now and I have been very pleased with its performance.

 

[Talyn]

I've never had a problem with any of the Vipers I have installed. And you don't need a module unless you have the Sentry key system. It wouldn't have VATS any how as that is the GM system with the visible chip. The Jeeps use a thicker light grey key, as mentioned above.

 

[xcalibur223]

Another thing to note is that the two systems originally linked are made by the same company anyway. Can't really go wrong.

 

[XJLI]

the key is the same key as my 93, black. thanks for the info guys.

 

[mgt]

code alarm had mine for 10 years now no problems

 

[bmpweXJ]

the chip in the key started in 98 which is indicated by the key with the oval grey head and those equipped with factory keyless entry had a panic button on the remote. This means you will need and extra module if you want remote start otherwise it is not needed to just have keyless entry and an alarm.

I would go with the Viper alarm. I have had my Viper alarm for about 5 years now and I have been very pleased with its performance.

I have the gray key... how am I amble to make copies at home depot?

I must not understand how this works.

 

[XJLI]

just fyi... i had the viper system installed... only extra things i was charged were for the gravity switch for the hood and a 5 dollar "hardware" fee. final cost was $233.

 

[fyrfytr1717]

I have the gray key... how am I amble to make copies at home depot?

I must not understand how this works.

If you have the gray key and have a copy made at a hardware store, it will open your doors for you, it just won't start your car. The gray key has a chip in it that the "Sentry Key" module built into your XJ's ignition system looks for. Even if the key is cut identical to your key, the Sentry Key module will not allow the car to start.

In order to get a fully functional spare made, you have to have your new key cut from a Sentry Key blank and then your XJ has to be programmed to recognize the new key. The details are a little fuzzy 10 years down the road, but I seem to remember there is a max of 4 keys per vehicle and you have to bring in one of the currently programmed keys in order to pair a new one to your vehicle.

Where this comes into play with remote start is that obviously your keys are not in the car when using it and therefore the Sentry Key module doesn't sense a valid key and wont let the ignition system operate. You can go ghetto style by hiding a spare key in your car close to the Sentry Key module, or you can do it the right way and get the appropriate remote start add-on module that gets programmed for your vehicle and allows the remote start system to override the Sentry Key system. The add-on module (at least on my MIL's Toyota) makes it so that the car dies if you try to put it in Drive without first inserting a valid key into the ignition switch. If you rig it with the hidden key, someone could jump in your car and drive it away after you remote started it, even if they didn't have the key.

 

[casm]

If you have the gray key and have a copy made at a hardware store, it will open your doors for you, it just won't start your car. The gray key has a chip in it that the "Sentry Key" module built into your XJ's ignition system looks for. Even if the key is cut identical to your key, the Sentry Key module will not allow the car to start.

Yep, exactly.

In order to get a fully functional spare made, you have to have your new key cut from a Sentry Key blank and then your XJ has to be programmed to recognize the new key. The details are a little fuzzy 10 years down the road, but I seem to remember there is a max of 4 keys per vehicle and you have to bring in one of the currently programmed keys in order to pair a new one to your vehicle.

Close. The number is eight keys per vehicle total - the two that it shipped from the factory with, then up to six more. As long as you have two valid keys for the XJ, you can actually program the other six from the ignition; the procedure's in section 8Q of the 2000 FSM. If you've only got one key, though, it's a trip to the dealer to get the next one programmed.

 

[fyrfytr1717]

Close. The number is eight keys per vehicle total - the two that it shipped from the factory with, then up to six more. As long as you have two valid keys for the XJ, you can actually program the other six from the ignition; the procedure's in section 8Q of the 2000 FSM. If you've only got one key, though, it's a trip to the dealer to get the next one programmed.

Cool, good to know. Just looked it up and it's 8Q in my '99 FSM as well. Looks like I better get another key made before my wife or I lose one of the originals!