Car starters

[thegooddie]

I have a MK4 TDI Golf (manual transmission) and I'm wanting to get a car starter for it. Is this even possible to get done on these? If so, do you guys know of anywhere/anyone who is selling these at a reasonable price for the starter and the install? Thanks in advance for any info you guys have for me.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Car starters

I think you will find it is not a good/cheap idea, perhaps look at a coolant heater instead.

[Ur0Drivr]

Re: Car starters

I've heard of a few accidents with this.

For example a Mustang that was taken to a shop for repairs.

When they went to get the car the person that was going to drive up the car pressed the button on what he thought was to remote to open the doors, instead it was the car starter. Now the person that had parked the car had left the car in gear without the parking brake on...

Long story short. Mustang went through a fence into a pond. Insurance would not pay because the car's safety features were circumvented. Owner of the car was left with the bill.

[stefan]

Re: Car starters

I have a MK4 TDI Golf (manual transmission) and I'm wanting to get a car starter for it. Is this even possible to get done on these? If so, do you guys know of anywhere/anyone who is selling these at a reasonable price for the starter and the install? Thanks in advance for any info you guys have for me.

One of the most expensive cars to get a remote starter in. The installer pretty much told me it wasn't worth it in my TDI.. lol. Go with a heater. The guys with the coolant heaters by Zerostart love them.

[stefan]

Re: Car starters

I've heard of a few accidents with this.

For example a Mustang that was taken to a shop for repairs.

When they went to get the car the person that was going to drive up the car pressed the button on what he thought was to remote to open the doors, instead it was the car starter. Now the person that had parked the car had left the car in gear without the parking brake on...

Long story short. Mustang went through a fence into a pond. Insurance would not pay because the car's safety features were circumvented. Owner of the car was left with the bill.

My co-worker did this at a bar... Try to explain to the cop that you were not in the car, and just getting something from your car before you cabbed it home when you are drunk and your car is down the street.... lol. It shouldn't happen on a good install, but it does happen.

[J-hop]

Re: Car starters

don't think it has much to do with the install and more the product, to install them I believe the clutch engagement switch is bypassed, there is no way of the car knowing its in gear on a standard so if its in gear and you press the button it WILL jump forward. I haven't heard of any packages with a neutral indicator switch as it would have to be different for each car, but I guess its possible. My buddy working as a tech ran an RSX into a wall because he accidently pushed the remote start.

A family by my house also died because someone accidently pressed the remote start on one of the cars in their attached garage and the house filled with carbon monoxide, I personally think these items are more dangerous than good, no matter how you spin it.

[Stonewall]

Re: Car starters

I have a two way remote start on the van. It is auto though and I am not sure sure I would put one on a standard.

[Benjamin]

Re: Car starters

You looking to heat up the car in winter? If so, honestly the only thing that will be hot in a TDi on a cold winter day will be the heated seat. The engines are too efficient to heat up at idle on a cold day. Like mentioned get a zero start and use a timer. Your seat might not be as warm, but the car will start better with less wear on the cold day.

Ben

[Kordain]

Re: Car starters

As luck would have it i know a guy who is selling a Zero Start heater, never used or installed, complete with all pipes etc for fitting, let me know if your interested, i think its what all the TDI guys have on here to warm their car up and have instant heat on winter days

[CGDoig]

Re: Car starters

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=278764

I have one in my car, best mod per monies spent, especially here in Alberta, and my car is pretty heavily modified. Install took about 30 minutes, but I dinked around for a while, probably could have done it in 15.

[MentalSideArm]

Re: Car starters

I had a mkiv TDI with a remote starter/ 2 way alarm, worst $800 i've ever spent. There is absolutely no point, the car does NOT get hot in the winter as previously mentioned. The engine just holds the heat it, assuming u can get the plugs to cycle enough to even get it started. The only thing it was useful for was heating the seats in the winter, or pumping AC in the summer. Seriously don't even bother.

[Khyron]

Re: Car starters

I got one in my mk4 1.8T which IS nice in the winter cause it gets hot at idle (unlike the TDI). I don't run it for 10 mins, but maybe 2-4 as walking to the car, or as a turbo timer. It also doubles as a 2way alarm with 1/2 mile+ range. And it closes the windows/sunroof.

Definately get it done somewhere higher end - mine was about 800 at Audio Concepts Mobile.

The mustang guy above intentionally disabled the clutch kill switch, and put it on his stock fob under the panic button (which parking guys use to find a car in a lot). Totally his fault.

The only way you could make mine screw up is if you were already in the car when I armed it, or I rolled down the windows and you climbed in. Otherwise it's impossible to set off.

[Vulcan]

Re: Car starters

I have the zero start coolant heater. I had my car outside in Edmonton all winter...ran the heater on a timer 35 min before I leave for work....Car starts right up and I have around 50 C of coolant temp to drive off right away.

[dJ]

Re: Car starters

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=278764

I have one in my car, best mod per monies spent, especially here in Alberta, and my car is pretty heavily modified. Install took about 30 minutes, but I dinked around for a while, probably could have done it in 15.

That thing is a waste of money. Grab a 1500 watt Zerostart from Gregs. It's $60 and your car will start up with full heat at -40. Much better block heater.

[Benjamin]

Re: Car starters

The TDIheater, or whatever they call it now is only 750 watt, I had one in my car till about a few weeks ago. Did a few winters with it, but the 1500 watt one is where it is at. My car started up great on the -30, -40`C days, but the heat would go half way and then drop as 20 secs of running. The 1500 watt one's I installed in my brothers car, same spot just more power, well they would start off with full heat those days and it wouldn't drop after 20 secs. Honestly, $60 for the heater and $10 for extra hose and you are set. Might need some coolant if you don't catch all that comes out, but a very wise investment.

Ben