Question about compustar remote starter

This is definitely a legit concern. My viper does not unlock when I remote start so it definitely a setting that should be able to modify even if a different brand. Ring up the people who installed it asap.

I mean if the setting isnt modifiable, it'd be a pretty poor product to be sold in Canada in the sense that everyone knows most people remote start(despite the possible theft risk) in the winter to heat up car.

That's definitely strange... whenever I remote start my car, I can actually hear my car doors re-lock themselves. To actually make sure that the doors are locked before the engine is started.

It's kinda weird, but I won't worry about your stuff. A car starting is more likely to scare off a thief than anything else if he happens to be standing beside your car. Unless every car does it, the thief wouldn't know that that the doors unlock.

had a compustar 9000 which had to do same thing, at least its automated (same A/S model, 2 different cars)
now have a viper 5706V and I have to manually unlock then start and lock it again (different car again)

jeff from audioheaven explained it to me but it went into my left ear and then proceeded out the right

My Viper 2-way system doesn't do this on my car, but my Compustar 2-way system does this on another car. I'm told it unlocks the doors to bypass the factory alarm, then relocks the doors once the car is started.

Thank you all for your responses. From tonnes of reading, I also read that to bypass the factory alarm, it unlocks and then later locks.. Buts upsurd it does that. I have an email to the manufacturer to comfirm.
My installer was just a pain to deal with so I'd rather tell them that it's a setting and I want it off. If only the price wasn't the attraction

You are correct. If your car is a newer model with a factory immobilizer, the system needs to be disabled before the remote start can attempt to turn over the engine.
However, this can be bypassed by a chip module being placed inside the car (usually hidden under the dash near the steering column). The module stores the chip info stored in your key and the car will think that the key is in the ignition and automatically disable to immobilizer.

The problem with remote starters nowadays on vehicles is that different manufacturers set up the security systems in different ways.

Some might allow the engine to start even if the alarm system is enabled but the key is turned in the ignition without disabling or unlocking the car (like if you were sitting in your car and locked your doors with the key or remote and then after the system is armed you stick your key in the ignition and try to start the vehicle)

Other manufacturers may set up the cars security that if the system is armed it MUST be disarmed before the car can be started.

You might have the latter type of system in your vehicle.

amkorp wrote: ↑You are correct. If your car is a newer model with a factory immobilizer, the system needs to be disabled before the remote start can attempt to turn over the engine.
However, this can be bypassed by a chip module being placed inside the car (usually hidden under the dash near the steering column). The module stores the chip info stored in your key and the car will think that the key is in the ignition and automatically disable to immobilizer.

The problem with remote starters nowadays on vehicles is that different manufacturers set up the security systems in different ways.

Some might allow the engine to start even if the alarm system is enabled but the key is turned in the ignition without disabling or unlocking the car (like if you were sitting in your car and locked your doors with the key or remote and then after the system is armed you stick your key in the ignition and try to start the vehicle)

Other manufacturers may set up the cars security that if the system is armed it MUST be disarmed before the car can be started.

You might have the latter type of system in your vehicle.

Is that what is referred to as the "bypass"? I did pay an additional amount for that.. I believe it was in the $100 range. Wouldnt that bypass the factory alarm?

I used Derrand here in Ottawa and they were very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions. Apparently they do most of the dealership installs and even some work for the manufacturers. Most of the car alarms and remote starters are all the same company now and have been bought out so they are all practically the same.

LOL yeah I'm sure all the thieves/criminals in the Ottawa area are going to find out your doors are unlocked for a whole 10 seconds every time you use your RS in the morning. They'll be hiding in the bushes, in the middle of the winter, waiting for their chance to pounce! Better forget about using that thing--wayyyy too risky!

amkorp wrote: ↑
The problem with remote starters nowadays on vehicles is that different manufacturers set up the security systems in different ways.

I get occasional accidental aftermarket alarm going off problems, probably related to the car starter, mainly when im in the car if I seem to miss a certain sequence. recent car purchase so I don't know the car 100% yet but it is quite annoying having alarm go off with me inside, say at a friends. they all like to laugh lol. or it going off at 12am on my street...not sure the neighbors like that.

first exp with aftermarket alarm so im not sure if my alarm is poorly configured or just a normal issue gotta deal with.

The bypass just emulates the verification steps required by the body control module to start the car without the OEM alarm going off.
The unlocking requirement is dependent on the make of the vehicle (I believe it is mandatory on Toyotas, for example).

10 seconds may be in the high range, not sure if it is adjustable, but I believe there is no way around having this requirement.

If someone did manage to get into your car during those 10 seconds, as soon as their foot presses on the brake predal to take it out of "Park", the car shuts itself off.


(I don't know if it depends on the model or not, but the last 2 systems I've had, as long as the key is not in the ignition and turned, the engine shuts off as soon as the brake pedal is pressed during a remote start).

I think the OP is more worried about ppl snooping through his car and taking stuff from inside of it. Not driving off with the vehicle.


The bypass is required by pretty much all current vehicles that will have an aftermarket starter/alarm installed. Its just that different brands will have different requirements for allowing the car to start. As is, some brands will allow the car to start with doors locked but security disabled and other brands will require the doors be unlocked in order for the security to be disabled.

More than likely the 10 second time can be lowered to something like 3-5 seconds. Also, if your car has dual stage unlock, first click unlocks driver door, second click unlocks all other doors, you might be able to get the shop to just do the first driver door unlock then have the starter start the car and then lock again once started. This way only one door is physically unlocked when the car is being started.

It's probably not installed properly if it's new. If it's been awhile since the installation then something is wrong with the "brain" of the remote starter unit. Compustar is know for crap quality. If you get another alarm/starter I would go with Viper and stay away from Compustar.

BTW, if you are only using a remote starter to warm up your car then I would say it's a waste of money. Most modern cars don't need much warming up at idle. Just start and wait 30 secs and drive under 3k rpm for a few minutes. The car warms up faster when it's moving under load.

Of course if you have the starter wired to heated seats, then I can understand some what. I too hate cold seats in the morning.

you do realize that all remote start/alarm brands are owned by or use the same exact components as each other?

Sounds like the installer didn't do the installation correctly...

They should have hooked up the factory disarm wire from the remote starter and use that to temporarily bypass the OEM alarm prior to remote start. That's how my viper 5901 is wired and the locks never need to be unlocked prior to remote starting the car.

chickenbones wrote: ↑It's probably not installed properly if it's new. If it's been awhile since the installation then something is wrong with the "brain" of the remote starter unit. Compustar is know for crap quality. If you get another alarm/starter I would go with Viper and stay away from Compustar.

Absolutely nothing wrong with Compustar... they have some of the longest distance ranges in the aftermarket RS business. The reliability of these things usually outlives the vehicles themselves, unless installed shoddy. Viper is for civic ricers, who want that "cool" 'blip blip' sound when they secure their rides worth about $2.5K.

chickenbones wrote: ↑ BTW, if you are only using a remote starter to warm up your car then I would say it's a waste of money. Most modern cars don't need much warming up at idle. Just start and wait 30 secs and drive under 3k rpm for a few minutes. The car warms up faster when it's moving under load.

Of course if you have the starter wired to heated seats, then I can understand some what. I too hate cold seats in the morning.

Again, not true. It can take up to 5 minutes to properly lubricate the transmission system and heat the engine oil, and not until the RPMs drop from intial start up would I just switch out of park and go. Tolerances in the engine are extra tight when it is -20 or below, and to start loading the engine before it has a chance to warm causes premature wear. The least amount of load is when it is idling. Some vehicles have heaters in the transmission fluid to warm them up fast upon start up.

The best thing to have really, in Canada, is a block heater in conjuction with a remote start for those cold days.