Just installed OEM remote starter...

[BestCarEver]

Bought the OEM remote starter on eBay. Genuine Honda parts from a Honda dealership, no issues $285 with shipping.

So here is the journey for those who wish to travel down this path. I downloaded the instructions by typing in the OEM part number into google, checked compatibility, got 2017 guide for 2016, close enough.

Read instructions over and over until I realized it is simply inserting an extra harness into the existing harness using male/female connector pairs to "splice" into existing branches.

I installed the antenna last, because I did not know the length of cable needed, and it would have been totally in the way.

The plastics come off like a dirty shirt, Honda has made this thing to be quick to put together, but nicely and well thought out. I used to work on 90s VWs and forget about it.

There are two harnesses, one for the heavy power stuff and the module, and a smaller one for the steering column connections. No idea why it needs to be there for the windshield wiper/washer stalk, but hey, you gotta love it. The small harness connects to the big one.

The module connects via a bracket up the steering column, way UP there with a 10mm nut. You have to plug in the large harness module connector before attaching bracket, as the bracket captures the connector.

The module gets attached first, then undo the fuse box, unplug, plug in male harness, plug male original into female harness connector. There is your heavy lifting right there, plug in, wire tie, glue on foam tape...

Release head liner, stuff wire under, glue antenna to windshield, route through, plug in...

Reconnect battery, everything is fuckered, car does not want to start, so out of desperation I crank needlessly until the electronics make friends. Car starts, stereo is angry wants to connect to GPS, seeking its father who orbits in heaven. Errors for lane departure, collision mitigation, brakes, everything is reporting failed.

Expensive dealer trip is now imminent, but wait. Infotainment, goes to home screen, car reports "Systems initializing, drive carefully" so I drive around the block, and all is well. Emotionally drained, I wire tie, put back plastic, go grab a hot cup of tea. Now I try the fob, lock and unlock work, panic works, engine start, no go. Press engine button, then lock on remote comes up NOREG. Yey... So for those who dare to install, I've just finished, will get it registered ASAP, so far so good. I will try to get some keys programmed if they are reasonable as well...

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[BestCarEver]

Just got back from the dealer. They programmed the remote, attempted to program after market key for free. I asked about shop fees up front, I mentioned there are NO materials involved, when I went to pay they dropped the fee. All told, $87 to program, with a very quick interior vacuum and car wash.

I love seeing the dash light up all by itself. Hope it is cold tomorrow so I can enjoy it... So far so good!

 

[Loccust]

Wonder if this would work on a manual?

 

[Snoopyslr]

Wonder if this would work on a manual?

It's illegal in some states to have a remote starter on a manual transmission. Honda might not even include the sockets for the OEM module on a MT vehicle.

 

[BestCarEver]

Wonder if this would work on a manual?

The car should know whether it is in gear, on older cars it would be an issue, but on totally computerized setups like this I would imagine it could work around it.. Would be nice, been starting my car remotely every morning... so nice...

 

[Loccust]

Usually you have to make the car think the clutch is depressed with aftermarket units, just wondering if it would be the same now that I think of it....

 

[BestCarEver]

Usually you have to make the car think the clutch is depressed with aftermarket units, just wondering if it would be the same now that I think of it....

The biggest issue I see is that it has to be programmed to the car, so if it is designed to do it, I see no reason why the dealer would not program it. The way it is now, it won't start if the door is open, the hood is open, etc.. a whole set of criteria has to be met before she chooches..

 

[Snoopyslr]

I'm not saying that it can't be done, I'm just saying you may have a hard time getting a dealership to help you with any part of it. I've got a remote starter on my WRX and it's a MT. Just can't be an idiot and try and start it when you left it in 1st.

 

[Axatax]

I don't know whether the OEM starter works on an MT or not -

However, these cars have a neutral position sensor in the manual transmission (used by the VSA system) so a properly-installed aftermarket starter that is connected to this sensor can be made to not start in gear.

 

[BestCarEver]

I don't know whether the OEM starter works on an MT or not -

However, these cars have a neutral position sensor in the manual transmission (used by the VSA system) so a properly-installed aftermarket starter that is connected to this sensor can be made to not start in gear.

I think it could be setup safely, I agree. Would be nice to know if it could a factory option on a MT..

 

[BestCarEver]

The biggest issue I see is that it has to be programmed to the car, so if it is designed to do it, I see no reason why the dealer would not program it. The way it is now, it won't start if the door is open, the hood is open, etc.. a whole set of criteria has to be met before she chooches..

Just checked, the 2018 base Civic with MT comes with it...

 

[Harry73127]

Isn't that just for unlocking doors, not for starting the engine?

 

[dc2turbo]

Isn't that just for unlocking doors, not for starting the engine?

correct

 

[BestCarEver]

Isn't that just for unlocking doors, not for starting the engine?

Darn, I figure the remote trunk is not really a "feature" anymore, and the remote starter opens the trunk if you hold the engine button down, so I thought it was the remote engine FOB... Maybe still doable though..

 

[Blacklude4]

Bought the OEM remote starter on eBay. Genuine Honda parts from a Honda dealership, no issues $285 with shipping.

Do you happen to have the oem part number you bought? I would like to dig into this and see about getting it to work on a MT.
There are basically 4 obstacles, already stated above:

1) Are the factory harness plugs the same between AT and MT.

2) Find a voltage signal only used by the remote start during startup for a clutch bypass relay.

3) Adding a switch that closes when in neutral, to take the place of the AT park sensor. (Yes you could bypass this, but personally this is pretty dumb. First time your wife or friend forgets....bam)

4) Getting the dealer to program your key on said MT car

Easily do-able..but most likely not worth the work. But, like I said I would like to look into it. I have had plenty aftermarket remote starts on MT cars with no problems. But, from what I read awhile back the Honda keyless entry doesn't play nice with them.

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