Dealer remote starter

[DanSM]

I gather from searching the archives the Toyota remote starter is not a particularly slick piece of work.

The Buick I traded in on my 2011 Avalon had an OEM starter. Worked like this: press door lock first, then the remote start button. Unlock the door to enter the car (engine does not stop), put the key in the ignition and turn to run, and away you go. None of this nonsense of the engine shutting off when you open the door. I should think too, the car's OEM immobilizer also works.

Up here in Canada, one cannot get an OEM remote starter (in fact the car comes one way, with no factory options). From what I've read, would have been pretty upset with it, given I am used to the above.

I got the dealer system (Clifford).

Here is my question for those who got an aftermarket remote starter:
Can you still use your Toyota fobs?
I cannot. Have asked the dealer to investigate.
Also, the dealer claims they cannot get the Clifford fob to operate the trunk. Has this been other people's experience?

I also specifically asked if the starter would sync with the factory alarm, which they told me yes, but did not specifically ask about the immobilizer, though from another poster, am inclined to think I unknowingly gave up.

For various reasons, I am rather less than impressed with my dealer, so would appreciate hearing from you guys if indeed I have to live with the Toyota fob not working if I use the aftermarket remote starter, and give up the trunk release.

Cheers,
Dan

[grandpapa]

No.

[DanSM]

Sorry, can you kindly clarify?

"No" you cannot use the Toyota fobs if you use your remote starter, or "No" its not your experience I should have to give up the remote trunk release.


I should add this point, though pretty sure the answer to this, is that this shouldn't happen: the alarm light flashes intermittently when I use the remote start to start the car. So, the alarm light still flashes intermittently with the key in the ignition.

Thanks,
Dan

[tfelton]

I have a remote starter with my '08 Ltd. The Toyota fob works normally and also operates the remote starter. With mine you push the lock button 3 times and on the 4th time you hold it down until the car starts.

[MAToyotaSales]

I am assuming you have push button start, which the buick did not have.....correct?

There are very few push button start remote start systems. I have done a few in which the engine does not turn off.....most of them the engine turns off when the drivers door is opened.

The reason for this is security. If your vehicle is remote started, someone breaks the window and opens the door, they could simply drive off if the vehicle does not turn off. This is different than a key ignition, it cannot function the same.

You can't use the Toyota Fobs while the vehicle is remote started either. This is just a fact of life with a push button start system, same as if it was on a Nissan, Ford, BMW.....ECT.

I'm not sure what you mean by "sync with factory alarm". Are you locking the vehicle with the Toyota system or with the clifford remote? If I were you, I'd only use the other remote to start the vehicle and unlock it. Otherwise, use the smart key. The system must deactivate the alarm, otherwise the vehicle would not start. I'm not positive if it does/should activate the alarm if locking the vehicle with the other remote.

[DanSM]

Actually, I do not have the push button start. And you're correct, the Buick did not either.

Dealer finally got the trunk release to work on the aftermarket fob, however if I use the aftermarket fob to start the car, the Toyota fob still will not work. Dealer advised I have to live with this. And they managed to fix the alarm light flashing.

This is workable for me, if not particularly slick.
Cheers,
Dan

[MAToyotaSales]

They told you the engine would turn off when you opened the door on a NON smart key car? Well that was a lie......