Already saw the Ford Accessories kit. My question is has anyone here bought the kit yet?

 

from what I gather the kit is like 200-250 bucks. For the most part it is plug and play but you still have to have the dealer turn it on. If your not going to do it yourself your going to pay 3-400 bucks. Your better off going aftermarket. Factory remote start ranges suck, they only go about as far as your remote entry goes. Go aftermarket they are better.

 

I've never had a factory remote start but have seen countless people with problems on the forum. Definitely look at the aftermarket route. Any DEI product will be a great choice. They make a couple different lines like python, viper, avital. I've owned and installed quite a few different DEI remote start/ alarms and all of them have worked very well.

 

The problem with putting aftermarket remote start systems in, is that IF there is ever a problem that can even remotely be related to ignition, bad grounds, and in some cases anything electrical, before the dealer will do any warranty work, they will want the aftermarket system removed. The removal ind re-installation can be a giant PITA. The odds of you actually running into this are in all likelihood very small, but it is possible. I have a friend who is in this small minority. He had a PATS related problem, and the dealer (3 different ones) told him to remove the R/S and they would fix it.

His story is what made me choose a Ford remote start, and I paid the dealer to install it. All aspects covered. Wouldn't you know it though, "knock on wood" that I have not had any troubles that needed attention. That said, the range is definitely lacking. From the house to the driveway it works awesome, but from the middle of the mall, or even the middle of the shop I work at, I get no response.

Weigh your options, but I think the aftermarket route is worth the risk. Especially with all the phone apps, and dynamic range most of the aftermarket remotes have.....

 

Well thanks guys. You answered exactly what I didn't ask.


I am very familiar with aftermarket systems. I have one on every vehicle since 2002. Thats about, hmmm, 7 systems that I've had. most of them were Avital and I am well familiar with DEI. I don't care about the extended range or anything like that. I am only interested in the FACTORY ADD ON SYSTEM! Range isn't an issue for me as this is mostly for work and home. I've already priced the system but the dealer wouldn't quote me a price for the install due to the tech being in a class today. I'm okay with spending the 228 on the kit. I'm probably okay with whatever the dealer wants to charge for the install. I just wanted to hear from people that have done the same.

 

Best OEM model available. http://accessories.ford.com/kit-remote-starter.html

Other OEM models. http://accessories.ford.com/vehicles...ote-start.html

 

Well, now I feel kinda bad for offering three paragraphs of my own experience with the factory remote systems.

To answer you original question of "has anyone here bought the kit yet?", there is one simple answer.......

YES there are.

I take it that answers your question in full.

 

So much for being nice on the internet.

 

"Also, I'm a ****!"

There you go, finished up your post for you. You're welcome!

 

http://accessories.ford.com/ is your friend. If you live in a market with several dealers many of them might even have online billing THROUGH the website. You can see exactly how much install is and everything. The awesome part though is that the parts on that website are LESS than MSRP (which most dealers are going to usually charge you).

A lot of people have been doing group buys on OEM Stoweable Bed Extenders through some dealership on f15forums (maybe here as well, can't remember) and the price they are charging shipped is more than I can order it from (delivered to my local dealer) including sales tax. I don't think a lot of people know about that accessories website.

 

My dealer did a half a$$ instal of an aftermarket gps tracking device then removed it at time of purchase. All of this was done without disclosure... this was a new 2011fx4. They left wires hacked and part of the ignition routed through a relay from the now missing system. For a dealer to deny service to someone with after market remote start is bunk.

 

The newer Ford vehicles require no cutting for ford brand remote start and alarm systems. Everything is plug and play and should take em about 20 minutes. There are videos on youtube of a dealer doing an install, it's cake.

 

I ordered the kit! I got the one with the key! Yes the range is not going to be as good as the other OEM remotes however it does give you 2 extra keys and ford charges about 100 bucks a key so that part is a no brainer. Now I haven't picked up my truck yet, it just got here today so I will be picking it up on Monday / Tuesday, But here is what happened and may happen to you. I called the dealer and asked them how much to install the remote start, they said about 300 to 500, but they suggested going with aftermarket. I said I don't want my ingnition wires hacked I want the OEM remote. They didn't know how to do it. So I printed out the procedures and took it in. They never did one but couldn't believe how easy it was. So here is what I did next. I went online to Ford accessories, looked up my model and year and got the one with the keys. I put it in the shopping cart, then went to the shopping cart and there you have the option to buy the kit or the kit and installation! I choose kit and installation. The next thing it asked was for my zip code. then you get to pick from a list of dealers in that zip code, next you will see the total price. Here is my breakdown based on the 15801 zip code. I think the kit was 228.00 and with the labor it was 278.00.. so that is what I did and I suggest you try looking it up and see how much your dealer will charge.

 

It has the same range as locking and unlocking your truck with the fob. In other words, s**t. I already have that remote start standard with with 2012 FX4 Luxury and I'm still going to get the bidirectional 1000ft model. With the bidirectional fob you push the start sequence and it beeps and lights up to let you know the truck actually started. Otherwise its a guessing game because you have to push the lock buton and the start button 2x on the key version like I already have.

I'm just giving you a heads up. http://accessories.ford.com/kit-remote-starter.html is $286 on that site and $140 for install.

 

I'm sure most of you know, but sometimes I'm surprised at those who haven't heard of this technique. If you want to increase your range, hold your key fob to your chin and then press the button. It's not going to increase the range by a football field, but might seems to help quite a bit.

It can make a world of difference on my aftermarket system. I'm sure it can only help on the factory system as well. Just something to try for those having short range issues.