Hey guys,
I decided to install a remote starter on my 2011 Prius as an academic exercise.
For this exercise, I only used a DB-ALL bypass module, but flashed it with a firmware that allows the DB-ALL module to act as a remote starter by itself. This is called "remote-start ready," and is a set-up that is possible on most Toyotas with push-to-start, Nissan vehicles with i-key, newer Chryslers, newer GM vehicles, VW/Audi products, and a few 2013 Hondas with push-to-start.
By doing a "remote-start ready setup," I did not have to purchase a separate remote starter "brain," such as a Viper 4704. Although many eBay sellers will install the firmware for you before shipping the module, but I chose to purchase a xkloader 2 ($25) to install the firmware myself - as I wanted to configure the DB-ALL to keep the car running for up to 60 min (instead of the default 15).
Directed (DEI) recently introduced a T-Harness for many Toyota/Lexus equipped with push-to-start. T-Harnesses are also available for many NIssan, Chrysler and GM vehicles. The part # for my 2011 Prius was TLTH2. For $30, this T-harness plugs into your OBD-II port and handles the connections for the 12v, ground, can-hi and can-low connections. As a result, this greatly simplifies the installation process and reduces the number of wires that need to be tapped into.
After the T-Harness is installed, there are only 5 wires left to hook-up: rx (violet, pin 4), tx (green, pin 16), parking lights (yellow, pin 30), push-to-start and EIPS to horn. (Note: the last two wires are not needed if you do not care for the pitstop feature, which does not work with the OEM remote anyway, so you actually only need to hook-up 3 wires.)
If you find that the OEM fob does not provide enough range, you can either purchase DEI's SmartStart module (allows you to start your car from your phone for $3-5/mo), or you can purchase a range extender kit which is supposed to offer up to a 1 mi range thru an aftermarket remote. I chose the latter, and ordered a Viper 9752VL kit for $165- which includes a chunky Viper 7752v remote, XK202 receiver, and a 6711T antenna. However, this is completely optional.
Overall, the installation is quite manageable for the moderately-skilled DIYer as long as you take several days to study the wiring diagrams and gain a basic understanding of how the systems work and interface. Soldering the 3 connections mentioned earlier is highly recommended, but I elected to use T-Taps (yes, shame on me) since I am not skilled in soldering. I feel a little bit better about using T-Taps for the three wires since they are not the power wires, but I plan to go back and solder them at some point.
Below is a video of the system in action. Feel free to ask any questions - I'll try to answer them the best that I can.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp3ZRAoJ3GM
Skip to 7:02 for an explanation of RSR (remote-start ready) and how the firmware loading process works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-7MXU5C0Vkw
Website:
http://www.xpresskit.com
I decided to install a remote starter on my 2011 Prius as an academic exercise.
For this exercise, I only used a DB-ALL bypass module, but flashed it with a firmware that allows the DB-ALL module to act as a remote starter by itself. This is called "remote-start ready," and is a set-up that is possible on most Toyotas with push-to-start, Nissan vehicles with i-key, newer Chryslers, newer GM vehicles, VW/Audi products, and a few 2013 Hondas with push-to-start.
By doing a "remote-start ready setup," I did not have to purchase a separate remote starter "brain," such as a Viper 4704. Although many eBay sellers will install the firmware for you before shipping the module, but I chose to purchase a xkloader 2 ($25) to install the firmware myself - as I wanted to configure the DB-ALL to keep the car running for up to 60 min (instead of the default 15).
Directed (DEI) recently introduced a T-Harness for many Toyota/Lexus equipped with push-to-start. T-Harnesses are also available for many NIssan, Chrysler and GM vehicles. The part # for my 2011 Prius was TLTH2. For $30, this T-harness plugs into your OBD-II port and handles the connections for the 12v, ground, can-hi and can-low connections. As a result, this greatly simplifies the installation process and reduces the number of wires that need to be tapped into.
After the T-Harness is installed, there are only 5 wires left to hook-up: rx (violet, pin 4), tx (green, pin 16), parking lights (yellow, pin 30), push-to-start and EIPS to horn. (Note: the last two wires are not needed if you do not care for the pitstop feature, which does not work with the OEM remote anyway, so you actually only need to hook-up 3 wires.)
If you find that the OEM fob does not provide enough range, you can either purchase DEI's SmartStart module (allows you to start your car from your phone for $3-5/mo), or you can purchase a range extender kit which is supposed to offer up to a 1 mi range thru an aftermarket remote. I chose the latter, and ordered a Viper 9752VL kit for $165- which includes a chunky Viper 7752v remote, XK202 receiver, and a 6711T antenna. However, this is completely optional.
Overall, the installation is quite manageable for the moderately-skilled DIYer as long as you take several days to study the wiring diagrams and gain a basic understanding of how the systems work and interface. Soldering the 3 connections mentioned earlier is highly recommended, but I elected to use T-Taps (yes, shame on me) since I am not skilled in soldering. I feel a little bit better about using T-Taps for the three wires since they are not the power wires, but I plan to go back and solder them at some point.
Below is a video of the system in action. Feel free to ask any questions - I'll try to answer them the best that I can.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp3ZRAoJ3GM
Skip to 7:02 for an explanation of RSR (remote-start ready) and how the firmware loading process works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-7MXU5C0Vkw
Website:
http://www.xpresskit.com
