I was thinking of putting a remote starter for my 04 UL. I wanted to know if this would be a safe mod for this type of vehicle. I have heard that remote starters could sometimes be bad for your starter/engine. I would like to know if anyone else has a remote start for their LS and what feedback they can give from this experience.

Thank you in Advance.

 

Good luck with this mod, since your vehicle has a smart key, it's going to be tough.
Haven't seen an LS 04 and up with a remote starter.

 

The main issue is with the smartkey. I had the remote start installed on my GS400. It was ok, but I will never install a remote start again. It conflicts with the stock keyless entry.

On a smart key car, I can't imagine it working at all. When you remotely start the car, the smart key function will no longer work and you will prob have to use the actual key to open the doors.

 

I'm actually working on this issue at the moment. My installer stated my alarm system with the remote starter (CompuStar) will work on my 04 as the system can "learn" the chip code in the Smartkey. The only drawback is that I need to carry the Smartkey remote as well as the CompuStar remote in order to drive the car. As I get new info on this, I will advise.

On a separate note, I've had remote starters for my cars since 1992. They are safe and will not ruin your starter or engine if installed correctly.

 

I just installed a remote starter only on my 01 GS3. No problems at all. It works in parallel with the regular keys, ie I can use one or the other to enter/start the car.

I actually did some research on a remote starter with smart key, I was considering an 04 UL. It should start without any issues IF installed correctly. The keyless entry would most likely be disable as soon as the car starts so you would have to rely on the RS to unlock the doors. You still need the key to put the car in the "on" position and hand-off from the RS. Of course I don't have an LS to say anything for certain.

 

Any remote start with keyless entry should work, even with the smart key. Directed's XK05 bypass requires two keys to program it, and you're good from there. Don't have to give up a key either! When installing, the LS has 2 ignition wires. The second must be powered on via the remote start as it is what powers on the immobilizer computer. If the 2nd ign wire is not powered up, the car will not recognize the bypass and thus not start.

Now, it being a safe mod? That HIGHLY depends on the installer doing the work. When in doubt, as if he/she is MECP certified .