Anyone use a remote start for their manual rx8? I have absolutely no experience with them. Is it possible on this car, or any manual transmission vehicle?

If so, did you install it yourself? Or mechanic/ electronics store?

If anyone has any experience with these products, what's a good brand? I want to get my girlfriend one for her 2008 VW R32.

 

It's possible on any manual trans car. It's for experienced installers only and, maybe most important, for responsible users only. If you leave your car in gear while parked, forget about it, hit the remote start..... you could easily cause some $$$$ damage to surrounding vehicles or property.

 

Well I nearly never leave my current car ('93 toyota camry) in gear, even on hills I only use the pb. If the hill seems like way too much then i'd put it in gear, but that's almost never.

Are there any good ones? I have searched previous posts, but most are from '04-'05 when the cars were still very new.

 

Get something tried and true since the dawn of the automobile. DEI or nothing.

 

For a remote starter installation on a M/T vehicle the clutch pedal starter interlock switch must be bypassed, so just be aware you'll/she'll lose that safety feature (thereafter you or the system be able to start it without depressing the clutch pedal, and if it's in gear ....)

Have a pro do it.

 

Could have swore I just said that.

 

i have a remote start for my manual laying around only annoying thing is i need an extra module for the key sensor thatS the only reason why i havent used it yet even though i got mine for free i still dont want to cough up and extra hundred bucks for the module and then instal it

 

... but I said it better.

 

Scytek makes a remote start for a manual trans if you can't find one local let me know

 

Any remote starter can be installed in any car regardless of transmission type. The RX will require a starter immobilizer bypass. This is true of most cars built in the passed 15 years. The newer DEI's have a sequence to follow if in "manual mode". I bypassed my clutch with a bosch SPDT relay. You will need to complete the circuit between the two wires atop the clutch pedal. DO NOT LEAVE THE CAR IN GEAR. Once the relay is interfaced for remote use, your car will "see a depressed clutch pedal". You will also need an amp power cable to supply power for a remote start unit. Most RS have a 60 amp draw and this exceeds any circuit you will find in the car. It is not safe to install one without using power directly off the battery

IMHO DEI is the only keyless/security/remote starter interface I would put on my vehicles. Formerly working in this field, I have seen and installed many other brands with adverse effects. The quality of the install is equally important as the equipment you are using.

 

^ M/T clutch pedal starter interlock switch bypass. The immobilizer is the key-engine RF-interlock circuitry that recognises the proper vehicle key.

Just trying to keep terms straight.

 

You should always leave a manual tranmission in gear when parked.

 

^ When in normal use, parked, I always leave my M/T in neutral with the E-brake applied (level surface). When in winter storage I also leave it in neutral, with wheels chocked rather than E-brake applied (also level surface).

I don't have a remote starter, but if I did I would have to leave it in neutral.

 

There maybe a "M/T starter interlock" but I used a standard bosch relay to bypass the clutch. If you are spending more than, $10 on such a part you are buying into someone's marketing. It is all an electronic switch. If you do not use the 541M door lock relay (the one that comes in all DEI products), it can also be used here. (FREEBIE!!!)

You are correct about the interlock, but there is also a part needed to bypass the immobilizer. I used a PKALL in my install. Not to hijack the thread, but I thought it is useful to mention for anyone getting a quote for parts/install. It is starting to get cold...

 

Agreed! There is no harm in leaving it in neutral unless you are on a hill.

 

You can bypass the clutch pedal starter interlock switch by simply inserting a 16-18 awg spade connector into its harness socket (bridging the circuit). Don't ask me how I know.

 

I wouldn't recommend it being that you are going to have to bypass some safety options that were incorporated in to the car's design.

 

You don't have to run a jumper for the clutch switch. Most remote car starters you can supply power to the starter circuit after any clutch or brake switch input. So that way if you use the key for starting, you still need to press the clutch switch.

 

What about having a "neutral detection" included in the circuit? I'm sure it should be possible somehow, where being in gear breaks the circuit and won't allow a remote start. I'd also expect someone has thought of that and solved it somehow by now.


The immobilizer bypass has me curious though, for an entirely different reason. Namely when I start my Renesis Miata project, the RX-8 ECU will be looking for an immobilizer, the Miata likely won't have one, or if it does, will be conflicting I imagine.

Different topic, but if someone has insight there that can PM me about it, I'd like to learn more and update my build file.

 

^^^/^^ I wasn't making a recommendation; just an insight.

 

Like bullet,silver said most newer remote starts you can program a sequence to follow before it will allow a remote start.

On my Autopage (installed on my automatic truck not on my rx-8), there is an option for "manual transmissions". If I remember, the sequence is while car is still running, set park brake, put in neutral. Press a certain button combination, the car goes to turbo timer mode (obviously the car will be in neutral for it to idle). Exit vehicle & arm alarm, the engine will shut off & alarm will arm. Car is now ready for next remote start. If during any time the brake is pressed, hood opened, or ignition turned on, etc. the alarm will not let the next remote start happen and you'll have to repeat the memorization sequence again.

You could also wire in a neutral switch. I haven't looked at a rx-8 wiring diagram recently but I believe there is a neutral switch already on the transmission. You'll just need to wire this input into your remote start wiring.

As far as the immobilizer/PATS, I'm pretty sure you'll need at least one key to run the ECM. You can remove the "antenna ring" around the lock cylinder and just tape or wire tie a programmed key to that and tuck it under the dash somewhere. That way you can still use a different key in your original lock tumbler but when the ECM looks for the keycode while starting, it will find that too.

-Jack

 

LMAO... a paper clip would work too but I decided against that method.

Your sequence sounds correct. I was too lazy to look for the owners manual.

There is a neutral wire off the M/T, but who wants to be under the car after you spend hours under the dash... I am sure it runs to ECU or PCM, but didn't have the necessary details. Found this post in DIY courtesy of JON316G. It is the wire location and test. I have not tried it, but should cure the curiosity. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-test-neutral-reverse-switch-200453/

The number of keys required for programming depends on the bypass used. The PKALL I referenced requires two keys. I would recommend against permanently installing the ring around a key in the dash. It is a valuable anti-theft device, or it would not be installed on the car. It makes your car susceptible to theft. Your car can be hotwired (think'90s Dodge/Chrysler)

 

Oops the last part about the immobilizer was meant for RIWWP. Since hes doing a custom install in a Miata. Your right I wouldnt recommend disabling the immobilizer on a street vehicle.

 

Yeah, I don't want a simple hack job like that anyway

Was more curious than anything else, since my fall-back was to have a dealer (uhg ) program a pair of keys to the ECU. Probably a better option in the end, but it wouldn't bother me to have the immobilizer bypassed but an alternate disable elsewhere (like an e-shaft sensor disable or something). Just working on the challenges I will face on the Miata hardware differences that will confuse the RX-8 ECU.