Remote Start.... for Manual Trans

[jmgtp]

I've always wanted a remote start for the winter. The manual trans has always kept me from even considering one though.

Are there options available? A system which would ensure that both the parking break is engaged and the transmission in neutral before attempting a start? The Subaru I believe has a neutral/gear select switch. The system would somehow need to bypass the clutch switch. Legality? Cost?

[grayguy]

Yes, there are, any professional installer will have NO problem doing an install on a manual car, and if they do, you shouldn't be taking your car there.

[decke48]

ahh i can tell a story. not with a remote car starter. but bypassing a clutch switch(sort of the same, because most people just bypass the clutch switch for remote start). well short story short. kid gets into the car. doesnt push in the clutch. cars in first. starts car. pins his grandmother agains a wall. breaks her leg.
if you find a installer that will not just bypass the clutch switch and will make sure the car wont start with it in gear. go for it

[StatGSR]

compustars are made for use with manual trannys while most others are not. yes it could still back fire, but it would have to be your fault, not the systems.

[Reason]

My friends truck went through his garage door one morning.

[rougeben83]

most shops will not do that for a manual because of legal reasons, not necessarily due to a lack of skill/knowledge.

[1996Battlewagon]

most shops will not do that for a manual because of legal reasons, not necessarily due to a lack of skill/knowledge.

Yep, it is illegal to install remote starters on manual cars in quite a few states. It is here in Tennessee; I had a friend who went to Atlanta (I think) to get his installed. It worked, so it's possible.

[jmgtp]

Well I'm not looking for an installer that will do it. I intend on doing it myself.

I'm more looking for a brand that supports manual transmissions in order to best protect myself from the horror stories some of you shared above. Yes I can rig a one meant for an auto transmission to work but that could mean bypassing the safeties. I wouldn't consider one that does not have safeties built in to determine that the transmission is in neutral and the parking brake applied.

So far compustars is the only brand I see mentioned above so I will look more into that.

[anothernord]

Yep, the Compustar systems have a system that makes it impossible to leave the car in neutral when you leave it. Basically you hold in the brake while the car is in neutral (duh), pull the E-brake, release the brake pedal, then leave the car. When the last door is shut, the engine shuts itself off and is ready to be started remotely. :razz:

[AussieDan]

Unlike most manual transmissions, subaru fitted a neutral position switch to the 5mt which makes it simpler to wire in a remote starter.

Basically you would need to do a little rewiring so that the car will start when the clutch is depressed OR the car is in neutral. After a quick look through the FSM it would appear you need to tap into the LgR wire from the NPS, then run a wire with a diode to the GY wire on the clutch start switch, so that it is grounded when the car is in neutral.

This would also allow you to start the car in neutral without depressing the clutch. Allowing the remote starter to work would be a matter of also hooking the new wire you added to the 'park' sensor terminal on the remote starter.

NOTE: I haven't done this myself, check the FSMs and read the various threads on NASIOC/rs25 or pay someone to do it for you.

[Huffer]

I'd say you'd want the remote start to only be allowed to activate if the handbrake is engaged, AND the car is in neutral.

But I'd love one myself. Damn cold weather!