AstroStart RSS-2524 and Pilot EX-L 2005

[harringg]

I bought my '05 Pilot used from a dealer who is also an authorized AstroStart dealer. At the time of purchase of the vehicle, bought the AstroStart RSS-2524. Paid the 'extra' fee because it needed a special modifier to work with the Honda, so paid ~$550 for everything.

Drove it off the lot, went shopping and started it before leaving the store and the alarm was going off when I got to the car. Couldn't shut it off so drove it to the dealer like that.

They spent another hour and have that resolved, but now it won't respond as it should. Putting the key in and pressing the brakes will randomly lock the doors (it should all the time), putting it in Park won't unlock the doors (it should), the feature for driver door with one click and the rest with a second click should work according to the AstroStart manual, but it doesn't.

Does any one have any feedback on this model AstroStart in the '05 Pilot (or similar year)?

Forecast for today is -16 F, so I need autostart, but wondering if this model isn't the best for the Pilot?

[ED27]

Nothing wrong with the unit. Astrostart is part of the DEI family (Viper, Clifford, Python) so the installation is straightforward. Based on your info I would say that they installed it wrong. Can you get the part number of the "special modifier" that was used? I would also ask if they properly tapped into the factory disarm wire located inside the driver's door.

[harringg]

Originally Posted by ED27

Nothing wrong with the unit. Astrostart is part of the DEI family (Viper, Clifford, Python) so the installation is straightforward. Based on your info I would say that they installed it wrong. Can you get the part number of the "special modifier" that was used? I would also ask if they properly tapped into the factory disarm wire located inside the driver's door.

Quick update. Got the alarm situation resolved, but after two trips back, one for the alarm and because when I pressed the start button, it would only run for two minutes, shut off and the 2way remote was reading back red. It turns out that the key remote was faulty, causing the 2 minute run time and the red light on feedback.

I drove it away and now....

As Pilot owners here know, the dome lights have a three position settings: A. Off, B. On when doors are opened, C. On all the time It's set to B, On when doors are opened.

Here is how things should work (AstroStart out of the equation)

1. No Astrostart used. Unlock door with Honda key remote
2. Open door, the dome light comes on
3. Put key in ignition and car into gear and the dome light shuts off (this is normal behavior)

Here is how things with the AstroStart

1. Astrostart car with remote (Key icon)
2. Car starts fine.
3. Unlock car with Astrostart. Car unlocks.
4. Open door and dome light comes on.
5. Put key in ignition and car into gear and the dome light stays on (again, it's in position B: On when doors are opened).
6. Turn switch to A: Off, and they shut off. Put it back to B: On when doors are opened, and they turn back on. The doors are all closed.
7. The only way, short of physically setting the switch to A: Off, to get the dome lights to shut off is: Open any door (while the key is in the ignition and the car is in gear, not safe or convenient) and close it and then the dome light shuts off.

I then parked in the garage for the night, and came out in the morning and the battery was dead. Got it started with a boost, drove for an hour to recharge it (battery is actually new, was tested for capacity/starting power), parked it again (every thing was off inside the car), and it was dead again the next morning.

I'm having it pulled by the people who installed it and bringing it to a Honda dealer to get a new one installed.

[ED27]

Originally Posted by harringg

......The only way, short of physically setting the switch to A: Off, to get the dome lights to shut off is: Open any door (while the key is in the ignition and the car is in gear, not safe or convenient) and close it and then the dome light shuts off......I'm having it pulled by the people who installed it and bringing it to a Honda dealer to get a new one installed.

If all of the connections have been verified to be correct, it sounds like it's just a programming issue with the alarm. My Autopage will behave as described above if the domelight supervision settings are not correct. Going to a Honda dealer won't guarantee a good installer either. Most of the time they're worse. If you're considering the OEM accessory make sure you read up on how it works - most people don't like the remote start process vs aftermarket.

[harringg]

Originally Posted by ED27

If all of the connections have been verified to be correct, it sounds like it's just a programming issue with the alarm. My Autopage will behave as described above if the domelight supervision settings are not correct. Going to a Honda dealer won't guarantee a good installer either. Most of the time they're worse. If you're considering the OEM accessory make sure you read up on how it works - most people don't like the remote start process vs aftermarket.

Is it just that Honda wiring/programing is more 'fussy'? I've got autostart on two other (non-Honda) vehicles and have no issues. Or is it the RSS 2524 that's the issue do you think?

Thanks.

[ED27]

Originally Posted by harringg

Is it just that Honda wiring/programing is more 'fussy'? I've got autostart on two other (non-Honda) vehicles and have no issues. Or is it the RSS 2524 that's the issue do you think?

Thanks.

Nope. Hondas in general are some of the easiest cars to work on. Since Autostart was bought out by DEI a while back, they now follow the same footprint as the models you see from Viper, Clifford and Python. Not very difficult to install especially when DEI provides their dealers with all of the OEM wiring information. They're dealer tech support is consistently one of the best in the business as well. Is the unit still installed?

[harringg]

It's been pulled, yesterday. And guess what? The car started this morning, battery wasn't dead. Something had to have been cross-wired, mis-wired, something.

Another thing that I noticed and it wasn't 'in my head'. When I bought the vehicle, the stereo system quality was 'amazing'. After the Astrostart was installed, it sounded flat and quiet, and local stations had static. After the Astrostart was pulled and drove home it sounded 'normal' again.

Also I'm mad at the fact that the auto window up/down on the drivers door worked (I use that feature on other vehicles I own, so used it on the Honda when I first got it and it worked), and now it doesn't work either. It can't be coincidence, but they said the switch is bad, and it's not under warranty. Grrrr...

Any advice on a reliable two-way remote system for the '05 Pilot?

[ED27]

Originally Posted by harringg

Also I'm mad at the fact that the auto window up/down on the drivers door worked (I use that feature on other vehicles I own, so used it on the Honda when I first got it and it worked), and now it doesn't work either. It can't be coincidence, but they said the switch is bad, and it's not under warranty. Grrrr...?

The auto up/down window feature is programmable.....when the battery is disconnected and then re-connected, the feature has to be programmed. Roll the window down and Hold the switch for 3 seconds and then roll the window up and hold it again for 3 seconds.

[ED27]

Originally Posted by harringg

Any advice on a reliable two-way remote system for the '05 Pilot?

The Astrostart units are fine as well as any of the DEI stuff. Just comes down to what model has the features/remotes you like. Personally I've had good success with Autopage but might try Code Alarm for my new car. As you have experienced, the most important feature is the installer. I would focus more on finding a good installer that has experience with Hondas and will perform the installation properly. MECP-certified is a must but I would also ask questions on installation technique (soldering connections, brain and siren placement, making alarm wiring look OEM, etc.).

[harringg]

Originally Posted by ED27

The auto up/down window feature is programmable.....when the battery is disconnected and then re-connected, the feature has to be programmed. Roll the window down and Hold the switch for 3 seconds and then roll the window up and hold it again for 3 seconds.

THANK YOU!!!!

That fixed it. I'm also learning that since I didn't buy it from a Honda dealer, to take all my future issues to the Honda dealer.