what aftermarket car starter do i have?

Hi all, I purchased a used car that has a Car Starter installed but I did not get a remote with it. I am trying to figure out what type of starter it is so I can get a new remote. Here is some information: Car: 2003 Subaru Forester (Automatic) Starter: -I can put the starter in valet mode using a red button under the sash...I turn the car to "ON" and then press the valet button 3 times..the horn sounds 3 times and then a red light stays on. I do the same thing to take it out of valet mode and the horn sounds 3 times and the red light goes off. -Under the dash I found the starter module that is connected to the valet button...it does not say any name on it but the serial I can make out is: SPA-2000 195DC LR262   ...the last few digits are pretty faded so that is a best guess. If any one can tell me what type of starter this is...and/or programming instructions that would be wonderful. Thanks in advance for all your help. Cheers!

a quick google search located a few manuals from a company called gitsecurity and after reading one it describes valet mode just as you have.  all I searched was spa-2000 remote startAdvanced

Hi there, Thanks for the reply...I have followed the git security guides but the same instructions are not working on the system I have...from what I researched SPA-2000...there are several brands/models that fall under that technology and possibly some different program instructions....any further assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Does not seem to go into a learning mode using any of the gitsecurity instructions...if there is any other info out there that would be great. Thanks

Seems as though it may be a PowerStart SPA2000 starter...the following instuctions seem to line up with the starter I have: http://www.gitsecurity.com/support/manual/english/P9K-SPA2K_user_eng.pdf The issue is this document does not have instructions for programming a new remote....does anyone have the instructions for a Powerstart starter on how to program the remote? Thanks very much, Evan

I think I found the issue....Seems as though the Hood pin corroded and the hood pin wire is not connect to it anymore (brown wire). Here is my question now....for the sake of programming the remote....can I just ground the brown wire....then program the remote...then unground the brown wire and test the starter?   If all goes well then i will install a new hood pin. Will that work? Thanks!

Yes you can do that. A lot of remote starters need to see that hood wire grounded to enter programming mode. Just make sure you replace that hood pin switch for safety reasons. Although if it's corroded, it isn't doing much in terms of safety.

Ok great...thanks for the reply..I will give it a shot this evening. Yes...I will get a new hood pin if all works well and replace the old corroded one. When grounding that hood pin wire (brown one) should I disconnect the battery before grounding or does it matter much? Thanks

You shouldn't have to disconnect the battery. It's a very low power wire and all it does is provide a negative signal to the remote starter. As long as you don't bring it near the battery + terminal, it will be fine to just wrap it to a screw or any method to keep it grounded for programming.

Perfect thanks for your help! I will report back how it goes tonight. Cheers