08 volkswagen remote start problem

Hey guys, I got a problem you might be able to help me fix. I went to my local car audio installer and bought a Clifford 3.3x Responder LE 2-way security and remote start and had them install it. Everything went correctly except they said they could not completely install the remote start. They said they didn't have a "pigtail" to tap into the ignition harness because supposively VW's harness is very short. It's been a month and this part still has not been produced from DEI (Directed Electronics). So I was wondering if the story the installers are telling me makes sense or if they are giving me the run around.

Any help is much appreciated. THANKS!

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1995 Jeep Wrangler

I've never done a VW but that sounds a little weird to me.. What model VW?

Unless VW's are different then other vehicles I've done I've never had to use a "pigtail" or other harness to splice into the wires..

I've steered clear of MkV's but from previous experience the leads at ignition can't be used (data?) and one has to go to a box  further down the column. As Ted says which rule applies to both MkIV and V, it's a right pain to get at and that's your answer, LAZYNESS.

What could they possibly be talking about by "pigtail?"

The wires from the remote starter are probably not long enough (and are certainly too thick) to make it all the way up the car's steering column, and splice into the thin-gauge factory ignition wires.

But, um, I mean, all they have to do is splice some thinner wires onto the remote starter's wires to extend them. What task could be simpler than extending a wire to make it longer?

Most European cars are a hassle to work on, and the shop would be justified in charging 50-100% more than for an American or Asian car, in my opinion.

But, if they're competent, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to connect the remote start portion of the system.

I believe they're really beating me around the bush and I'm traveling there today to either get the remote start connected or the whole system removed. I know of another installer that has already showed me the bypass module that you use the valet key with to get the remote start to work correctly, and said they could do it.

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1995 Jeep Wrangler

Would anyone know how to get in touch with Velocity Motorsports? or even have a remote start wiring diagram for a MKV VW R32? The wiring should be all the same for all MKV models I'm guessing. Thanks.

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1995 Jeep Wrangler

I'd like to bump this topic back up. it's been 3 1/2 months since the installation took place and i still have no remote start. DEI has still not put out a piggback harness for the problem with the short and thin gauged ignition wires between the ignition cylinder and ignition module.

I wanted to see if anyone else has any experience with this problem and if/how they fixed it and connected the system.

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1995 Jeep Wrangler

And guess what,  DEI won't. If they don't supply specialised leads for any other vehicle manufacturer*and think of the number of Ford and GM trucks featured here, why would they for VW?  Chris' comments were spot on. * Before I get pulled up on this, I know they (Clifford) supplied Rolls Royce in the late 80s.

so i'm basically screwed haha. I guess a tech got in touch with someone that has done an 07 GTI which is the same as my car. They had to take the ignition module apart and solder the remote start wires to the board itself. Which is something I'm not going to have done.

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1995 Jeep Wrangler

There's no reason to solder anything to any boards in the car.

I still didn't catch what kind of VW you have, and the only one I've worked on is an '07 Jetta, but from what I gather, Jetta, Golf/Rabbit, GTI, Beetle, should all be about the same.

Anyway, these cars certainly are more difficult and time-consuming than your typical American or Asian car. Many shops don't want to get involved at all, and others charge significantly more. For example, I'd charge you 1 1/2 times what I'd get for, say, a Toyota, to make it worth my time.

At any rate, though, it's not an impossible job, and there are a few posts about it on the Internet.

If your installer is/was unwilling to take a chance on this car, well, that's his right........but he should have told you before starting.

If he charged you for an alarm and remote start, but you only have an alarm......well, in my opinion, he owes you at least a partial refund.

If he told you at the outset that you'd only end up with an alarm, well, that's a different story.

At any rate, you should be able to find someone in your area who's competent and willing to put a remote start in your car.

i have an 08 R32. which is the same as the others. how did you connect the remote start on the 07 Jetta that you worked on? they said if i find a way to do it then they will gladly connect the system.

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1995 Jeep Wrangler

Read Chris advice where you solder thinner wires to the outputs.  I've done this to the ignition wiring on a european Vauxhall/Opel in similar circumstances.