2006 cobalt remote start issues

Hello everyone,

I've done a couple basic installs over the years but when it came to my wife's 2006 Cheverolet Cobalt w/ factory security & keyless entry etc... I started reading about resistors & diodes - & was like "no chance!" so I decided to take it somewhere.

I'm pretty sure they did some things wrong and just want to get opinions prior to calling them up.

#1. I think they broke my dipstick      #2. Is it standard NOT to hook up (bypass) the hood pin switch? - I don't think so?  The kit had one but they didn't use it.      #3. Do you installers normally wire the horn & trunk as part of the install? - I know doors can be extra $$$ (which I paid) but the trunk & horn would have been straight forward connections on this car - yes/no?      #4. Radio stays on if I turn car on & then off with remote without opening door.  Will it turn off on its own eventually before the battery dies?      #5. They didn't hook up priority door access - is this standard practice?      #6.  Alarm went off when my wife opened back door after unlocking it with aftermarket remote.  Did she just need to double pulse it?

It was a ProStart 3100 (I think). - Remote start/keyless entry/trunk combo.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

#1 Bad workmanship or little knowledge of vehicle, either or.

#2 Im not sure about that one but some vehicles have a factory hoodpin that can be connected to. The silverados dont that I know of but idk about the Cobalt. They are usually hooked up but since most systems also have a under dash switch to disable the remote start occasionally the are avoided. Still good idea tho imo. Only reason I would avoid it is if I couldnt find a suitable spot. Warning sticker that should be under the hood for the system should notify of the dash switch.

#3 I avoid the horn unless asked. wizes too many people off. The trunk is a feature usually. Yes its almost always easy but some people dont want it and think that by my not connecting it they will get a huge discount. So I bill for it. Im not gonna do a job where a huge chunk of my pay gets taken because someone didnt want the trunk. Sorry but we do need to make money too. Honestly I do try to include it as much as possible tho and make it cheap.

#4 Turn your vehicle off with the key and dont have any doors open and dont get out. Your radio should stay on too. Its a feature. If you dont like it, connect the door pin switch to the arm wire. That will make it think you opened a door. Radio usually shuts off after five minutes or so anyway tho. Not likely to be an issue, imo.

#5 IDK what you mean by "Priority door access" but if you mean one door unlocks then the other depending on how many times you push the unlock button then its an option. Alot of guys I do jobs for get upset when it doesnt both unlock. So I just program the remote starter to pulse unlock twice and thus unlock both doors at once. Again its an option and can likely be changed.

#6 Dont lock your doors with the key, with the button inside or with the factory fob. You set the factory alarm off, not the remote starts alarm. If I left someone to guard a bank and said only let me inside, noone else, if someone else tried call the cops. If I came back in a disguise the guard would call the cops. Same thing. Your setting the factory alarm when you lock with the key then setting it off when you unlock and open with the remote starter remote. Most security modules handle that but not all. Again it can probably be remedied but I dont do many Cobalts and I dont ever use ProStart.

#7 ProStart, at least in the past, has interesting responses to cold weather. One fun one was relays not disengaging. It makes toast out of your starter in a hurry. Make sure you have anti-grind. To do this try cranking the vehicle when its running. If it doesnt scream at you, your good. If it does, well Google ProStart and make sure they fixed their issues. Personally I dont do them and wont.

#8 Im sorry about the trouble your having and hope you get it solved with no further issues. The thing with the systems is they have a lot of features and it depends on the shop and installer which they think should be hooked up and which shouldnt. Sometimes legal issues are of concern, sometimes experience with past customers, sometimes some features are just useless, bad or pointless. Some just are not usually needed and in order to remain competitive we cant hook up unless you are willing to pay for the extra option. Freemarket economy for you.

Nice present btw.  Take care dude, hope I helped a bit. :)

BTW if I could charge a thousand bucks and parts for exery job I did I would have some incredible work out there. I do a good job but every feature would be hooked up and it would be amazing. Unfortunatly, I have found anyway, most people dont care enough to spend that much money on something if they can get something similar at a lower price. So yeah, some things get missed and it sucks. Im still waiting for the car stereo/remote start/cell phone/fiberglass/new seats etc etc

We do what we do for the ultimate job. Not all of us but those of us who truly care, thats usually why we are here. My opinion maybe but redoing a car into a dream ride is something Id love to do but cant afford so Im waiting for someone who can to hire me to do it to their car.

As stated above, the hood pin is a very necessary connection.  The reason it is so important is so a mechanic does not lose a hand while trying to change a belt on your vehicle.  Say he has a socket and breaker bar trying to remove a pulley nut, and some idiot sees the remote and says, I wonder what this button does.  They REALLY need to connect the hood pin.

Thank you so much for the lengthy replies folks!  Learned lots.

Your time is much appreciated.

Mike