viper remote start, 08 honda element

Since it does work fine with the ignition key on: You've either got: A: main ignition wire not powered at all. B: Ignition and accessory reversed, and your ignition is dropping out during crank. C: You've got the right ignition wire, but a poor connection, defective remote starter, et cetera. Try this: 1. Turn on radio at a moderate volume, turn heater fan on at medium speed. Turn key back off. 2. Hit the remote start, and observe the radio, the heater, and all those warning lights that come on on the dashboard. 3. Radio and heat should drop out during the time the remote starter is cranking, but all those dash warning lights should stay on. P.S. If you didn't power up the second-accessory wire (the one that does the radio), that's OK too. I usually leave that unpowered, so the radio remains off during remote start.

5 wire reverse polarity