canmax400dei, 2004 acura tl

Update: Clifford Matrix with canmax400dei flashed with latest firmware installed on 2004 Acura TL with manual transmission. Alarm and door locks work fine. I can activate MT mode, remove the key (car still running), close the door and then arm the alarm (engine shuts down and alarm and remote start are armed). When I press the remote start button, the system activates (accessories come on) but the starter does not engage. I've double checked all of my heavy gauge wiring and it is all correct. All of the fuses are good. All of my connections are soldered. I even tried the remote start with my key in the ignition or near it to see if the bypass was not working. Still no starter engagement. Any ideas?

What happens if you try to remote start it while holding the clutch pedal to the floor?

yes, how did you bypass clutch??Kevin Gerry

Certified Electronics Technician

MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer

Classic Car Audio

since 1979

i am an idiot wrote: What happens if you try to remote start it while holding the clutch pedal to the floor?

You're not an idiot, I am! Bingo, that was it. Remote start works fine with the clutch pushed in. Kevin, I haven't bypassed the clutch. The install manual doesn't say a thing about clutch bypass and I blindly assumed clutch bypass was handled by the brain sending a signal through the B-can. I didn't even look at the TL's clutch wiring until now. It's a simple ground to the starter cutout relay coil, not a B-can signal! So I guess I'll need to wire pin 3 (violet wire, 200mA negative starter output) of the 5-pin remote start aux output harness to the wire going from the clutch switch to the starter cutout relay coil?

I have no idea how the clutch switch works in that vehicle.  All you have to do is duplicate it's action when it is pressed.  There should only be one wire going to the switch.  I do not know if it is grounded or open while depressed.  You will have to check, or some of our hands on guys can help you more than I can.

It's grounded when depressed. I'm pretty sure my idea will work....we'll know in an hour or so

Let us know.

Yep, that worked. Remote start works perfectly now. I'm a happy camper! Thanks to everyone who replied!!

I need to undock the canmax400dei from the brain to double check the light flash polarity fuse. Can I just pop it out and then back in without cutting the power to the brain? Or should I cut the power to the brain first? If I cut power to the brain (and canmax), does it retain settings and will it remember the remote or will I have to reset? Thanks

Can anyone help me out on my docking/undocking question above? Thanks!