remote start 06 town and country

Hi folks - just a warning I am a DIY'er here trying to gauge this project before I tackle it.  Any help is appreciated.

Getting rid of the wife's 03 suburban due to gas prices. Picking up an 06 town and country.

I'm electrically skilled enough to tackle the job if and only if I have the right documentation - I did one in my old 01 silverado with passlock II (I think it was II) and it took me a while (slow and careful) but I managed just fine. My local installer was incredibly helpful with that - talking me through it, giving me printouts etc. I live in a different town now and I haven't talked much with the installer here. I plan to, but thought you might be able to help.

Anyway the project is to take the 2-way astrostart (unsure of model since I haven't poked my head under there yet) off the suburban and put it on the minivan.

Question 1 - anything particularly huge that I need to know in order to remove it from the 'burbon? Is it just a simple removal with some splicing back together wires that were cut to install? (passlock bypass is the only thing cut I imagine?)  If it's simple to pull off and I can get it done in the next couple of days then I can take my time with the new car (as long as it's done before winter my wife will be happy!)

Question 2 - I did some digging on this site and it looks like the mini-van install is somewhat involved. Is it something a DIYer can do and is there a way for me to get all the instructions and tech documents I would need? (I see some references to directfax docs and I understand you need a customer ID to get those) Obviously getting the right info without paying is the idea here...I'm doing the vehicle swap to save money and buying a new remote start hurts the savings...sorry for being cheap, sign of the times I guess!

A few things I don't know - will the remote start unit even "fit" the new car. I assume so but that might be me oversimplifying. (gas engine auto trans to gas engine auto trans).  I'll have to answer that once I get the model number I guess.

I wouldn't need the passlock module on the suburban, but I understand I would need a transponder bypass module for the town & country? I assume these are brand specific and I would need the proper one from astroflex for my remote starter model? The one I browsed to was a cut off key in a box type...is this the best way to go? (or maybe the only way to go?)

I think I would like to operate the minivan with only a single fob...so I'd like to have the remote start fob do the power sliding doors and liftgate - is this possible? Not worth the effort?

Is there a kit or anything that would give me everything I need for an install (relays, resistors, diodes etc)... or is it just normal radioshack stuff once you have the remote starter and bypass module?

I guess this van has knee airbags - is this a concern for the untrained during an install on this minivan? I have set a few airbanks off (used to do GM parts and we'd send back bad ones from the bodyshop etc. and had to pop them first) so I know I don't want to toy with blowing one up in my face!

I've only got a couple days to make a decision (before I hand over the suburban to the dealer) so speedy replies are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

found a couple 'install guides' for astroflex models in the downloads section...anxious to get my model # info now

wow lots of questions. i will do my best to answer them

Question 1 - its a simple removal. If you purchase a data bypass kit (recomended) you will never run into issues with your car not starting because old methods such as relays and resistors dont work too well.

Question 2 - any car can be a DIY if you have enough info.also it depends on your ability and knowlege of electrical systems; you dont need to know much, but little will go a long way. Check out the https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/vehicles.html section for your car and make. THe wiring is same as directfax. just directfax has images to guide you, but unless your a dealer, you wont have access to that stuff.

any remote start will wonk on any car if its auto. There are units designed specifically for manual tranny, but this is not your case. So virtually ANY unit will work on any car. It just depends on the immobilizer system it may have. heres a good read about immobilizer systems made by chriswallace. https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp~TID~100917~PN~1

the van does use a RF transponder system. There are many bypass modules out there and you dont need a SPECIFIC BRAND for it to work with your astro unit. you can pick from the following companies.

Omega (trixlogic), Fortin, Bypasskits, iDataLink. any of those will work. checking on their websites will show what is best for your install.

www.bypasskits.com

put in your info about your make and model and differant kits will pop up.

this is totally possible (hoping that the unit has many aux channels) you can do anything as long as the unit has the supported aux and wire location/colour. you will end up buying a few relays unless you

there are some bypass kits such as idatalink that will do doorlocks (resistor), MUX wire (muliplex system), sliding power doors, liftgate, door/hatch triggers, and Factory alarm arm and disarm through the DATA wire. kits like these cost more but they get the job done quicker.

not sure about the airbag issue, maybe some1 can shed more light on this.

any astro units are solid units. if you ever run into problems, KarTuneMan is the man to ask questions. He deals mostly with astro units.

hope i helped.

thanks- that does help! (I know the number of questions got away from me - happens sometimes!)  I think it's a 4204 looking at the remotes on a website, but I'll get the model info.

Thanks for the word on a simple removal - I thought it should be straightforward. One question though - Is the "data bypass kit" comment meant to be addressed towards my removal question or does that apply to the install on the minivan? (I suspect it is on the install, just making sure). I think on the removal I'm only 'harvesting' four components - the remote start unit itself, the passlock bypass module, the antenna, and the hood switch - do I have that right? There's nothing else to resurrecting the passlock functions other than reconnecting a cut wire or two?

I looked at the vehicles page for electrical info - only found an 05 t&c and it shows 'stereo' and 'alarm' links (but the alarm link actually starts with a post for a 2004). Can anyone verify that this really is 05 info and that it would work for me on this 06?

I did read that immobilizer page - great info...unfortunately it is sounding to me like the keys for this van (we're waiting for it to be brought up from the dealer's sister store) are the expensive kind with all the fob buttons integrated with the key....so I think need to stay away from the universal bypass and stick with a no extra key required type. Also cold is a major issue here - see colder than - 50*F (yes minus 50*) so I need one unaffected by cold.  I did go the first link you suggested and after putting in make and model and year I got a fairly long list that I didn't have much luck sifting through to find the "right" unit. I will go check the other links you provided.

I am comfortable with my electrical skills (and direction following skills!)...just not my vehicle or system specific knowledge. I had a lot of info when I did my old silverado since I worked at a GM dealer at the time.

Well I got it out! It was a piece of cake once I got through the first five minutes...you installers bury and hide those puppies well!

I looked on the back and it's got a model number QS-2W on it - is this even an astrostart? (the remote is). Oh and it has another module/box unit that I don't know what it is! It's connected to P16 OEM Alarm Control - is this something I need on the town and country?

Of course it has a passlock module (III) that I don't need right? It would be great if it were something that might be of use at the local installer (maybe in trade for some install guides/photos/wiring info etc?!?!?)

I guess now I'd like some advice on which bypass module to pick up for it? I think I do want one that will do it all (power sliding door, liftgate, power locks, anything else like rear defrost? it doesn't have memory or heated seats so nothing there) I'm interested in professional opinions here - what do you folks recommended? I found this unit "PATS-Chrysler-04+" and it looks to be full featured as does the ADS-DLSL CH3.  (found on the IFAR and Idatalink sites respectively). Or should I just find the astro start unit?

It would be a huge help if I can get the install manual for the remote start so I can figure out what programming settings I need and how to make them. Actually I don't see how I can go on without it!  Like I said I'm going to try and visit my local installer and see if they can print me some stuff, but I'm not sure how much help they'll give me. I've bought two remote starts from them but I've never gone in with a DIY question I just don't know their attitude...some installers are a little less than accomodating on that. (which I can understand to some degree - getting boneheads out there mucking things up and associating your good name with it!)

I'd still love to hear specifics on how to install on this town and country. Wiring info for the van is still a little sketchy - the vehicle section of this site has an 05 town & country - like I said that post actually says 04...but the link says 05. Then there is an 06 caravan - I assume this should match the town & country, but I'm not sure...stranger things have been done by dealers! 

Never owned a dodge product so I'm not familiar with the odd things this manufacturer may do...

That knee bolster airbag has me concerned as well (respect the big boom!) any info on that would be great. Also anything lovey with dodge products on disconnect the battery? Just pull the negative terminal off and no worries? Won't wipe programming on the fob's or anything strange?

Thanks Mike - so I'm clear, do you unplug the airbag with the battery connected or disconnected? How about plugging it back in after install? What about testing while the airbag is out, any issues with turning the ignition on while the airbag is disconnected?

I did some searches on "knee airbag" on this site and the opinions are split close to 50/50 - half saying it's unsafe to even fart in their general direction and the other half saying just unbolt them and lay them dwon or disconnect them and lay them down.

Thanks tedmond - guess I could have just said "hold my beer and watch this!"...and pulled it off and waited for the boom, but I'd rather do it the right way. Thanks for the advice.

Sounds like after some searching the BCM is the place to make most connections on this van. Is that in the left kick behind the airbag?

Any other tips on this rig?

I'm still searching for three things if anyone can help.

1) install manual for astrostart 4204 (the sticker says QS-2W is this a 4204?) at a minimum the programming levels and procedures

2) wiring diagram for an 06 t&c or can anyone confirm that the 06 caravan on the vehicles section of this site is the same for the chrysler version?

3) I can pick a bypass module, but would sure appreciate some suggestions from those of you that put these in and troubleshoot them when something goes goofy.

Thanks for all the help!