viper smartstart in a 2nd gen mdx

We had the Viper SmartStart system installed in our MDX (5101 remote starter and SmartStart module). After install, power tailgate buttons in the vehicle wouldn't work (factory key fob and phone were fine), installer had us take it to the dealer. A control module was fried. After a week of troubleshooting, waiting for parts, replacement, we've got our vehicle back. The dealer couldn't test the remote start before we picked it up since they didn't have a fob. No fobs came with this unit and I don't think they knew they could have called me at work and had me start it from there via my phone. Anyway, it doesn't start with the remote start anymore. I get a message the command was received at the vehicle, then the lights flash 5 times I think it is, then I get a message on my phone that there was an error with the command at the vehicle. The locks work, the power tailgate works (from vehicle and from phone), the panic works (well it flashes lights, but doesn't honk like they key fob, but that's fine by me). Obviously I'll call the dealer on Friday (holiday here tomorrow) to let them know. But, I'm wondering if there's anything I can check in the meantime? We tried the switch under the dash in case it was off or needed to be toggled to reset something, but we get the same response no matter what position that switch is in. I'd really like solve this ourselves as I fear the dealer is going to say to take it back to the original installer now, who caused the over $1000 bill of repairs and means I have no vehicle for another day, and I'm not confident they won't break something else in the meantime. If anyone can point me in the direction of what to check for, connection not plugged in securely, loose wire, whatever, I'd be eternally grateful. Both of us are competent technically so can follow directions. I'm pretty sure that if I have to take it back to the original installer, we'll just ask them to pull it and refund our money and get it installed elsewhere, but that's yet more time out of our day and more time without our vehicle and it's our only vehicle.

Apparently I can't edit, argh. If more info is needed, just ask. I'm a newbie to this forum so not sure what info is required to aid in troubleshooting.

I looked up the code in the manual. Lights flashing 6 times (not 5) and it means that the hood is open. When it is not. The same thing happens when the hood is open. We don't have a manual hood pin switch, I think it's built into the MDX's computer? Any advice?

What year MDX? And what kind of bypass module was used?

The hood pin switch is a gray wire on the 5101 system. This wire does not need to be hooked up at all. Make sure its not touching ground or anything.

cerulean~blue wrote: The locks work, the power tailgate works (from vehicle and from phone), the panic works (well it flashes lights, but doesn't honk like they key fob, but that's fine by me).

Is there really a panic button on this system? The 5101 is just a remote starter, not an alarm.

godd dan it wrote: What year MDX? And what kind of bypass module was used? The hood pin switch is a gray wire on the 5101 system. This wire does not need to be hooked up at all. Make sure its not touching ground or anything.

'08 (sorry thought saying 2nd generation would be specific enough). The bypass in an iDatalink canbus according to my receipt, do you need more specific info than that?

godd dan it wrote: cerulean~blue wrote: The locks work, the power tailgate works (from vehicle and from phone), the panic works (well it flashes lights, but doesn't honk like they key fob, but that's fine by me). Is there really a panic button on this system? The 5101 is just a remote starter, not an alarm.

There's a factory alarm in the MDX. The current key fob has a panic button on it that sounds the horn (and flashes lights too maybe? Can't recall right now). I assumed the 5101 would tie into that button feature as well since I was under the impression it could do anything the key fob could do? Is that not correct? The lights flash when I hit the panic on the phone app for the SmartStart right now, not sure if they did before we took it in to get our tailgate module replaced. So maybe something is wrong there too? Although I'm fine with the lights flashing as it makes it nice to find the vehicle in a dark, busy parking lot but without the horn blasting away.

godd dan it wrote: What year MDX? And what kind of bypass module was used? The hood pin switch is a gray wire on the 5101 system. This wire does not need to be hooked up at all. Make sure its not touching ground or anything.

A question, if the wire isn't hooked up, how does the vehicle know not to start via remote start when the hood is open? I thought that was safety feature?

Ok I was wrong. The 5101 does have a panic mode. I guess if the installer hooked up the factory horn, then it should work. Horn function says its for both "confirmation honk and panic" according to the manual.

I just installed a Viper 5901 system not long ago. Basically the same system, but with an alarm. Didnt hook up the gray wire at all. It still works. It is a safety feature, but if you dont want to use it.....you dont have to.