2008 cobalt viper 5501 and xk09

Thanks to all who frequent this forum. After a few days of reading posts and documents here I feel I can complete this remote start install but want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I'm stuck needing something on a Sunday afternoon in my garage. Anyway, on to the post... Car: 2008 Chevy Cobalt LT Auto - It has a + on the Key, Heated seats and Pioneer factory sound system (in case the last two have any bearing on anything) 1) Do I have everything I need for this install with just the 5501 and the Xpresskit XK09? Will I need anything else? (resistors, diodes or relays) I'm planning on a D2D install if possible. 2) The XK09 says it comes pre-loaded with GM software. Will I be ok without having it reflashed? 3) I've read a few things on XK09 battery drain is this a big issue I should be worried about? 4) Bitwriter this and bitwriter that, is this just a tool that allows you to set options of the unit faster than having to enter programming mode? 5) Any other Gotcha's that I should keep an eye out for? 6) Would anyone be interested in pictures or any other info on this install while everything is apart? (my way of trying to give back to this place) If you made it through all that, Thanks!

Sorry, I forgot to say I do know I need a relay to wire up the XK09.

I dont think the XK09 does the immobilizer on the cobalt...

ziggyb222 wrote: I dont think the XK09 does the immobilizer on the cobalt...

Crap. Can anyone else confirm this? I was under the impression that the XK09 would take care of everything. Could someone recommend a better unit to interface with the 2008 Cobalt and Viper 5501 if this is true? Please? :)

From this it looks as though as long as the XK09's firmware is the DLPKGM 2.06 it does "provide a GM immobilizer data override and door lock, alarm and trunk control interface" http://www.xpresskit.com/DocumentDownload.aspx?documentid=6590&productid=447&firmwareid=2216 So I may just have to make sure my XK09 has the correct firmware. It sounds as if it should come with this firmware already loaded but then again if the unit I bought has been sitting on the shelf for a while it may have an older version?

Well if anyone cares I ended up putting it in yesterday and instead of using the XK09 I used the idatalink ADS-AL CA. I talked to a guy at the local install place and he recommended it over the XK09 as they seem to have some issues with them. So I bought one and put it in yesterday and the D2D seems to work perfectly so far. It does what it says it'll do with no problems.