Hey guys, I just wanted to get the pro's opinions on the upcoming season about Push To Start (PTS) cars.
FlashLogic has come out with a ton of new firmwares over the past year or so, and 90% of them are data solutions. Requiring no key fob to be buried. I was wondering what your solutions have been on PTS cars that do require burying a key fob. I have not attempted this myself but, I always assumed it was a bad idea to have the fob inside the car as it is a proximity system rather than a key in tumbler system (with limited RF reception).
Do you guys have a special box that is shielded? Would wrapping the key in aluminum foil (with wires wrapped and coming out of the foil passing through a relay) work? It seems like the proximity signal would leak out through the wires and still make it easy to open the door and steal the car.
For now I have been turning away all PTS, but after reviewing these new firmware guides, as long as it has a data solution available it really isnt much more work than a standard key, and actually it is almost exactly like the hybrid versions of most cars.
The last thing I want is a customer to have his/her car stolen because I didn't do my job correctly. I know I know, if someone wants your car they will take it, but I would prefer not to make that task easier for the crooks.
Any input is appreciated!
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To master and control electricity is perfection. *evil laugh*
I can only say from what I've worked on but I've done a ton of the Lincolns Burying fobs but I either use a DEI 1101t or the ford version and what happens is the module replaces the fobs battery and only supplies power to the fob right before start up and shuts the power down 10 seconds after the car its running
I do alot of kias using idatalink modules they replace the need to bury a fob on those and work very well
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If i Can't Install it I Don't need it Joe
Yeah I have done a kia suv, a mazda 3 PTS, and yesterday a 2011 toyota rav4 PTS. The mazda was surprisingly similar to the standard key minus the large wire ignition bundle in the column. The toyota took an hour, and was one of the easiest installs of any kind I have ever done. Things were a little spread out, front and back of fusebox and push button under the radio, but I can't complain. Only thing I didn't like was the a/vox status wire stays active for 5 seconds after shut down so when the door was opened it stayed running for 5 seconds. Nothing a relay can't fix but annoying to have to go back in and fix it. Until they come up with a more reliable standardized key in box solution I may have to continue passing on those few cars that require burying the fob.
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To master and control electricity is perfection. *evil laugh*
The new Toyota/Lexus PTS are very easy with Flashlogic. Some are not covered like the new Camry and GX460 so make sure it can be done. The GX460 is covered by Fortin tho. The new Nissan firmware is much easier than it used to be also. I do a few Sonatas also, a little bit of a pain but not bad. We never bury remote, but understand the way they work. Once you remove the battery from the remote it stops it from working unless it is near the PTS button(Toyota) or in the cradle(Nissan, Kia). Because of this you can use a key coffin to transfer the signal to the needed location, so the car won't see the key unless the RS is activated.
On the RAV, you can unplug the harnesses on the back of the fuse box and pull them down far enough to get them. It saves a little time compared to pulling the box itself down.
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Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services
Yeah thats exactly what I did on the Rav4. I didnt even take the main plastic off the dash, just the cover in front of the fuse box, the one under the column, and the radio. Very easy. Good to hear on the other 'Yota's as we just landed a dealer who was very impressed that we could both do the car to begin with and get it back the same day. Guessing someone else dropped the ball there. Then again we know how dealers work. No second chances.
The nissans that required the stater modification I had done 2 altima's and both ended up having a starter grinding issue only with remote start. Never figured it out so we ended up refunding them both. I was VERY glad to see they eliminated that modification. I said all along that the modification was because they hadn"t figured out something inside the car. Looks like I was right.
Seems as if dei or someone could make a kit for PTS key fobs that would both house and shield the fob, as well as come with power adapters in the form of the different watch battery sizes and voltages to control the fob as intended. Then use an interface where applicable for the data door locks/tach/alarm controls. I dont see how they can't make such a device with everyone flocking to these systems.
I personally do not like the idea. I want a key. Keys keep honest people honest. 
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To master and control electricity is perfection. *evil laugh*