is a remote starter bad for the starter?

I've heard both sides of the stories on this issue. I just want a definite answer. I just installed the viper 790xv on my car. Maybe it's because i'm paranoid but it's make a weird noise when i start the car with my keys. I've only had it for a couple of days so far. Can remote starting the car harm the starter/any part of the car in anyway and can a bad install (which i don't know how it can be bad) eventually harm the car? Thanks!

The only way a remote start can damage the starter is if it overcranks and grinds it. Other than that it's basically doing the same thing you do when you start the car with the key.
There are 2 situations when this grinding could happen - if you were to remote start the car and then get in and turn the key all the way to crank instead of run, and if the remote start cranks the car too long. For the first situation, the 790 has a built-in feature called anti-grind. For the second, it's not usually a problem unless the crank time is set way too high.

if you install the remote starter and use a tach wire you can fix problem 2.  crank time applies only to voltage sense which will crank the vehicle a set number of seconds no matter what.  with a tach wire, it will only crank until it sees the engine at the programmed idel rpms.  so if its cold out itll crank until the car starts where voltage sense 1.5 seconds might not be long enough.  and vice versa, if you program it longer for the winter and dont need the extra crank time in the summer, youll be over cranking the car when its not needed.  the tach input will get it right.

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MECP certified installer

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