I bought one of these newfangled contraptions for the remote start I'm putting into my mom's '08 Civic this weekend.

Do I really need to reflash the unit with the PKH4 firmware? Or will it work just fine out of the box? I have no interest in buying the USB adapter to flash it myself, and the one DEI retailer close by is bound to be unwilling to do it for me.

Thoughts?

 

yes you do it needs to be flashed with the current software profile the the car. They make the install a breeze.
Now if you had the PKALL interface you could just wire it up per instructions (the last revision addressed issues with toyota
cars.

As DES and FCM can attest to- MOBILE ELECTRONICS is no longer a DIY-ers plkayground. With Databus systems and
low current circuitry becoming the norm- its best left to the professionals (or invest in tools you may only use 1 time).

 

I was just on their website as you were posting...

It says: Every XPRESSKIT is shipped preloaded with default firmware that provides the most comprehensive combination of valued features, functions and vehicle coverage. For this reason even if you do not have a computer you can still benefit from the best technology has to offer, right out of the box.

I guess I'll just have to try it & see what happens. Install is Sunday. I'll post back with the results.

 

Umm what is marked on the casing? The unit is PRIMARILY designed for Ford mazda
and toyota cars- out of the box. It will need to be flashed for your honda application (plus the update addressees an issue with the violet/white data wire)

Hey you asked for experienced info - your getting it (not getting panties in a bunch)- I work with the DEI/Fortin product all day long. Find a local dealer
(BEST BUY) and have them flash it for you (also ask for the version instructions) should be $20 for the service.

 

Not too sure what's on the box/casing. I looked at it, and put it away for Sunday.

I hear what you're saying, and I don't doubt it, but what's on DEI's website is a tad misleading, which is why I said I'd try it and see what happened.

 

Its a 50/50 shot if its has your honda model all ready programmed. Some do some don't. Willing to bet it needs to be flashed. Your best bet so you dont have to pay a dealer to flash it is to get the pkall. No worries about anything and its ready to go right out of the box. Also forget about the d2d. Its a headach sometimes to use and it forgets the programming. HAd a couple of issues with it.

 

You guys were right.

The XK05 didn't work when I installed it yesterday.

I took it to the DEI dealer today, who flashed it for me for free.

I put it in, and it learned in about a half second, and worked like a charm with the remote start.

I did run into a problem though... When the remote start is engaged & the car is running, the factory keyless doesn't work. So right now, my mom has to remote start, then turn it off via the remote in order to get in if the doors were locked prior to remote start.

Any ideas what would cause that? I know that the factory keyless won't work if the key is in the ignition, but I didn't connect anything to the keysense wire when I installed the remote starter.

Would not hooking up factory disarm/re-arm be the culprit? In the past, on whatever cars needed it, it would just blow the horn on remote start, but this car doesn't do that. It remote starts & runs just fine when the doors are locked via the factory remote.

I'm stumped. I mean, it's not a HUGE issue, but it's certainly an inconvenience. Ideas?

 

I see you edited your post after I read it.

I'm far from a DIY'er. I've installed many a remote start, and was MECP certified at one point - I let my membership lapse because I'm no longer "in the game", and have moved on from the position that required certification. Although I no longer install (car audio/security that is - I work on police/fire/EMS vehichles now), I fully understand the new systems.

I haven't posted in this section in quite some time, because quite frankly, I was tired of answering the same questions over & over. But I was very active in A/V/S for several years. Both Des & FCM can attest that I'm no noob.

 

I talked to a dei tech and you might have to disarm the factory alarm during remote start. O just use a relay to control the unlock motors. If you need a tech sheet let me know.

 

Thanks Des. I found the factory disarm wire when I was doing the install, but didn't think I needed it because the horn didn't blow when I remote started during the first tests.

I'll hook it up & post back tonight.

Thanks again.

 

So apparently, I made two minor mistakes. I'm a little rusty, what can I say. It's been probably 3 years since I've done a remote start.

The first was not reading enough before the install, and I didn't learn that on the 8th gen Civics (and maybe other Hondas), the factory keyless doesn't work when the engine is running.

Second mistake was testing the system too soon after locking the doors with the factory remote. After it locks, it "arms" about 10-20 seconds later. I did my first tests as soon as I locked the doors, so I thought I didn't need to have the factory disarmed hooked up.

So tonight, I got back under the dash, and connected the factory disarm & rearm wires, as well as wired up the power locks to the remote start. I didn't initially do locks because the lock/unlock buttons were built into the key. Never mind the fact that I wanted less buttons for my mom to press since she's not exactly "technologically inclined".

So now, everything works like it should, and she's happy, which in the end, is all that matters.