MOPAR Remote Start Help

[kevbo]

I have a 2005 Jeep Liberty That I installed a Mopar Remote Start module / installation kit into.
I followed all the instructions. I'm at the point in the programming process where you insert your key, take it out, insert 2nd key, take it out, press program button, then press the remote start button. Jeep basically honks back at me twice which according to the manual, indicates a safety feature issue (brake switch or hood switch) and does not turn over.

I assume the brake switch wiring is working ok because the programming portion which required a brake pedal press/release went through successfully.

I suspect the hood switch because for starters, the switch I got did not match the image/description that was in the Rev. B installation manual. The manual shows the cylinder portion of the switch mounted such that the wire comes out the 'top' of the switch, with the mounting screw plate on the right side and the 2 mounting screw holes at the bottom. The switch I have, to match the wire coming out of the top directions, my switch is reversed from the photo they show and would not allow proper closure of the hood (the switch would hit the vent area as the hood closes.)
Also, in the image, a ground was clearly defined by a round ring connector wire. My switch only had 2 black wires, neither of which had a ring connector. Being that this is a switch on a DC system, is it safe to assume that it won't matter which wire is the ground?

Can anyone offer an insight as to what their hood switch looks like as compared to the Rev B manual? (found here: http://site.justforjeeps.com/guide/82208998.pdf )

If I disconnect the switch altogether, should the system ignore it and start properly? (as a means of trouble shooting / removing that switch from the equation?)

Thanks for any help from those familiar with this system.

 

[Prospect62]

How much did that MOPAR kit run ya?

 

[Atrus]

Too much $$, get a DEI installed and call it a day


To answer your question, I am not familiar with the MOPAR unit...but for the others I have seen, yes, you can just leave the hood switch off. If that wire sees ground then the starter will not work. So, just make it so the wire never sees ground

 

[kevbo]

How much did that MOPAR kit run ya?

I got if for a little over 300 online.

 

[Prospect62]

Thank you.

 

[ShafferNY]

I know the aftermarket remote starters made by Deisign Tech, and now DEI, require you to 'initialize' them with the hood open(hood pin switch grounded). Once the remote starter module is initialized the vehicle won't start when the hood is opened.

All the hood pin switch does is place that wire to ground when the hood is open. It looks to me like an mercury switch. When the switch hits a certain angle the mercury rolls to one side completing the circuit.

If you test for continuity accross the switch and flip it end for end, you'll be able to see how it needs to be mounted. Mercury outboards used to use them for kill switches on their old outboards. Once the motor was tilted up the engine would kill the ignition circuit.

I would say your best bet at this point is to leave that switch out of the equasion until you know your remote start is operational. Once you get that squared away then work with the switch.

 

[Atrus]

I never had to initialize one.

Agree on the mercury switch comments - remove it and then when it's working reinstall it. FWIW, I like the mercury switches the best. The cheap pin switches can corrode and there's no guarantee that it'll ground when it needs to.

 

[ShafferNY]

Just curious.

Does you Libby have the Sentry anti-theft system?

 

[Marlon_JB2]

It's a 2005. It has it. 2005 was the year that it became standard.

 

[kevbo]

Yes - it has it

It has it and the Remote Starter Kit I have uses your existing keys (have to have 2 keys to program it) to program the module for the Sentry Key.

I haven't had a chance to see if the hood switch is the culprit yet. The kit has a tech support number but it says dealer support so I'm not sure if I call it they'll offer me help as an end-user / DIY installer.

 

[kevbo]

Updated

So I broke down and called the number in the manual which lists technical support for dealers only. It routes to Audiovox which I guess supports Mopar / Chrysler?

Anyway, they didn't ask if I was a dealer and I just went into the issue and how my hood switch didn't match the photo. Evidently the switch I received was for a different version of the remote start and as such, I needed an additional wiring direction not in the Rev B manual. They faxed it over to me and it also talked about the use of the additional mystery wiring harness I received which up to now, was not needed and I assumed was for something else

Anyway, I have not yet given it a try but hopefully lesson learned for anyone else - if your hood switch does not match the one in the diagram you receive with your kit, be sure to call tech support to get the additional page faxed over to you.

 

[kevbo]

Remote Start Finally Works

So I cracked out the soldering iron for one more go at the MOPAR KJ remote start this weeked. Armed with the newly faxed over directions and having gone over everything about 10 times prior trying to troubleshoot the thing, it was a fairly easy 'fix'. The hood switch for the kit I have is not supposed to be grounded (like the Rev B instructions say to do) but rather has both leads attached back to the wiring harness / module. A 3rd wire gets soldered to a battery lead on the wiring harness and from there, it worked just fine.
So if anyone else runs into the issue where your hoodswitch installation is a 'mirror image' of what is shown in the manual (bracket location, wire exit location, etc) save yourself the headache and call the tech support number on the manual to get the correct page sent to you so that it functions correctly.

 

[ShafferNY]

Glad to hear you got it all straightened out.