Hi there

How hard is it to install a remote starter in an 03 Mini Cooper? I have a base model, 5 speed, and I'd like to install one before winter. I"ve done about 10 installs myself, but I can't seem to find any info on doing one of these. Can anyone help?

Jaxon

 

Ummm...I was listening to a car radio show about this a couple weeks ago. Basically, what they said, is it is physically impossible to install a remote starter into a standard transmission car because the clutch has to be depressed to start the car.

 

thats not entirely true, on the theory you are absolutely right. but in reality, there is some sort of by-pass that enables the engine to start without physically depress the clutch.

back on the questions, sorry, can't really help on the topic~~

 

No reputable place will install a remote starter on a manual transmission. Further, you would have to bypass the immobilizer built into the key. I doubt that is going to happen. How?

 

It is possible, you need to use the plastic emergency key that comes in your manual package, you hide that key inside a unit that is then hidden in the dash. On remote start, a trigger is sent to the box and the keys value is sent to the ring of the ignition switch. These are very safe when installed by a professional.

Pressing the clutch down in the car engages a switch which engages a relay which engages the starter. If your remote start were to emulate this switch, while starting, which most have plenty of outputs available to do such a thing, the car would think the clutch was engaged in an electrical sense. In a physical sense, the clutch is still released. Meaning if you start the car and the car is in gear. There is a good likelyness your car will move. Remember, our cars are front wheel drive. Our emergency brakes are tied to the rear wheels. If you try and start your car in gear, with the clutch released. YOUR CAR WILL MOVE. the emergency brake is not strong enough to hold the car in this situation. TRUST ME.

There are remote starts available for manual equipped cars. They work like so:

when you get somewhere in your car, you stop apply the emergency brake, put the car in neutral, take the keys out and get out of the car. Your car is still running, the keys are in your hand. When the last door closes, the motor shuts off. The idea behind this, if you can get out of your car and close the door with the car still running. It should be safe to start it from the remote.

I have a pretty deep understanding of remote starts and alarms in general. I'm happy to answer any questions.


One easy way to solve this. In some manual cars, for example the Subaru WRX, there is a neutral safety switch. This would require some wire in the car to be active only when the car is in neutral. All automatics have it to kepp you from starting the car in drive or reverse, but only some manual have it. If the mini has such a switch, I am not aware of it. But if it does, you could connect the alarm to this wire, and then it could only start in neutral.


If that made any sense, I apologize.

Paul

 

Thanks Paul

I am familiar with the joys of having a remote start on a manual - I've had a few manual tranny cars with one. I just wasn't sure about the security system and what not. I think I may just let a professional do this for me.

Thanks.

 

What Paul wrote is accurate. I've had some experience with the Compustar alarms, though not on a mini yet. They work as Paul described with a transponder to send a signal to the steering column and a process to make sure the manual tranny is in neutral.

 

I have asked this question before, Unable to find out what brand to go with.
there are alot of unknown variables, like the transponder and if it will be compatible with the Coopers electonics. I for one would love to have an Auto start but I do not want to be the test subject and have everthing go to crap if it doesn't work. and have to pay out of my Pocket to set it right.