Just bought a 2004 5-spd CRV a couple of months ago.

I've noticed it's a little sluggish unless I give it a good warm-up before I go on the road and with the freezing temps we've had lately, that's been even more critical (and time consuming).

I've no experience with remote starters - can such a thing even be installed on a 5-spd? And what would something like that end up costing? Any drawbacks?

Thanks in advance for any advice / leads.

Rie

 

Remote start on a manual transmission. Nice to have, no doubt. But you will not find a shop who will do it for you for insurance and legal reasons. You could do it yourself and just bypass the clutch starter interrupt switch. But remember, if you attempt to start it and you did not leave the vehicle in neutral before you left, could be a very interresting sight watching your CRV start driving away with no one in it.

 

Hi fastball,

Thanks for the reply.

Why would it be a problem with insurance or legal issues? My sister in law has it on her car ... though that's automatic transmission. Is it just a problem for standard transmissions? If so, do you know why?

As I said, I don't know much about remote start - other than it's COLD out and it'd sweet to have. LOL

I'm not a car expert, more of a casual enthusiast and what little I know was learned from my dad despite mom's objections ("girls aren't supposed to work on cars" and all that drivel) so I sincerely appreciate your input.

Thank again and I look forward to hearing from you.

Rie

 

Well, to put it simply, when you park your truck in gear, the clutch is engaged and thus the whole drive train is together, as if you were doing 65 mph on the freeway. So, when you start your truck you have to push the clutch down to do that, right? Try starting your CRV with out pushing the clutch all the way...... nothing happens. The reason is to make sure the cluch is dissengaged when you turn the engine over. That's a safety feature, and one that has been required on all manual trans. for at least 30 years. A remote start does the same thing as your key: it turns the engine over untill it runs on it's own. In order for that to happen, you either have to have the clutch pushed in (you won't be in the car for that to happen) or the safety switch bypassed. Like I said, you can bypass the switch, but if you park your CRV in gear, as the engine turns over when you hit the remote start, the truck will move as all the gears are engaged. Sorry this ran long, any more questions feel free to ask.

 

Hi fastball,

Thank you. Well, that's a bummer.

If someone ever finds a way to make a safe remote starter for a standard trans they'll make a mint ... and I'll be first in line for one.

Rie

 

I used to work with someone who had an early '90s Ford Taurus SHO which had a five speed, and he installed a remote start on it. After work when the parking lot was empty, we used to go out to watch him trigger the starter while it was in gear. Kinda funny watching a car move by itself!

 

I spent quite a time in pro audio, did many starters. The 2 manual cars that I came accross that had remote starters were both Honda's. Both were owned by installers. I personally saw both start in gear(accidentally), both stayed running until turned off, and one slammed into the bench. The fellow installer that was working on said bench was very relieved to find out he wasnt in the path. After he realized he was alive, he made the owner/installer of said auto-weapon wish he wasn't alive. After the owner/installer gathered his teeth from the bay floor, he was fired by the company.

I heard there was a "clutch kit" for remote starters. Not sure what that means, but unless your car has some electronic way of knowing whether its in gear, I dont know how it would be safe. I'll check on that kit for you.

Spy

 

My dad has a 03 CR-V. With a 5 sp. We have a remote start on his car and it works great. When they install the system there is a clutch bypass that is installed. The car has to remian in netural with the e-brake on in order for the remote start to function properly. I also will be putting one on my 95 accord when I do the engine and tranny swap. The shop that I go to here does them on standerds all the time and never have had a problem with them. Just make sure you get a good shop and good brand of starter/alarm systems and you should be fine.

 

The e-brake part makes sense, as you can easily install a switch or run a trigger line from the brake switch to interrupt the remote start if the brake is not engaged. But how do you electronically tell the system that the transmission is in neutral? Everything between the shift lever that's in your hand to the drive shafts are strictly mechanical. The only gear that's feasable is reverse, since there is a reverse lamp switch on the transmission. I guess what I'm asking is what happens if you put the brake on, but leave it in 1st gear?

 

Do you think your 'shop' would tell you if they ever had a problem with them? Obviously, all they care about is cash. Your clutch bypass is a hack. It allows the car to be started without the clutch in. I hope for all parties involved that there isn't accident. Your Dad and your shop will be looking at major law suits and possible criminal charges. I hope no one gets hurt. If your shops' insurance carrier(if they have one) knew about these installs, they'd lose their policy. Enjoy your warm car.

Spy