Aftermarket Remote Starter to bypass factory remote start

[MegaCabn]

Short Story: 2024 2500 6.7 Laramie with OEM remote start/keyless entry - I'm looking to add an aftermarket system to override the OEM system. My reason is that I'm wanting my HVAC controls to come on to the last setting and that feature does not work with the diesel models. Has anyone installed an aftermarket remote stater, such as the 12v Solution, Viper, etc. and overridden the OEM remote starter? If so, does the keyless entry system and automatic high idle still work?

Long story: The current remote start system works fine and does what it's supposed to do. My personal issue is that the climate control temperature thresholds are too low for my liking when remote starting in the colder temps. If I remember correctly, when equipped with AUTO Climate Control, the trucks threshold is below 40° for heater to kick on and above 75° for the AC (AC threshold temp is not an issue for me) to kick on during remote start. I want the heat to come on below say 50° or whatever I want it to be, or set it at. I thought the solution was the "Last Setting" feature... but that doesn't work for me.

According to the owner's manual, the last setting only works for gas vehicles. The Last Setting feature is not shown to work for the diesel trucks during remote start. Also, there is no feature, that I'm aware of, with AlphaOBD that can change the AC temp thresholds. My thinking is that an aftermarket remote starter will start the truck completely and recall the last settings used and I'd be good to go. Remote starting with the factory system puts it in this limbo mode where the truck runs but doesn't fully wake up until you enter and push the start button, if that makes sense. I've had Vipers in the past, and they do exactly what I'm looking for, but those were not on vehicles as packed with tech as these new trucks are.

I'm probably digging too deep here and asking for something unrealistic or not possible. I just want my heater to come on the chilly mornings... above 40°.

 

[jkempken]

are you talking about the Seat and steering wheel heaters or the cabin heater? The cabin heater will not start to really work and pump out hot air until the coolant gets to around 115-120f. Most Lilley what you are seeing is the coolant is not up to temperature so it will not be pumping out a ton of cabin heat until you get up to temp. If you have the setting enabled the seat heater and steering wheel heater will turn on when air temp is 39 degrees f or lower.

 

[MegaCabn]

are you talking about the Seat and steering wheel heaters or the cabin heater? The cabin heater will not start to really work and pump out hot air until the coolant gets to around 115-120f. Most Lilley what you are seeing is the coolant is not up to temperature so it will not be pumping out a ton of cabin heat until you get up to temp. If you have the setting enabled the seat heater and steering wheel heater will turn on when air temp is 39 degrees f or lower.

Cabin heater. The cabin heater will come on during remote start if the temp is below 40°. It did this the other day - temp was 38° and when I got in the truck, after remote starting it and letting it run for a few minutes, High idle was engaged, the heater was on and blowing hot air and full blast, and seats/steering wheel heat were on. The other days above 40°, the heater and seats/wheel are not on.

 

[sstoner911]

According to the owner's manual, the last setting only works for gas vehicles. The Last Setting feature is not shown to work for the diesel trucks during remote start.

Where in the manual is this? I see nothing that states its for GAS trucks only.
From my manual:

Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If Equipped
The climate controls will automatically adjust to the
optimal temperature and mode settings depending on
the outside ambient temperature. This will occur until
the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN position where the
climate controls will resume their previous settings.


Manual Temperature Control (MTC) — If Equipped
● In ambient temperatures of 40°F (4.5°C) or below,
the climate settings will default to maximum heat,
with fresh air entering the cabin. If the front defrost
timer expires, the vehicle will enter Mix mode.
●
In ambient temperatures from 40°F (4.5°C) to 78°F
(26°C), the climate settings will be based on the last
settings selected by the driver.
● In ambient temperatures of 78°F (26°C) or above,
the climate settings will default to MAX A/C, Bi-Level
mode, with Recirculation on.
For more information on ATC, MTC, and climate control
settings, see ð page 55.
NOTE:
These features will stay on through the duration of
Remote Start, or until the ignition is placed in the
ON/RUN position. The climate control settings will
change, and exit the automatic defaults, if manually
adjusted by the driver while the vehicle is in Remote
Start mode. This includes turning the climate controls
off using the OFF button.
REMOTE START WINDSHIELD WIPER DE-ICER
ACTIVATION — IF EQUIPPED
When Remote Start is active and the outside ambient
temperature is less than 33°F (0.6°C), the Windshield
Wiper De-Icer will activate. Exiting Remote Start will
resume its previous operation. If the Windshield Wiper
De-Icer was active, the timer and operation will
continue.

 

[sstoner911]

 

[sstoner911]

 

[MegaCabn]

Where in the manual is this? I see nothing that states its for GAS trucks only.
From my manual:

Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If Equipped
The climate controls will automatically adjust to the
optimal temperature and mode settings depending on
the outside ambient temperature. This will occur until
the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN position where the
climate controls will resume their previous settings.


Manual Temperature Control (MTC) — If Equipped
● In ambient temperatures of 40°F (4.5°C) or below,
the climate settings will default to maximum heat,
with fresh air entering the cabin. If the front defrost
timer expires, the vehicle will enter Mix mode.
●
In ambient temperatures from 40°F (4.5°C) to 78°F
(26°C), the climate settings will be based on the last
settings selected by the driver.
● In ambient temperatures of 78°F (26°C) or above,
the climate settings will default to MAX A/C, Bi-Level
mode, with Recirculation on.
For more information on ATC, MTC, and climate control
settings, see ð page 55.
NOTE:
These features will stay on through the duration of
Remote Start, or until the ignition is placed in the
ON/RUN position. The climate control settings will
change, and exit the automatic defaults, if manually
adjusted by the driver while the vehicle is in Remote
Start mode. This includes turning the climate controls
off using the OFF button.
REMOTE START WINDSHIELD WIPER DE-ICER
ACTIVATION — IF EQUIPPED
When Remote Start is active and the outside ambient
temperature is less than 33°F (0.6°C), the Windshield
Wiper De-Icer will activate. Exiting Remote Start will
resume its previous operation. If the Windshield Wiper
De-Icer was active, the timer and operation will
continue.

Kind of hard to show the pages in the manual. But for the diesels, there is no information on how the Comfort System works and kicks on with diesels. Does that mean that Manual Temp Control doesn't work with diesels? No, but Iknow for a fact that mine doesnt default to the last setting.

Also, The heated seats and steering wheel work just fine and those thresholds can be adjusted in Alphaa. But I'm not talking about those, I'm talking about climate control.

 

[sstoner911]

When I remote start it does exactly this:

In ambient temperatures from 40°F (4.5°C) to 78°F
(26°C), the climate settings will be based on the last
settings selected by the driver.
● In ambient temperatures of 78°F (26°C) or above,
the climate settings will default to MAX A/C, Bi-Level
mode, with Recirculation on.

 

[MegaCabn]

When I remote start it does exactly this:

In ambient temperatures from 40°F (4.5°C) to 78°F
(26°C), the climate settings will be based on the last
settings selected by the driver.
● In ambient temperatures of 78°F (26°C) or above,
the climate settings will default to MAX A/C, Bi-Level
mode, with Recirculation on.

Do you have AUTO and dual zone with the 14” screen? Also what year cause I wonder if some setting changed before 24.

Ambient temps 78 and above, my truck doesnt do anything. No climate control blows during remote start, until I get in and push start. Then it will go to last setting, AUTO climate or manual.

 

[AH64ID]

Do you have AUTO and dual zone with the 14” screen? Also what year cause I wonder if some setting changed before 24.

Ambient temps 78 and above, my truck doesnt do anything. No climate control blows during remote start, until I get in and push start. Then it will go to last setting, AUTO climate or manual.

His sig says 2024.

With auto temp controls the actions of the HVAC depend on ambient conditions, but it’s not as cut and dried as the specs posted above.

There will be no HVAC indications with remote start until you turn the ignition on, and at that time it will revert to your last settings. It may look like nothing is happening, but it’s working. I had the same concerns with my 2022, but all was normal.

I’m not sure an aftermarket remote start would do anything different as the truck needs to be in run/on to use the previous settings and that won’t happen without the key fob.

 

[Brutal_HO]

are you talking about the Seat and steering wheel heaters or the cabin heater? The cabin heater will not start to really work and pump out hot air until the coolant gets to around 115-120f. Most Lilley what you are seeing is the coolant is not up to temperature so it will not be pumping out a ton of cabin heat until you get up to temp. If you have the setting enabled the seat heater and steering wheel heater will turn on when air temp is 39 degrees f or lower.

Coolant temp is irrelevant for diesel trucks with supplemental electric cabin heaters...

 

[jkempken]

Coolant temp is irrelevant for diesel trucks with supplemental electric cabin heaters...

I agree it should be, maybe mine doesn't work quite right. In the cold there is some heat that comes out when the coolant is cold but when it gets to around 115F and in auto the fan really cranks the speed up and way more heat comes out.

 

[AH64ID]

I agree it should be, maybe mine doesn't work quite right. In the cold there is some heat that comes out when the coolant is cold but when it gets to around 115F and in auto the fan really cranks the speed up and way more heat comes out.

That is normal operation. The electric elements are just to take the edge off until the coolant starts to heat up, they will not ever output the same heat as the coolant will.

 

[MegaCabn]

His sig says 2024.

With auto temp controls the actions of the HVAC depend on ambient conditions, but it’s not as cut and dried as the specs posted above.

There will be no HVAC indications with remote start until you turn the ignition on, and at that time it will revert to your last settings. It may look like nothing is happening, but it’s working. I had the same concerns with my 2022, but all was normal.

I’m not sure an aftermarket remote start would do anything different as the truck needs to be in run/on to use the previous settings and that won’t happen without the key fob.

I must be having an issue then. I confirmed my issues last weekend... before I shut the truck down, I left the manual AC on. I shut the engine down opened the door, but stayed inside, closed it and locked it from my remote. I sat there for a couple minutes then remote started it while I was inside the truck. The truck fired up and nothing turned on, no heat or ac, no fan blowing, nothing. The truck just started and idled. I sat there for about a minute or so until I unlocked it from the remote and opened the door, closed it, and pushed the ignition. Once I pushed the ignition, the climate control went back to the last setting I had it set at.

The outside temp was just below 70°, so right in between the temps for the "last setting" to kick in. It did not revert to the last setting like the manual and people are saying. It did nothing. My truck has been like this since brand new.

I'm trying to bypass the period between remote starting and getting and physically pushing the start button. Aftermarket remote start systems, from my experience in the past, generally start the vehicle straight into the run position. Same as if I get in and push the start button myself, with everything on and running. If I can achieve that with an aftermarket remote start system, that's what I'm looking for.

 

[sstoner911]

Do you have AUTO and dual zone with the 14” screen? Also what year cause I wonder if some setting changed before 24.

Ambient temps 78 and above, my truck doesnt do anything. No climate control blows during remote start, until I get in and push start. Then it will go to last setting, AUTO climate or manual.

I have a 2024 with AUTO and Dual climate zones. This morning the truck was seeing ambient air temp of 37 degrees and had switched to the front defroster and air from the dash vents and floor vents. Truck was in high Idle when I came out to the truck.

Since it sounds like you have a 2025 or 2026 it may be one of the electrical gremlins for those trucks perhaps. But I don't think mine shows and HVAC activity either(but its working - just no lights etc) until I hit the push to start as others have posted above.

 

[sstoner911]

I must be having an issue then. I confirmed my issues last weekend... before I shut the truck down, I left the manual AC on. I shut the engine down opened the door, but stayed inside, closed it and locked it from my remote. I sat there for a couple minutes then remote started it while I was inside the truck. The truck fired up and nothing turned on, no heat or ac, no fan blowing, nothing. The truck just started and idled. I sat there for about a minute or so until I unlocked it from the remote and opened the door, closed it, and pushed the ignition. Once I pushed the ignition, the climate control went back to the last setting I had it set at.

The outside temp was just below 70°, so right in between the temps for the "last setting" to kick in. It did not revert to the last setting like the manual and people are saying. It did nothing. My truck has been like this since brand new.

I'm trying to bypass the period between remote starting and getting and physically pushing the start button. Aftermarket remote start systems, from my experience in the past, generally start the vehicle straight into the run position. Same as if I get in and push the start button myself, with everything on and running. If I can achieve that with an aftermarket remote start system, that's what I'm looking for.

I had asked a local car audio shop about all the aftermarket radios and remote starts for these trucks - they said depending on the features that the truck has that's controlled by the radio you could lose the function of some things by adding any aftermarket components.

I would ask a local shop what their experiences have been .

 

[MegaCabn]

I have a 2024 with AUTO and Dual climate zones. This morning the truck was seeing ambient air temp of 37 degrees and had switched to the front defroster and air from the dash vents and floor vents. Truck was in high Idle when I came out to the truck.

Since it sounds like you have a 2025 or 2026 it may be one of the electrical gremlins for those trucks perhaps. But I don't think mine shows and HVAC activity either(but its working - just no lights etc) until I hit the push to start as others have posted above.

I have 24 as well. I'll have to call around and see what they have to say.

 

[Belzelbub]

I must be having an issue then. I confirmed my issues last weekend... before I shut the truck down, I left the manual AC on. I shut the engine down opened the door, but stayed inside, closed it and locked it from my remote. I sat there for a couple minutes then remote started it while I was inside the truck. The truck fired up and nothing turned on, no heat or ac, no fan blowing, nothing. The truck just started and idled. I sat there for about a minute or so until I unlocked it from the remote and opened the door, closed it, and pushed the ignition. Once I pushed the ignition, the climate control went back to the last setting I had it set at.

Yeah, sounds like something isn’t working right.

I have a ‘24 Mega cab Laramie with the 6.7 Auto, Dual zone climate controls. 12” display. I normally keep my climate settings on Auto/ Recirc. Whenever I remote start, the blowers are running before I get in and press the start/stop button. Then, the last settings kick in and blower speed often adjusts somewhat.

I’m in FL, so the below 40 thing is rare. Have seen below 50 this year, but not below 40. After a recent cold front, I remote started before leaving my house. When I got to the truck, it was in high idle. Vents were definitely blowing. When I hit the button, it adjusted as normal, though it switched to defrost mode and fresh air mode. Steering wheel and seat heaters also came on. For a bit, it wouldn’t let me change to recirc mode, which makes sense as defrost works better with fresh air. Once I was driving for a bit, I could switch to recirc mode.

Seems like your truck is not doing something right. It shouldn’t necessarily switch directly to last settings while in remote start mode, but doing nothing doesn’t sound right.

 

[HarryN]

I wonder if there is a way to trick the thermometer for winter vs summer use ?

 

[MegaCabn]

I wonder if there is a way to trick the thermometer for winter vs summer use ?

I wondered this too. But I doubt there's a way.