My last four JKs had the factory remote start: it is a great feature. I like the convenience of having it integrated into the key, with no need to carry an additional fob.

Yes, they work from an effective range of 100 feet or less. When you are at ground level, sometimes you have to lift the fob high up with your arm to aim well at the Jeep for it to work. When I am on the road, I can start the Jeep from a farther distance through my hotel room window provided I am on a higher floor and have a clear shot of the Jeep.

It is a handy feature in extreme weather: it allows you to warm up the engine and cozy up the interior ahead of time. It only needs 15 mins to hit a comfortable temperature. If your Jeep has auto AC, it will maintain a nice, comfortable temperature. Unfortunately, the seat heaters don’t come on automatically on JKs as they do in newer FCA vehicles; and a steering wheel heater was not offered on JK.

Yes, it works as you describe: you turn on the engine remotely, when you get to the Jeep you unlock the doors —for security, the factory remote start always locks the doors first; you then insert the key, turn it into ON position and you are good to go. The transmission will remain locked until you insert and turn the key. Other features, like radio and navigation, will not work either until the key is inserted.

Note: with the factory system, if the low fuel or check engine lights are on, once remote start turns on the the engine, as a precaution it will shut off the engine automatically after only 15 seconds. It will keep doing this until you put gas or address the CEL. If a door is ajar, remote start will purposely not crank the motor.

Another safety precaution: remote start is not available on vehicles with manual transmission; the transmission has to be properly on “Park” for it to work.

Good luck.

 

I just installed the MPC unit on my 2015. Very easy to do. I think the range is sufficient for what I want it for, which is to allow the car to run for AC for the pup. Also nice to warm it up on cold days. Using the base fob, just press the lock button three times and the doors will lock, car will start. When you want to get in, simply unlock the door, get it, put key in, turn it on. Note, if you press the brake pedal before turn the key, the car will shutdown.

 

Thanks... all my questions answered and couple I hadn't thought of...
I'm going to order one tonight

Last year we moved to TN from IL. Used the remote start on my Sahara a little... so When I bought my Rubicon, I didnt really think not having it would be a big deal. I miss it.

Thanks again for the responses

 

Ordered last night...
Direct from company...
They had a 10% discount, so it ended up $90... with free shipping

 

I've wanted this in my 2017 but I've heard it's a bit more of a pain because of the lower shroud on the steering wheel. Maybe one day I'll be brave an try it.

 

I'll keep you posted...

 

Wow!
took me longer to get up the nerve to follow the directions that stated... "cut this wire if you have a Wrangler," than it did to do the install.

Ok, that is not exactly true, but.... It was easy.
I'm not sure what the big deal is about taking the steering wheel shroud is. 3 screws and a couple of tabs... Came right off.
I did unlock the steering column, but I'm not sure that was really needed.

I did call tech support because I was nervous about cutting the wire (not sure why). 1st thing I was asked, did I down load and print the tech sheet? Honestly, I had not.
I down loaded and read up to the point about cutting the wire. In bold print... stated, cut the wire if for a Wrangler. So, I cut the wire and finished the install.

Temp is supposed to be below 32 tomorrow. I'll be using it in the morning.

I sure didn't think I would miss having a remote start living in TN, but I was wrong.
This set up was so simple and so inexpensive ($90.00 delivered).
It's probably the best update I've done to date.

If you on on the fence about this.... don't be.
Go For It!

 

Who

Wow!
took me longer to get up the nerve to follow the directions that stated... "cut this wire if you have a Wrangler," than it did to do the install.

Ok, that is not exactly true, but.... It was easy.
I'm not sure what the big deal is about taking the steering wheel shroud is. 3 screws and a couple of tabs... Came right off.
I did unlock the steering column, but I'm not sure that was really needed.

I did call tech support because I was nervous about cutting the wire (not sure why). 1st thing I was asked, did I down load and print the tech sheet? Honestly, I had not.
I down loaded and read up to the point about cutting the wire. In bold print... stated, cut the wire if for a Wrangler. So, I cut the wire and finished the install.

Temp is supposed to be below 32 tomorrow. I'll be using it in the morning.

I sure didn't think I would miss having a remote start living in TN, but I was wrong.
This set up was so simple and so inexpensive ($90.00 delivered).
It's probably the best update I've done to date.

If you on on the fence about this.... don't be.
Go For It!

How is the Remote start holding up?

 

What about cutting the wire?

Why did you need to cut a wire? I have looked at a few videos, 1 shows only cutting and taping off for a wrangler. Is this correct, is there something I am missing?

 

The instructions say to cut a wire on the new wiring harness they send you if you have a Wrangler. Why? To me it’s just one of those things you do cause the instructions say to.