Car Stereos: Remote Start, remote starter installation, jeep grand cherokee laredo

Question
I just got a remote start installed in my 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, the first one installed worked about 3 times then it wouldn't work, I contacted the installer and he suggested we put a new one in that the system may be faulty, we put a new one in and it worked twice then the same thing happened.  I am beside myself as I am out of the money and without a remote start.  He wants to install a third system but I feel that there is a bigger issue here than faulty equipment.  Please advise what I can do to correct this issue, the garage that is installing this remote starter are not that easy to deal with and I just want to get it corrected as quickly as possible.  I appreciate any assistance you can give me.

Answer
Hi Terri,

I'm sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble with your remote starter installation.  It does sound like the original installer is being too quick to blame the product for your problems.  In my experience, problems with remote starters are much more often caused by installation errors than with defective equipment.  

There are some things about your vehicle that make a remote starter installation a bit tricky, but it's certainly not impossible. I don't know if I'll be able to suggest a solution to your problems without being able to check it out personally, but I'll do the best I can for you.

Can you give me more information about the system you've had installed, and the exact problem you're having?  If you can find the brand and model number of the remote starter system, that will help me find wiring guides and owner's manuals.  Also, the installer probably had to use an additional module to bypass your factory transponder anti-theft system.   If possible, I need to know the model of the bypass module he used.

What exactly is happening when the unit fails to remote start?  Is the vehicle attempting to start?  Are there any warning lights flashing on the vehicle's dash when you try to start it with the remote?  

Please provide as much detail as you possibly can, and I'll see if I can come up with something to take back to your installer (or a different installer, if it comes to that).  

I can't promise I'll be able to help out, but I'll try.

Brian