"Jon" <jonsdak@midmaine.com> wrote:
: I imagine it'd work fine with a regular one, since you're bypassing all the
: hardware under the dash anyway, so the clutch safety switch wouldn't come
: into play.. I'm just kind of worried he (or I, for that matter), would
: forget to park in Neutral and then hit the starter the next morning... I
: don't think the results would be pleasant.
I have seen car starters designed for manual transmissions before
where in order to be able to start it remotely, you need to go through
a specific sequence when you shut it off. (Essentially what it boils
down to is you have to use the remote to keep the car running, then
exit the vehicle, lock the doors, and use the remote to shut off the
car. That ensures it isn't in gear when it goes to start up again.)
I'm not sure if they make them anymore though.
I installed a remote starter on my 5 speed - the clutch safety switch
can be tied into right by the clutch pedal itself. On my truck, I
installed a switch in-line with the clutch and mounted it in my center
console. Unless the switch is flipped in a certain direction, the
truck can "see" that the clutch pedal isn't pushed in, and the truck
won't start. Of course, there is also a shutoff switch for the remote
start system altogether. I usually leave the clutch override switch
off unless I am planning to park the truck such that it can be
remote started. (Just in case the remote gets crushed in my pocket
or something.) Although there is nothing electronically forcing me to
do so, I follow the procedure I listed above when parking the truck for
a remote start - I activate the "valet takeover mode", I think its
called, which leaves the truck running even after I shut off the key
and remove it. I make sure the clutch override switch is on, not in
gear, parking brake on, wheels and vehicle positioned such that it isn't
likely to roll away. Then I exit the truck, lock the doors, and shut
off the engine with the remote.
When I'm not planning to remote start the truck I usually leave it
parked in 4th gear with the parking brake on. (If all else fails, I
figure that may stall the starter rather than move the truck.)
Despite all the precautions though, I have made some mental slips
and yes, I did try to start the truck once, forgot it was in reverse,
and it smacked into a wall. Fortunately, it didn't do too much damage
except for a dent in an already dented bumper.
---Jon-
.---- Jon Steiger ------ jon@dakota-truck.net or jon@jonsteiger.com ------. | I'm the: AOPA, DoD, EAA, NMA, NRA, SPA, USUA. Rec & UL Pilot - SEL | | 70 Cuda, 90 Dak 'vert, 92 Ram 4x4, 96 Dak, 96 Intruder 1400, 96 FireFly | `------------------------------------------ http://www.jonsteiger.com ----'
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