Corrected version of how to get a cheap and easy remote start with AlfaOBD

[rick16706]

I tried this post a short while ago and managed to screw it up, so I'm now going to try it again.

When I bought my truck in 2019, it didn't come with remote start, or so I thought. I remember the dealer telling me that I could have the factory installee alarm system for about $850.00 and when I told them I didn't want it for that price, they said they "would not activate it". I don't remember them saying anything at all about a remote start.

After joining this forum, I saw all sorts of articles about installing remote start on the truck, all of them rather expensive. Most were some sort of kit that needed to be installed and programed in some fashion. In addition to the parts and programing for the remote start itself, just about all of them required two new key fobs to be programed by the dealer, a locksmith, or AlfaOBD. Going through a dealer for the two new fobs could run several hundred dollars all by itself. At the time, I went with Start X, which I could install myself and could use my existing key fobs.

About three weeks ago, the Start X stopped working. After spending quite a bit of time trying to figure out what was wrong and how to get it working again, with absolutely no luck, I decided to hell with it and pulled the system out of the truck. In the process though, I figured out what I should have done in the first place. I ended up with a factory remote start for less than $10.00.

It turned out that remote start is already in the truck, just like the alarm system is. It just needs to be activated. I found a couple of videos on YouTube that showed how to install a factory remote start using AlfaOBD and was able to still use my original key fob. And the actual process of changing the settings and making one small modification concerning the hood latch took probably less than 15 minutes.

Both of the videos I found gave a coupe of different options for setting things up. One method required removing and then installing a new locking hood latch, which can be bought for about between $30.00 and $200.00. Another method used my exixting hood latch and using a resistor costing just a few cents. I went the resistor route. Also, most articles I saw talking about using AlfaOBD for setting things up, talked about getting two new key fobs, which again added to the cost and would require programing, but the method I used allowed for me to keep using the key fobs I already had.

The original key fob has a working contact for the remote start. It just doesn't have a working button. What I did was open the key fob, remove the rubber insert with the buttons, and replace it with a new insert. You can buy replacement key fobs or just the rubber inserts with the icons on them including the remote start button on Amazon or Ebay pretty cheap.

One additional point: Once it is up and running, the horn will honk twice and the parking lights will flash when you start the truck remotely. You can use AlfaOBD to turn them off if you want.

I thought this was worth passing on and it might save somebody some time and money. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to blow several hundred dollars to get something that you can get almost for free. If you already have the AlfaOBD, you're all set. If not, this mod alone will pay for the AlfaOBD set up.

Here are links for the videos I used:

Activating Remote Start (2013-2018 RAM)

Our tech Joseph walks you through on how to activate the Remote Start feature on your vehicle using the AlfaOBD app. In this video we use a Dodge Ram Classi...

www.youtube.com

How to Enable Remote Start RAM | Dodge | Jeep | AlfaOBD

How to Enable Remote Start RAM Dodge Jeep using AlfaOBD we show how we turned on and programmed remote start on a key fob this should work for a ram 1500 250...

www.youtube.com

 

[SitKneelBend]

I tried this post a short while ago and managed to screw it up, so I'm now going to try it again.

When I bought my truck in 2019, it didn't come with remote start, or so I thought. I remember the dealer telling me that I could have the factory installee alarm system for about $850.00 and when I told them I didn't want it for that price, they said they "would not activate it". I don't remember them saying anything at all about a remote start.

After joining this forum, I saw all sorts of articles about installing remote start on the truck, all of them rather expensive. Most were some sort of kit that needed to be installed and programed in some fashion. In addition to the parts and programing for the remote start itself, just about all of them required two new key fobs to be programed by the dealer, a locksmith, or AlfaOBD. Going through a dealer for the two new fobs could run several hundred dollars all by itself. At the time, I went with Start X, which I could install myself and could use my existing key fobs.

About three weeks ago, the Start X stopped working. After spending quite a bit of time trying to figure out what was wrong and how to get it working again, with absolutely no luck, I decided to hell with it and pulled the system out of the truck. In the process though, I figured out what I should have done in the first place. I ended up with a factory remote start for less than $10.00.

It turned out that remote start is already in the truck, just like the alarm system is. It just needs to be activated. I found a couple of videos on YouTube that showed how to install a factory remote start using AlfaOBD and was able to still use my original key fob. And the actual process of changing the settings and making one small modification concerning the hood latch took probably less than 15 minutes.

Both of the videos I found gave a coupe of different options for setting things up. One method required removing and then installing a new locking hood latch, which can be bought for about between $30.00 and $200.00. Another method used my exixting hood latch and using a resistor costing just a few cents. I went the resistor route. Also, most articles I saw talking about using AlfaOBD for setting things up, talked about getting two new key fobs, which again added to the cost and would require programing, but the method I used allowed for me to keep using the key fobs I already had.

The original key fob has a working contact for the remote start. It just doesn't have a working button. What I did was open the key fob, remove the rubber insert with the buttons, and replace it with a new insert. You can buy replacement key fobs or just the rubber inserts with the icons on them including the remote start button on Amazon or Ebay pretty cheap.

One additional point: Once it is up and running, the horn will honk twice and the parking lights will flash when you start the truck remotely. You can use AlfaOBD to turn them off if you want.

I thought this was worth passing on and it might save somebody some time and money. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to blow several hundred dollars to get something that you can get almost for free. If you already have the AlfaOBD, you're all set. If not, this mod alone will pay for the AlfaOBD set up.

Here are links for the videos I used:

Activating Remote Start (2013-2018 RAM)

Our tech Joseph walks you through on how to activate the Remote Start feature on your vehicle using the AlfaOBD app. In this video we use a Dodge Ram Classi...

www.youtube.com

How to Enable Remote Start RAM | Dodge | Jeep | AlfaOBD

How to Enable Remote Start RAM Dodge Jeep using AlfaOBD we show how we turned on and programmed remote start on a key fob this should work for a ram 1500 250...

www.youtube.com

Great write up. My DBall remote start was acting up and I pretty much did exactly what you did (without the detailed write up)

 

[Filthy Filbert]

anybody got any tips for a 2020 Ram Classic?

I bought the new fobs off amazon, used the rubber piece inside my current fob. I used Alpha OBD to activate remote start, however, the youtube video talks about changing a setting with the hood latch sensor from off to on? in my software, that isn't an option. I can select 2 different ohm settings of the sensor, so that doesn't make sense.

Is there more to this for a 2020 Classic than just getting the rubber pad for the key fob and using Alpha OBD to unlock the settings in the computer?

 

[RamDiver]

anybody got any tips for a 2020 Ram Classic?

I bought the new fobs off amazon, used the rubber piece inside my current fob. I used Alpha OBD to activate remote start, however, the youtube video talks about changing a setting with the hood latch sensor from off to on? in my software, that isn't an option. I can select 2 different ohm settings of the sensor, so that doesn't make sense.

Is there more to this for a 2020 Classic than just getting the rubber pad for the key fob and using Alpha OBD to unlock the settings in the computer?

I have to look at that again on my PC tomorrow but, AFAIK, the hood latch switch has an end of line resistor, one of two different values.

You place the resistor in series with the hood latch switch.

.

 

[SitKneelBend]

anybody got any tips for a 2020 Ram Classic?

I bought the new fobs off amazon, used the rubber piece inside my current fob. I used Alpha OBD to activate remote start, however, the youtube video talks about changing a setting with the hood latch sensor from off to on? in my software, that isn't an option. I can select 2 different ohm settings of the sensor, so that doesn't make sense.

Is there more to this for a 2020 Classic than just getting the rubber pad for the key fob and using Alpha OBD to unlock the settings in the computer?

What wiring was present on your truck? Did you complete the circuit with the hood latch or just ground Pin 11 on the BCM?

 

[diymirage]

I tried this post a short while ago and managed to screw it up, so I'm now going to try it again.

When I bought my truck in 2019, it didn't come with remote start, or so I thought. I remember the dealer telling me that I could have the factory installee alarm system for about $850.00 and when I told them I didn't want it for that price, they said they "would not activate it". I don't remember them saying anything at all about a remote start.

After joining this forum, I saw all sorts of articles about installing remote start on the truck, all of them rather expensive. Most were some sort of kit that needed to be installed and programed in some fashion. In addition to the parts and programing for the remote start itself, just about all of them required two new key fobs to be programed by the dealer, a locksmith, or AlfaOBD. Going through a dealer for the two new fobs could run several hundred dollars all by itself. At the time, I went with Start X, which I could install myself and could use my existing key fobs.

About three weeks ago, the Start X stopped working. After spending quite a bit of time trying to figure out what was wrong and how to get it working again, with absolutely no luck, I decided to hell with it and pulled the system out of the truck. In the process though, I figured out what I should have done in the first place. I ended up with a factory remote start for less than $10.00.

It turned out that remote start is already in the truck, just like the alarm system is. It just needs to be activated. I found a couple of videos on YouTube that showed how to install a factory remote start using AlfaOBD and was able to still use my original key fob. And the actual process of changing the settings and making one small modification concerning the hood latch took probably less than 15 minutes.

Both of the videos I found gave a coupe of different options for setting things up. One method required removing and then installing a new locking hood latch, which can be bought for about between $30.00 and $200.00. Another method used my exixting hood latch and using a resistor costing just a few cents. I went the resistor route. Also, most articles I saw talking about using AlfaOBD for setting things up, talked about getting two new key fobs, which again added to the cost and would require programing, but the method I used allowed for me to keep using the key fobs I already had.

The original key fob has a working contact for the remote start. It just doesn't have a working button. What I did was open the key fob, remove the rubber insert with the buttons, and replace it with a new insert. You can buy replacement key fobs or just the rubber inserts with the icons on them including the remote start button on Amazon or Ebay pretty cheap.

One additional point: Once it is up and running, the horn will honk twice and the parking lights will flash when you start the truck remotely. You can use AlfaOBD to turn them off if you want.

I thought this was worth passing on and it might save somebody some time and money. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to blow several hundred dollars to get something that you can get almost for free. If you already have the AlfaOBD, you're all set. If not, this mod alone will pay for the AlfaOBD set up.

Here are links for the videos I used:

Activating Remote Start (2013-2018 RAM)

Our tech Joseph walks you through on how to activate the Remote Start feature on your vehicle using the AlfaOBD app. In this video we use a Dodge Ram Classi...

www.youtube.com

How to Enable Remote Start RAM | Dodge | Jeep | AlfaOBD

How to Enable Remote Start RAM Dodge Jeep using AlfaOBD we show how we turned on and programmed remote start on a key fob this should work for a ram 1500 250...

www.youtube.com

True as this is, it has allready been documented here ad nasuem

 

[RamDiver]

anybody got any tips for a 2020 Ram Classic?

I bought the new fobs off amazon, used the rubber piece inside my current fob. I used Alpha OBD to activate remote start, however, the youtube video talks about changing a setting with the hood latch sensor from off to on? in my software, that isn't an option. I can select 2 different ohm settings of the sensor, so that doesn't make sense.

Is there more to this for a 2020 Classic than just getting the rubber pad for the key fob and using Alpha OBD to unlock the settings in the computer?

I've found 3 options for hood ajar in MY2019 BCM.

CBC Features-Vehicle Theft Alarm (VTA) Hood Ajar Monitoring 1
CBC Config I/O-Connector A Pin 11: Hood Ajar Switch Input Present
CBC Config I/O Usage-Connector A Pin 11: Hood Ajar Switch Signal Usage





I would start with CBC Config I/O-Connector A Pin 11: Hood Ajar Switch Input Present and set to Yes.





Having not done this myself, I'm not certain if you must install an end-of-line resistor (EOL) and configure the next site item. I will check my truck, which has an OEM remote start, to see if an EOL resistor is set at my next opportunity.



CBC Config I/O Usage-Connector A Pin 11: Hood Ajar Switch Signal Usage
Select value;
1K parallel resistor
500 ohm series and 500 ohm parallel resistors

We can discuss these resistors and their use, if required.



.

 

[rick16706]

In reply to diymirage: I really didn't mean to offend. I'd read quite a few posts in this forum and done multiple searches but almost everything I found talked about installing various kits and parts, to include buying new key fobs and having them programed by a dealer or a locksmith so that the total cost would be several hundred dollars. All I was trying to get across was that the factory remote start could be installed with AlfaOBD, your existing key fob and one resistor. Total cost was under $20.00 and took less than an hour.

As far as something being discussed ad nasuem, that may be true, but it is kind of hard to find the various posts if you don't happen to see them when they are originally posted. Some threads are pretty damn long, and it takes hours to read through some of them. And even when you read through the entire thing, you still may not find exactly what you are looking for.

I happened to find the two videos I followed quite by accident. After the Start X system I had paid quite a bit for had gone belly up, I had pretty well decided to do without a remote start for the truck. Once I had found how to do it the way I wrote it up, I thought it was worth posting. I have learned quite a bit in this forum and thank everybody for the information they provide. But again, if I offended anybody or have annoyed anybody, I apologize.

 

[diymirage]

In reply to diymirage: I really didn't mean to offend. I'd read quite a few posts in this forum and done multiple searches but almost everything I found talked about installing various kits and parts, to include buying new key fobs and having them programed by a dealer or a locksmith so that the total cost would be several hundred dollars. All I was trying to get across was that the factory remote start could be installed with AlfaOBD, your existing key fob and one resistor. Total cost was under $20.00 and took less than an hour.

As far as something being discussed ad nasuem, that may be true, but it is kind of hard to find the various posts if you don't happen to see them when they are originally posted. Some threads are pretty damn long, and it takes hours to read through some of them. And even when you read through the entire thing, you still may not find exactly what you are looking for.

I happened to find the two videos I followed quite by accident. After the Start X system I had paid quite a bit for had gone belly up, I had pretty well decided to do without a remote start for the truck. Once I had found how to do it the way I wrote it up, I thought it was worth posting. I have learned quite a bit in this forum and thank everybody for the information they provide. But again, if I offended anybody or have annoyed anybody, I apologize.

Funny, my experience was the exact opposite...perhaps i was using different search criteria

At any rate, no worries, its no big deal

 

[Filthy Filbert]

What wiring was present on your truck? Did you complete the circuit with the hood latch or just ground Pin 11 on the BCM?

I'm going to have to look into grounding that pin on the BCM. Any hints on where it is? is it part of the fuse panel by the battery?

My truck does not have any pigtails/wire harness by the hood latch. The video I watched posted above talked about changing a setting for "I/O hood latch present" (or something to that effect...I'd have to watch it again) from no to yes. When I looked through the list of options under change car configuration the only thing I saw for hood latch was changing resistor values, nothing about yes/no present/not present, etc.

But, that list is quite long and I may have missed it scrolling through the seemingly hundreds of options on the list.

 

[Filthy Filbert]

I've found 3 options for hood ajar in MY2019 BCM.

CBC Features-Vehicle Theft Alarm (VTA) Hood Ajar Monitoring 1
CBC Config I/O-Connector A Pin 11: Hood Ajar Switch Input Present
CBC Config I/O Usage-Connector A Pin 11: Hood Ajar Switch Signal Usage


View attachment 567103


I would start with CBC Config I/O-Connector A Pin 11: Hood Ajar Switch Input Present and set to Yes.


View attachment 567104


Having not done this myself, I'm not certain if you must install an end-of-line resistor (EOL) and configure the next site item. I will check my truck, which has an OEM remote start, to see if an EOL resistor is set at my next opportunity.



CBC Config I/O Usage-Connector A Pin 11: Hood Ajar Switch Signal Usage
Select value;
1K parallel resistor
500 ohm series and 500 ohm parallel resistors

We can discuss these resistors and their use, if required.

View attachment 567102

.

Thanks. I'll sit down and try again while looking at these screen shots. I'm still getting used to this AlphaOBD software. It seems quite clunky

 

[RamDiver]

Thanks. I'll sit down and try again while looking at these screen shots. I'm still getting used to this AlphaOBD software. It seems quite clunky

You're welcome.

If you're using AlfaOBD with Android, that's likely the reason it feels clunky.
Depending on the processor resources available in your Android device, it may respond poorly.

AlfaOBD on windoze has a few other benefits besides the backup configuration files in English versus the Hex code used in the Android version.

The processing power of most PCs these days leaves Android devices in the dust.
The backup configuration files are stored on a local hard drive or SSD.
Screenshots are quick and easy.
I keep electronic notes on all changes, updating them as they are configured.

Finding items is so much easier. Look at the first screenshot in post #7.
Type 'hood' into the Find setting: cell, and all results that include hood will be displayed.
Can you do that with the Android version?

.

 

[diymirage]

I'm going to have to look into grounding that pin on the BCM. Any hints on where it is? is it part of the fuse panel by the battery?

My truck does not have any pigtails/wire harness by the hood latch. The video I watched posted above talked about changing a setting for "I/O hood latch present" (or something to that effect...I'd have to watch it again) from no to yes. When I looked through the list of options under change car configuration the only thing I saw for hood latch was changing resistor values, nothing about yes/no present/not present, etc.

But, that list is quite long and I may have missed it scrolling through the seemingly hundreds of options on the list.

its a pain to get at, but its there

the real issue is finding the right pin to add to that lil block if it is not there
(if it is, just cut it, add a resistor and ground it out)

 

[Filthy Filbert]

You're welcome.

If you're using AlfaOBD with Android, that's likely the reason it feels clunky.
Depending on the processing resources available in your Android device, it may respond poorly.

AlfaOBD on windoze has a few other benefits besides the backup configuration files in English versus the Hex code used in the Android version.

The processing power of most PCs these days leaves Android devices in the dust.
The backup configuration files are stored on a local hard drive or SSD.
Screenshots are quick and easy.
I keep electronic notes on all changes, updating them as they are configured.

Finding items is so much easier. Look at the first screenshot in post #7.
Type 'hood' into the Find setting: cell, and all results that include hood will be displayed.
Can you do that with the Android version?

.

I'm using Alpha on a PC with windows 10. I'm just new to the software. I'm used to using a Snapon Solus to access the various computers and sensors for troubleshooting; so this interface is just taking me some getting used to. So far I've already activated the factory brake controller feature after adding the hardware. The controller worked without the software changes, it just didn't display on the dash to visually see what bias setting it was on. --but, in my old truck I couldn't see that anyway because it was aftermarket.

I bought the new key fob with buttons, and changed remote start present from no to yes. I just need to figure out the pin grounding and the other settings to change regarding the hood latch.

 

[Filthy Filbert]

View attachment 567148

its a pain to get at, but its there

the real issue is finding the right pin to add to that lil block if it is not there
(if it is, just cut it, add a resistor and ground it out)

Oh, that's where it is? ok. I feel like on my 06 cummins it was under the fuse panel by the battery where all the relays were soldered on. But, I also never had to do anything physical to the BCM.

Thanks for the photo.

That looks like a screenshot from a FSM. Is there somewhere on the web I can download a free .pdf of the FSM for a 2020 1500 classic? That might help prevent me from asking noob questions....

 

[Dean2]

In reply to diymirage: I really didn't mean to offend. I'd read quite a few posts in this forum and done multiple searches but almost everything I found talked about installing various kits and parts, to include buying new key fobs and having them programed by a dealer or a locksmith so that the total cost would be several hundred dollars. All I was trying to get across was that the factory remote start could be installed with AlfaOBD, your existing key fob and one resistor. Total cost was under $20.00 and took less than an hour.

As far as something being discussed ad nasuem, that may be true, but it is kind of hard to find the various posts if you don't happen to see them when they are originally posted. Some threads are pretty damn long, and it takes hours to read through some of them. And even when you read through the entire thing, you still may not find exactly what you are looking for.

I happened to find the two videos I followed quite by accident. After the Start X system I had paid quite a bit for had gone belly up, I had pretty well decided to do without a remote start for the truck. Once I had found how to do it the way I wrote it up, I thought it was worth posting. I have learned quite a bit in this forum and thank everybody for the information they provide. But again, if I offended anybody or have annoyed anybody, I apologize.

You did good. Your post is valuable to lots of people. Don't be dissuaded. Thanks for taking the time.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Oh, that's where it is? ok. I feel like on my 06 cummins it was under the fuse panel by the battery where all the relays were soldered on. But, I also never had to do anything physical to the BCM.

Thanks for the photo.

That looks like a screenshot from a FSM. Is there somewhere on the web I can download a free .pdf of the FSM for a 2020 1500 classic? That might help prevent me from asking noob questions....

It's not fun to get to, but it's not working because you must ground that PIN to complete the circuit OR ad the factory wiring and hood latch to complete the circuit. After grounding the pin, I had to fiddle with that resistance setting flipping between the two until I started getting a reading AND drive over 35MPH for something else the truck is looking for. As you look up at the TPM (as if you were right side up and not upside down because you will likely be upside down to see it), it is the top left connector on the BCM.

 

[Azmp1]

Thanks for posting this, so let me make sure I understand, every Ram model already has everything needs there for the remote start, just need the resister for hood latch, keyfob skin change and the alfaOBD coding?

 

[SitKneelBend]

Thanks for posting this, so let me make sure I understand, every Ram model already has everything needs there for the remote start, just need the resister for hood latch, keyfob skin change and the alfaOBD coding?

Not necessarily. But there are several ways to complete the circuit based on what you have from the factory. The FOBs just need new skins and 1 pin on the BCM needs grounding (either grounded by the proper hood latch and wiring OR simply grounding the pin directly to a body ground).

 

[Azmp1]

Not necessarily. But there are several ways to complete the circuit based on what you have from the factory. The FOBs just need new skins and 1 pin on the BCM needs grounding (either grounded by the proper hood latch and wiring OR simply grounding the pin directly to a body ground).

Got ya.. or I’m thinking just probably easier to buy a hood latch with remote start. Plenty of them on eBay for about $25