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Inexpensive Remote Start using OEM key fobs

170K views 367 replies 133 participants last post by  bparsel 
#1 ·
Hey guys. Wanted to do a little write up on my remote start installation.
I searched and searched to try and find someone who had written about this before and couldn't, so I figured I would give it a shot. I apologize if this information has already been presented here.

What: This post is about easily installing an inexpensive remote start in a 2009 Dodge Ram. A Xpresskit DB-ALL is used along with a T-Harness to quickly add remote start capability to the Ram using the OEM key fob.

DB-ALL
Technology Electronic device Electronics Cable Electronics accessory


CHTHD1 T-Harness (for 09-12 models)
Cable Wire Auto part Electrical wiring Technology


Cost: Typically under $100 depending on where and what you buy. I spent $83. You can spend as little as $55, or as much as $115. These are of course best online prices at the time I write this.

How it works: Start your truck with OEM key fob by pressing the lock button 3x.

What is installed: 1 module is installed. The module is a DB-ALL and it is Plug and Play with the optional CHTHD1. No wire splicing, no wire cutting. After flashing the module on your laptop or desktop, you only have about a 10 minute install to get your remote start working. Maybe 20 if you take your time.

If you want to skip the commentary, you can skip on down to the Install portion.

Note: This applies only to a 2009 Dodge Ram. I think the 3x OEM Remote Start can be used on Multiple Chrysler vehicles, and 06-12 Ram, but I’ll leave it up to you to check your particular vehicle at the Xpresskit website to see what works. The programming sequences and wiring are similar for other Chrysler vehicles, but may be different.

My truck is a 2009 Ram CC Black 4x4. I had been looking for a remote start since it started getting cold last year. I’ve had one on my other Ram for about 10 years, and when I got this truck it was a big adjustment not having it. On my old truck, I installed a Viper 550. This was back when I worked at Circuit City. It was a lot of wires, but very few if any electronic deterrents to deal with. No factory alarm, no chip in key, just straight wire to wire.

With the new truck, I've been apprehensive to tear into the wiring. With the 1 wire multiplex stuff, I didn’t want to mess anything up. When I started looking for RS systems, I decided I wanted to use my key fob and not have to use an additional remote. Everybody wants a little remote that sings and dances and talks to them, with a mile range, and to each their own (I think those are really cool), but I didn’t want that. My old RS was supposed to have a 2000 ft range. I don’t think in ten years I’ve ever been farther than 200 ft away and started it. The only time I use it is from inside the house, and that’s about 30 ft away. I have nothing against the fancy ones, they’re just not what I was looking for.

I saw that a lot of guys are buying the Mopar RS systems and putting most of the unit in themselves and then having the dealer do the rest. I thought at first I would do this. But after hearing the stories of $300, $400, $500 being spent on them total, I realized I didn’t want to go down that road. Plus I’m not all that excited about visiting the dealership.

I will say that the reason I’m doing this little write up on this process is because I have spent the better part of a month and a couple hundred dollars getting this process to work. I first bought an Avital 4003 and a CHALL unit. The first Avital was defective, so I got another one. The new one worked, but the only way to trigger it to start the vehicle was to pulse it with a lock signal. I didn’t want to get that involved, so I kept looking for other solutions. I will say I’ve got an Avital 4003 and a CHALL unit laying around if anyone wants a good deal on them. I say all of this mainly to show my disgust with how DEI and Xpresskit has convoluted the whole process of Remote Starts. They have taken this process and added so many layers to it that it becomes this conglomerate of confusing thoughts that becomes very annoying. You would see what I mean if you have ever went online and tried to decide on a particular setup, and find the modules for it. I guess it is their way to keep the money at the Installation Houses and dealers. I think the lack of transparency in a company will ultimately hurt them in the long run. They have about four of five different “Brand Names” that is virtually the same product. And that is just for the parent company DEI. Xpresskit does the same thing with their modules. They make so many different ones that are just a little bit different. But hey, that’s capitalism. And I like it. I’ll get off my soap box here.

Install
So here is my install.

Features:
1) Use Factory Key Fob remote to start and stop engine.
2) Only 1 remote to start and run truck
3) No trip to dealer
4) Much cheaper than Mopar.
5) Plug and Play. NO splicing wires.
6) 10 minute install (No joke, 10 minutes under the dash, well maybe 20)
7) Inexpensive: $50 for DB-ALL ($55 for pre-flashed unit from thebay) + $28 for CHTHD1 T-Harness +$29 for the XKLoader2
8) If you are really strapped for cash, you can do the whole thing for $55 by buying a pre-flashed DB-ALL and hardwiring it to your key module.


Parts: DEI Xpresskit DB-ALL
Technology Electronic device Electronics Cable Electronics accessory


CHTHD1 T-Harness
Cable Wire Auto part Electrical wiring Technology


XKLoader2 (if you program yourself)
Electronic device Technology Electronics Cable Wire



Step 1: Flash DB-ALL

Electronic device Technology Electronics Cable Wire


Flashing the DB-ALL is done by using the XKLoader2 to link up to the Xpresskit website and download the right platform for whatever vehicle you’re installing it in.
I did not use the XKLoader2. Actually I didn’t even buy one. I had thought about it, but decided to give it a go and see if it would work with having someone flash it for me. I bought my DB-ALL from a guy on the electronicbay and he programmed it for me. I paid an extra $5 for this service. It saved me from spending $30 on the XKLoader2.
Whatever way you decide to do it, you’ll end up with the same result.

Note: When the XKLoader2 is setting up the DB-ALL, make sure that Program Option 1 is set to RF Out ON. This is what allows the DB-ALL to be a stand-alone starter. No aftermarket starter required. Only with this set to ON will the OEM remote FOB be able to signal the DB-ALL to start the truck.

Step 2: Hook Up DB-ALL

This is a really simple process.
First you take the knee panel off. There are two Phillips head screws that hold it on*.
Trunk Vehicle Vehicle door Car Automotive exterior


After you take the two screws out, the bottom just pulls straight out, and then the whole thing shifts vertical to be lifted off the lower dash. The OBD2 connector and the Hood Release will still be attached. You can leave these on the panel and just lay it down. You will certainly see where the dust has been collecting. I just want to say that I do keep my truck clean and you can’t judge a vehicle based on the back side of a dash panel.
Vehicle Car Minivan Family car Compact mpv



At this point we need figure out how to take the plug out from the back of the key module. We can take the four screws out of the module and pull it out to work on it, or we can just remove the plug from the rear of the key module. This is done by pushing down the plastic notch on top of the connector on the left hand side and gently pulling the male connector out from the key module. If you study the connectors on the CHTHD1 T-Harness, you’ll quickly get the idea.
Here is a picture of the Key module with the knee panel off. You can see the four torx screws.
Vehicle Car Auto part Family car


Reaching around and pulling out the connector is by far the quickest easiest way to do it. I took the module out to take the pictures, but that was the only reason. I would first try and pull the connector out by hand, and if that doesn’t work in a minute or so, then you could take the four torx screws out and pull the module out to look at it.

Key module removed.
Auto part Camera Machine Cameras & optics Vehicle



In this picture you see the key module with the plug. Your plug probably won’t look so taped up, but I earlier hard-wired the DB-ALL during some troubleshooting, and then later had to solder, heat shrink, and tape the wires back up.
You’ll see the notch on the top that when depressed will allow the plug to come out .
Auto part Vehicle



Now that the plug is out we can hook up the CHTHD1 (or CHTHD2 or hardwire) T-Harness. This is pretty self explanatory. The male plug from the truck goes into the female plug on the harness, and the male plug from the CHTHD1 T-Harness goes into the back of the key module. The male plug from the T-Harness on the one I got was a little rough. The plug is an AMP Research plug that has little wings on the sides that snap closed after the pins have been inserted. On mine, a little wing on each side had not quite been closed by the machine, and left the plug out of square by a few mils. This made it an akward fit. I’m sure that yours will go straight in and you won’t have any problems though…

Here is a picture of the rear of the key module ignition unit in case anyone is interested.
Auto part Technology Automotive exterior Electronic device



Picture of the CHTHD1 T-Harness with the DB-ALL and key module
Technology Electronic device Electronics Cable Wire



The male end plugged into the key module
Wire Technology Electronic device Cable Vehicle



The male plug from the truck plugged into the female plug from the CHTHD1 T-Harness. The key module has been re-installed.
Wire Electrical wiring Light Auto part Cable


Electronics Auto part Technology Electronic device Vehicle


Step 3: Program DB-ALL to Truck

Plug the CHTH1 T-Harness into the DB-ALL. You will get a solid red or a flashing orange LED.
Auto part Electronic device Gadget



If you have a solid red or flashing orange LED, you then put the key in the ignition and turn to on. The LED will start flashing green.
You then take the key out of the ignition and push the lock button on the remote. The LED will will turn solid green or orange for 3 seconds then go off. The DB-ALL is now programmed.

To test your remote start: Take the remote and press the lock button 3x within 3 seconds. The DB-ALL will click and the green LED will flash and the truck should begin its start sequence.

Two safety items that I did not mention are, a hood pin switch and a neutral safety switch. You should definitely hook these up.

Results:
Mine has been reliably starting now for a couple days. The headlights and parking lights come on when it is started if the lights are set to auto and it is dark, otherwise no lights come on. There is a wire that can be hooked up to make your parking lights come on if you want that. One big thing that works great is the ability to remotely unlock the doors while the truck is running. I was afraid that the remote wouldn't unlock the doors since the truck thought that the key was in the ignition, but everything works as it should.

I started it as I was coming out of a department store, maybe 250 ft or so, but it was line of sight. It takes a couple tries to get the 3x push down pat, but after a few times you get the hang of it.

Overall I'm very happy with the setup. It is exactly what I set out to do. Except that the time frame was stretched out much farther than I would have liked to see it. I think anyone wanting a basic remote start will enjoy this. It doesn't roll down the windows or anything fancy, but my wife's suv will roll down the windows and open the sunroof with the remote and we have never one time used that.

Sorry that the pics are the small attachments. I couldn't figure out how to show the large pictures.
I hope this helps someone who may be having trouble with their install, or are having trouble deciphering the code that is DEI Xpresskit.
Sorry for all the commentary. It was kinda built up from about a month of messing around with this stuff.
I made a video that I will put on UTube of the install if anyone is interested.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

--Kyle
 
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#2 ·
WOW, thanks for the post. I am considering having this done at a local shop. They are charging $152 +tax. Not sure the brand, but it sounds like the exact same thing. With the bulkyness of the FOB, I didn't want to carry around another fob for the RS. All the other RS (viper, compuStar) started at $250 and went up. If you wanted to get rid of the fob, you could pay an extra $400 to get a smartphone app, but then you are at least $600, which is more than the OEM. This just seems like a win-win. I would love to see the install video when you get it posted. Great job!
 
#5 ·
I called my dealer, they said 2 things. One, they usually go aftermarket, which defeats the purpose of one FOB. Two, to would have a new button on the fob, meaning a new fob, which would be about $500 +tax installed. Mine dealer had not heard of the Xpress Kit.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for your comments.

Here's the link to the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BgspwmA4Vc

teenRam: Not sure what the dealership would charge. Since it is a plug-and-play unit, I would hope the labor would be low.

Huka42- That is interesting that the dealer recommended going aftermarket. I figured they would want you to go with Mopar products. I'm not suprised that they haven't heard of Xpresskit. I think they focus more on trying to sell the OEM products.

blacknchromehemi- Yeah I've heard horror stories too. I hope that since this is a plug-and-play unit that the chance of it having problems will be very small.

--Kyle
 
#10 ·
Wow! That is dead simple!

At the end of your video you mention something about an RF pulse? I can't quite make out what your saying so could you expand on what that step is? Thanks

Great thread and great work; rep points coming your way!
 
#11 ·
One last thing; do you by any chance have a link to the supplier? You mentioned the seller on ebay programmed yours; it would be nice to order from that seller if possible. They obviously got it right. Thanks
 
#12 ·
Thanks guys, I appreciate that.

I probably should have left out that part about the RF output, as most people would never need to mess with it, but I tend to get caught up in the details of things.

The RF Output Type is a feature in the Feature and Option List of the DB-ALL module. This can be turned on or off depending on what you have plugged up to the DB-ALL. If you are using the DB-ALL as a stand-alone unit (aka: RSR-Remote Start Ready), then the RF Output Type has to be set to on. If you are using a separate alarm/rs unit (ex. Viper 5901 ect.), then this can be set to off.

When you flash the DB-ALL with the XKLoader2, it automatically sets this to ON for you. So if you ordered it already flashed, you wouldn't have to worry about it.

One day when I was still trying to get everything to work, I thought I would reset the module to see what would happen. I did this not knowing it would reset the RF Output option. So I had to manually pulse the door lock wire to negative while in programming mode to change the options.

Hope I was able to explain that concisely and clearly.

Here is a link to ebay where I purchased the DB-ALL.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/XPRESSKIT-DBALL-DATA-ALL-INTERFACE-W-FIRMWARE-MULTI-MODULE-DEI-BYPASS-MODULE-/110826324496?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19cdc38210

I'll also include the link to the DB-ALL manual for the Remote Start Ready stand-alone installation.

http://www.xpresskit.com/DocumentDownload.aspx?documentid=7176&productid=461&firmwareid=2573

--Kyle
 
#23 · (Edited)
Well I took the plunge and wanted to try this out. I got all the pieces in, including the xd2loader, and set to work. I got the v4.04 of DB-ALL loaded and installed the PnP harness into the truck. Connected in teh DB-ALL and get the red LED. Turned the key to on and I get the flashing green LED. Shut the key off and hit the lock button and sure enough I get a solid green LED for about 3 seconds. Thinking I am all good I hit the lock 3 times. I get nothing.

Now I think I may have a problem with the load, specifically with your note.

Note: When the XKLoader2 is setting up the DB-ALL, make sure that Program Option 1 is set to RF Out ON. This is what allows the DB-ALL to be a stand-alone starter. No aftermarket starter required. Only with this set to ON will the OEM remote FOB be able to signal the DB-ALL to start the truck.

I have the XpressvipHD loaded on my machine but I am at a loss to see the Program Option 1 to set RF Out ON.

Any advice?
 
#24 ·
Well I took the plunge and wanted to try this out. I got all the pieces in, including the xd2loader, and set to work. I got the v4.04 of DB-ALL loaded and installed the PnP harness into the truck. Connected in teh DB-ALL and get the red LED. Turned the key to on and I get the flashing green LED. Shut the key off and hit the lock button and sure enough I get a solid green LED for about 3 seconds. Thinking I am all good I hit the unlock 3 times. I get nothing.

Now I think I may have a problem with the load, specifically with your note.
I was reading htis thread and it says to hit LOCK button 3 times not unlock.
 
#28 ·
Got mine in today. I think the eBay seller didn't flash the unit. I went through the programming and tried to start it up by the FOB. Nothing... I've tried unplugging the unit and plugging it back in and it just seems to not recognize the FOB's signal. If I unplug the DB-All and plug it back in, the unit has a quick red flash and then a green flash and goes dark..... I'm at a loss. I sent a message to the seller on eBay asking if the unit was flashed correctly. I don't think it was.
 
#29 ·
Got My Fix!

Well I have a fix for the problem I was having with the remote start, and I think it might apply to robby5323 as well.

Firstly you need a XKLoader2 and Internet Explorer on your computer. Sorry Mac users, the plugin won't work for you.

Go to xpresskit.com then downloads and get the Xpress VIP 4. That is a driver pack for the nexgen db-all thinger and a plug-in (add-on) for internet explorer. Install that download and connect your XKloader2, with the DB-ALL module connected to it, to the computer. Give it about a minute to install the drivers and that part is good.

Now reopen internet explorer and go back to xpresskit.com. This time it will detect your connected XKloader2 and look at the firmware on your module. Swing over to the upper right of the webpage and select your, vehicle. Mine is a 09 Ram. This will bring you to the firmware available to your connected module. See Screenshot.



You will then go to Flash It, which will open up another page. This is where it is critical you change an option.

You need to select the D2D (RFTD). See screenshot. Then select Flash.



Now your thinger is good to go.

*Note* I already "programmed" the module in my truck, with the key turns, so after I flashed a new firmware I didn't have to reprogram. I just connected it and had fun.
 
#30 · (Edited)
Well it looks like I will have to purchase the XKLoader2. The ebay seller is trying to figure out if they actually flashed my unit or not... I am guessing not, since they said they mark the box with the flash and mine had no markings or signs that it was even opened... Bummer.

***Update***

I will be sending this DBall back to the vendor and they will be sending me a "Flashed" unit to replace it.
 
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