Viper 5301 2-Way Remote Start System

I received this remote start unit as a Christmas present (installed it in a 2010 Ford F-150) and have been using it for the past month or so. While I agree that the buttons on the remote are a bit too sensitive, I did not have problems with a lot of accidental activations when putting my keychain in my pocket. I did, however, accidentally start my truck a couple of times when I was carrying my keys along with other items (groceries, etc.). So a little redesign on the remote is in order (take note, Viper).

However, there's a way to make this issue go away. The owner's manual describes a "Button Auto Lock" mode that must be configured by an "authorized dealer". This is complete nonsense, of course -- you can do it yourself. What you need to do is hold down the Function (bottom) button for 10 seconds or so, until the amber transmit LED lights up. Then push the Unlock button for 2 seconds until the remote beeps. This puts you in the remote's configuration mode. Push the...Read more

I had this thing installed in my wife's car as a Christmas present. Cost me $350 for the unit plus $100 for an adapter to work in her car and another $100 for installation. The buttons are way, way too sensitive. I carried the starter fob on my keyring in my pocket and every time I moved, the car would start. Although the engine would shut itself off after 15 minutes, this would happen multiple times all day and night -- very hard on gas consumption. The other problem is that the headlights turn on when the engine starts, but do not turn off when the engine shuts down -- very hard on the battery. I finally removed the starter from my keyring but figured at least my wife would be OK, since she carries hers in her purse. I was wrong. I noticed one day her starter fob was sitting on her desk, not on her keyring. She was having all the same problems carrying the starter in her purse. She put her old factory remote fob back on her keyring -- it doesn't have a starter function, but...Read more

The remote control for the Viper series is poorly designed in that the pushbuttons stick out beyond the face of the remote and are super sensitive. You can not carry the remote in your pocket or purse without inadvertenty unlocking, starting, etc your car. There is a lockout feature associated with the remote that is not mentioned in the manual nor do some of the installers know about. The installer has to set this feature on the remote and it requires you to push the function button and then the unlock button before using the other buttons to perform a function. You only have 60 seconds to do your thing, then the remote relocks itself.

Even worse, there are complaints all over the web for another problem that I have. The "main brain" for the Viper 5301 system fails in extreme cold weather. Duh!, why do they think people buy these things in the first place. If my engine and Odessey van interior are still warm, the remote will start the van. If the engine and van...Read more