mdedge

I used ford securilock kit. It worked great, easy to install and program. You glue the antenna ring around the ignition cylinder and then just program like you would a key. The only issue I had was when putting back the steering column. It seems like the glued on antenna interferes with how the steering column shroud sits on the cylinder. It's unnoticeable, but seems like a little more gap then before.

duly noted I agree it was my fault I didn't preface with my experience. I enjoy the boards and look forward to being an active member.

Baum, There are plenty of good installers out there (I'm sure you are one of them). That's why I said in my previous post if you don't have a lot of experience with installing these things take it to a good installer. Just spend a good amount of time identifying whose good. I used to work in a big box retail install bay and I know what it's like. When I started I had very little experience, and when I asked how to remove a door panel I was told "pull". So I pulled and learned pretty quick that plastic clips are easy to break but also easy to hide from the customer. Like you said it's for sure that once and a while your going to break a tab (sometimes quick snap together plastic just doesn't come apart), but as you know you probably break 1/10th the clips that a big box installer breaks. When I said you need to cut in to ignition wires I meant tap the wire. But any time you splice in line you increase the risk for oxidation and breaking strands of copper which will change the impedence of the wire. Why tap a wire when you can use an inline harness?

Thanks for all the "help" guys. I installed this product last night and it's working great. And contrary to what most of you believe removing the steering column plastic was probably the hardest part, a close second was where to mount the unit. The reason I didn't want someone else to install it was for the same reason I asked the question how to remove the steering column plastic. I didn't want someone else just pulling (breaking clips) and forcing with flathead screwdrivers (marring the edges of the plastic) to open the shroud. Have any of you ever had experience with an install from the "experts"? Their goal is to get the unit in as fast as they can and working when you pick up the vehicle. They could care less about how many clips they break because most customers who take their cars in don't have a strong attention to this detail. They just want their car to start remotely for cheap. I know there are people out there who try to install these things themselves to save money but I am not in this group. I want to install it so when I'm done, the car will go back together properly. So for those of you who question why I would ask how to take the steering column apart I ask you a question; how much experience do you have installing auto electronics in vehicles? Good installers with experience understand that removing plastic parts (steering columns, dash parts, door panels, consoles, etc.) fastened with hidden clips is not an easy task. Unfortunately though, most installers just pull on the parts till they come off. Then when they put them back on they do not fit near as tight as they did before. Weeks, months, years later they start to rattle and the owner blames the manufacturer, not the crappy installer. I have tons of experience with auto electronics so the wiring of the remote start was not going to be an issue. I was just looking for any tips on removing the shroud without breaking any clips. I should have clarified this so to actually get some suggestions. If anybody needs tips to remove the shroud here’s what I did. 1. Remove the upper shroud first a. Lower the tilt lever and you can see the front clips from the hole where the tilt lever is. Unhook them with a long flathead screwdriver b. Push in on the sides of the shroud and lift up. You will begin to see the throat of the next clip. Push in on the clip with a taped up flathead screwdriver c. Repeat step B until all clips are undone 2. Remove the lower shroud a. Three torx screws from underneath (2 size 20 and 1 size 21) b. Lower the front of the lower shroud and then pull forward. Also the reason to purchase the ford remote start is because you don’t have to cut any ignition wires. It is supplied with an inline harness. You still have to tap in to wires in the kick panel (locks, dome, lights, brake) but none in the ignition harness. After market you must splice in to your ignition wires. If you guys want someone else hacking into ignition wires be my guest, not for me though. If you have no experience with mobile electronics I would say to find the best installer you can to install this product for you. Don’t look for price, look for quality.

I am planning on installing a remote start this weekend and am wondering if anyone has any tips or knows how to remove the plastic around the steering column. Any help would be appreciated.

Has anyone installed this unit in their edge? If so any tips or tricks for the install I will be attempting this weekend? I have read a few places on these forums that the dual climate control would not come on with remote start, anyone know if this is true? Also any ideas on how to turn on heated seats with this unit? Thanks in advance for any help offered. I plan on posting pics and info on my install to aid others when I'm done

Have you installed this item as of yet? I am getting ready to install one this weekend