Onstar alternative

whteglve · 11-21-2006, 09:48 AM

Do you folks know if there is an alternative to Onstar out there? Or is there a way to unlock my cars doors if I get locked out?

nakinney · 11-21-2006, 10:19 AM

No, but a hide-a-key works real well!

whteglve · 11-21-2006, 04:26 PM

I know, but that doesn't work if your handles are shaved. Plus I'm a little hesitant about leaving an extra fob or mounting an extra button somewhere on the car.

Dingo509 · 11-21-2006, 06:14 PM

what do you mean extra button? You have to have buttons for the electric latch as it is, otherwise you'll never get in. I have helped build alot of Street Rods and we shave the handles on almost all of them. Normally we have a small set of jumper terminals that you can hook a set of wires to that will pop the door if the battery is dead. these don't have to be mounted together, theoretically you could have the positive at one end of the car and the negative at the other. Or you could just ground to the frame and have only one terminal for positive. if you do it this way though make sure you have the wires hooked up so that it will UNlock the doors not Lock them.

You can also mount a small air cylinder inline next to the door popper then run the airline to a schrader valve somewhere. if you pick the right cylinder you could use a small jumper hose and take the pressure from one of the tires. We did this on one car at the customers request, it seamed weird at the time but i think it's a better way to go personally as it negates the need for a set of jumper cables.

Dingo

whteglve · 11-22-2006, 08:36 AM

I don't have ANY buttons on the outside of the car. I use a remote with the buttons on it. That would pointless the first time you had to use it. For anyone watching (maybe I'm paranoid), "Hey look here is my button to get into my car. You're welcome." Yes, I thought of the dead battery scenario, thus I mounted a pair of remote battery terminals. Thus if the battery dies I can use jumper cables and THEN use the remote. But what if I leave the keys and remote in the car. Oh well, the search continues.

Jahntassa · 11-22-2006, 11:09 AM

Get another remote and keep it at home? Just don't lock the keys inside when you're out.

Dingo509 · 11-22-2006, 11:13 AM

Okay i see what your doing. So then in addition to running the jumper terminals to the battery, run smaller ones to the door solenoid itself. That's why i was saying run only one. just the stud for the POS. You can ground anywhere. all you need is a stainless bolt and some plastic washers to isolate it. Depending on how you do it, even if somebody knew the stud was there, they still couldn't get in. you could also run a door contact strip. like this:

you could have only ONE going to the pos side of the solenoid us the frame for ground and set the rest to trigger the alarm. with 5 terminals that only gives the gy a 20% chance of getting it right. Plus if you go directly to the solenoid the dome light switch will still set off the alarm. don't mount this easy to get to or see. like inside the framerail or something (if you can get to it)

Dingo

turbocad6 · 11-22-2006, 11:54 AM

I used to leave 2 screwheads exposed in a fenderwell that lined up with a 9v battery, even if the battery died it was as easy as finding the nearest place to buy a 9v.... a freash one actually poped the door..

whteglve · 11-22-2006, 12:40 PM

I like that idea, Dingo. Thanks

2k1Toaster · 11-22-2006, 01:33 PM

As an alternative sort of thing as a back up that will only work with the battery charged is the Auidovox CL-100. It is a satellite paging system. Lifetime Activation when purchased. Then you just call a 1-800 number, and enter a pin number. From there, you can unlock/lock doors, roll down windows, open your trunk, start your car, whatever is hooked up.

Costs about $50-$100 on eBay and about $350 in a local retail audio shop.

inniss777 · 11-22-2006, 04:50 PM

There are real alternatives to on star. Teletrac is one and DEI makes a device very similer. The down fall is that all of them require a monthly subcription. But they perform many duties like unlocking your car from a cell or tracking your vehicle from the internet.

evonbart · 01-12-2008, 01:52 AM

Just a quick note about unlocking a car door with a remote when you've forgotten it somewhere or locked them inside. There is a remedy that allows you to open your doors using your cell phone. If you have someone that has the other remote somewhere else. They press it while you are on the phone - you hold the phone nearby the car and supposedly this will unlock your car. Have not tried it yet but I heard it's actually real. Good luck

AllThingsEnd · 01-12-2008, 02:35 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by evonbart

Just a quick note about unlocking a car door with a remote when you've forgotten it somewhere or locked them inside. There is a remedy that allows you to open your doors using your cell phone. If you have someone that has the other remote somewhere else. They press it while you are on the phone - you hold the phone nearby the car and supposedly this will unlock your car. Have not tried it yet but I heard it's actually real. Good luck

uhh.... what? i seriously hope thats a joke

h3rk · 01-12-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by evonbart

Just a quick note about unlocking a car door with a remote when you've forgotten it somewhere or locked them inside. There is a remedy that allows you to open your doors using your cell phone. If you have someone that has the other remote somewhere else. They press it while you are on the phone - you hold the phone nearby the car and supposedly this will unlock your car. Have not tried it yet but I heard it's actually real. Good luck

speakers and antennas are different things and ... no, that doesn't work.

I'm sorry, you have been mis-lead. And...

btw, I hope post # 2 goes better for you.