Great. And to make it workable, car makers will probably have to add an arrangement that lets the car run (idle) without the keys and without being drivable by a thief.

Hi, that is a great idea. I know its great becuase I thought of it too :). Kidding aside, I actually decided to build this. Where I live, parking is hard to find, so I usually park a block or two away from where I am. I have remote start on my car already, however, it has about a 15 foot range; its worthless. I tied a cell phone into my existing remote start, and tucked it all under my dash. I used a prepaid phone, so my car dosent have a monthy fee too. Tieing it into my existing remote starter gave me some added security/saftey, as the remote starter has a tach sensor, and will shut off after 20 minutes if the car isnt moving. I built this just in the time for this winter. I wouldnt be suprised if this was a feature integrated into systems like on-star in the near future.

Gkaste,
Do you have more instructions on how to build your own cell phone car starter? I'm very interested in this.
Thanks!

This is perfect to intergrate with something we have with us all the time. I think we're all a little envious of Gkaste for actually building one! Way to go! This is a perfect piggyback service for on-star. The car already has a unique i.d. You sms on-star, they verify your caller i.d. and start your car! They already have the control to do it. This would create a whole new userbase for on-star.

A friend and I were just discussing the same idea. I would LOVE to know how you got that to work. I live in northern MN and could use a cell phone car starter

I like cell phone , but why not use frs radiosrange 2 miles

gkaste - Can you post details on how you made the car starter work with a cell phone? I car pool and would love to be able to call my phone as I got closer to my car so it's all warmed up when I get there.

I love this idea - I also had considered this as a great idea. Glad to see others sharing in it.

What do you do with wrong number calls? Do they just start your car for you?

just dont get your phone stolen...

Of course, you would want to be able to shut it off remotely if you change your mind. Ditto if you discovered an empty parking space because someone had "borrowed" your wheels.

I think there is a company in Scotland that make a system that uses a cell phone interfaced to the cars engine management computer to shut your car down if someone steals it. You just dial the number on your phone and the computer in the car uses GPS to check that its not in a dangerous place to stop and if it is in a safe place to do so shuts down the engine.They may be able to adapt this system to perform a cell phone engine start.

I dont think the shutdown system will be 100% safe as civillian GPS is not that accurate and you could easily stop the car on the railroad tracks or when the thief is overtaking a truck on a two lane blacktop with another vehicle coming the other way in which case you have disabled the car just in time to destroy it.

Current Limitations:The problem with current car remote start systems out in the market today is that their range is very limited.

Current car alarm systems are limited by their audible range.

Purpose and Goal of this system:Will allow the user to be able to use the remote start, alarm, door lock/unlock, and other features with unlimited range.

With an alarm system installed in the automobile, the user will receive a phone call and will have the option to shut off the alarm.

We aim to revolutionize the automobile and cellular phone industry by forming a network between them without the need of an operator. Also, the system can be configured to be used with a variety of electronic devices.

Features List:Remote car start and shutdown from any phone

Remote door lock and unlock from any phone

Alarm notification through a preset phone number

Remote car alarm shutdown from any phone

Car intercom from any phone

Fully automated call system with password security

What the user needs to have:Remote Start System (pre-installed)

Car Alarm (pre-installed)

Cellular Phone or Cellular Transceiver (activated)

Patent Pending.

Will people still be able to start the car remotely with their cell phone if they have switched off in a hurry and left the car in 'DRIVE' or with the gears engaged? somebody will do this by accident....

I would like very much to have some plans on the construction of a unit like this. Have you already built one are is just a great ideal.

Thanks johnsautomtive

Just built one and it works great. This thing doesn't have featuritis either. You quite simply phone your car, enter your password, press *1 and BANG baby!

can anyone send me information reguarding this device? i would really appreciate it, bleedamericanx@yahoo.com thanks

I really like this cell phone car starter. Can someone please send me information on where I can get one or how to make one.Thanks!d_k_wall@yahoo.com

This is very interesting, I am looking for a remote start option for my E60 BMW and if I can just SMS my car to start up, that would wonderful. Please send me instructions to jeffreywhelan@hotmail.com

I'm about to start working on a similar project, if anyone would be willing to share anything they've discovered relating to this it would be GREATLY appreciated. Anything helpful can be sent to mark.lempicki@gmail.com

Ilike the idea. If someone doesn't mind I would like a copy of their plans on how to build it. Thanks, Jim. jlb3nn@gmail.com

I'm working on a similar project. So far we have keyless entry via cell phone. We're planning to add engine start/stop and internet control. You can get some more information here: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/422747/cell_phone_keyless_entry/

hehe. i got this same idea recently, and ill be if people havent already done it.but a simple tip to save sending text at least one way is to do it online if ur near a computer from www.811.com free sms text messaging.then you wont waste units etc. thank you guys for the awesome ideas and help. ill let ya know how it goes.

We are marketing a remote engine starter/car alarm system operated by your cell (or land line) phone. Check out our website at www.sentinelcaralarms.com

The Toyota Prius ALREADY can idle without the keys, and without being drivable by a thief.

already have it... but it was set up so you send a txt to ur car and it starts... get delayed ? send another and it shuts the car off... you can also un/lock doors and i believe disable the started, but im not sure on the last

heres one... http://www.connect2car.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=6

theres was another one that a car mag i had did a special on... but i dont remember which mag, or when