Astroflex RS-304 Instruction Manual

REMOTE CONTROLE ENGINE STARTER

WITH BUILT-IN

ALARM SYSTEM

MODEL RS-304

Designed for use in all automatic

transmission , gasoline or diesel

powered, fuel injected vehicles

(Carburetor or throttle-assisted

engines require an optional

solenoid kit). Do not install

in vehicles equipped with

a manual transmission

Thank you for choosing the ASTROSTART™Remote control
Engine Starter. Your ASTROSTART™ is the product of
extensive research by a company specializing in the design
of high quality electronic equipment for automotive vehicles.
ASTROSTART™ is designed to provide years of reliable,
trouble-free service. Its advanced microprocessor circuitry
incorporates billions of possible access codes to prevent
interaction with other remote controlled vehicles.
ASTROSTART’s safe and convenient features will make your
life easier.

Please take time to read these instructions carefully. Some
features may not be installed or applicable to your vehicle.

Safety Precautions!

•

Always turn OFF the main switch when parking your

vehicle in a closed, non-ventilated garage or when the
vehicle is being serviced.

•

Always turn OFF the main switch when ASTROSTART™

is not being used for extended periods of time.

•

Keep the transmitter away from children’s reach.

•

For proper ASTROSTART™ operation, regular engine

tune-ups are recommended.

•

Always turn OFF the wiper switch before leaving vehicle.

•

Test your hood pin switch regularly to ensure safe

operation. This switch stops the engine when hood is
open.

•

Check for any local legislation that would prohibit leaving

a running vehicle unattended on public streets.

•

Always advise service personnel that your vehicle is

equipped with ASTROSTART™.

•

A yearly check up of your Remote Starter is strongly

recommended. Contact the ASTROSTART™ dealer in
your area.

BEFORE YOU USE YOUR TROSTART™

•

Select the desired setting for the heater/AC system

(when ASTROSTART™ starts the vehicle the heating /
AC system will resume operation).

•

Make sure that the vehicle is in the PARK position.

USING THE MAIN SWITCH

The astrostart™ main switch should be mounted under the
dash. It includes an ON-OFF rocker switch and a small LED
indicator light. Turning OFF this switch prevents using remote
start functions. Optional features remain active. The LED
indicator flashes user information codes.

THE REMOTE TRANSMITTER

A small 12 Volt alkaline battery (GP23A) powers your remote.
Under normal use, it should last approximately 6 months.
Range may be affected by a weak battery or by location (ie.
crowded parking lot, metal structures, hydro poles, etc.).
Using microprocessor-controlled
additional ASTROSTART™ transmitters can be added at any
time (for a total of 4). See your ASTROSTART™ dealer.

USING YOUR REMOTE CONTROL
1, 2 or 3 Button Transmitter

Press on the desired button for 2 second. While pressing, the
LED will flash and stay on for 1 second while your command
is being transmitted. Commands will not be transmitted when
the button is not pressed for long enough (LED does not stay
on).

Example: Start - Push and hold the “A” button until the LED
shuts off.

4 BUTTON TRANSMITTER

Your remote control has four buttons and four LED indicators.
Each LED represents a separate group of functions. To
select the desired group, press the “P” button as many times
as required to light up the LED corresponding to the group of
functions you wish to access.

Push “P” Once
the first group of functions.
Push “P” Twice ¾Second LED lights up (ORANGE)

Push “P” Three times¾Third LED lights up (YELLOW)
Push “P” Four times ¾Fourth LED lights up (GREEN)

Example:To transmit “Start “ function, the reference card
instructs you to:

• Push “P” once, RED LED flashes.

• Push “A” once, engine will start.

To transmit “Stop”, repeat the same commands.

¾First LED lights up (RED) selecting

selecting the second group of
functions.

selecting the third group of functions.
selecting the fourth group of

CODE LEARNING

, up to 3

UNDERSTANDING THE COMMANDS

To simplify reading, remote control commands are
abbreviated. All commands in this manual will be listed in the
following manner:eg.

Command Procedure

• 1 A Push “P” once (1), Push “A” once (1)

• 3 B,C Push “P” three (3) times,

• 3 A & B Push “P” three (3) times,

COMMAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To confirm most transmitted commands, the
ASTROSTART™ system will flash the parking lights and / or
honk the horn.These confirmations are codded to provide
system status information to the user.

eg. Code Description
(horn 1, parking 2) Horn will honk once (1),

THE REFERENCE CARD

A reference card is enclosed with the manual. This card lists
all available functions and the corresponding button
sequence to use. Keep this card on your person when using
your ASTROSTART™ system.

Push “B” once (1), then “C” once (1)

Push “A” & “B” simultaneously.

Parking lights will flash
twice (2).

Made in Canada by:

ASTROFLEX Inc.

Patents Pending

U.S. 4.345.554

CDN 1.130.426

O
F
F

O
N

RS-304 COMMAND CODES

PRESS DESCRIPTION ACKNOWLEDGE

1A Start or stop vehicle (continuous mode) park lights flash
1B Lock & arm without siren chirp park lights flash

(dome light OFF)
1C Unlock & disarm without siren chirp park lights flash
(dome light ON)
2A Start /only with horn acknowledge park lights flash,(horn)
(continuous mode)
2B Lock without arming park lights flash

(dome light OFF)
2C Release trunk Unlock and disarm park lights flash, (siren)

(dome light ON)
3B Lock and arm with siren chirp park lights flash, (siren)
3C Unlock and disarm with siren chirp park lights flash, (siren)
3AA Horn joke horn 7 honk
3B&A Temporarily disable internal park lights flash

shock sensor & supplimentary sensor (4 times)
3BC Auxiliarry output Toggle
4C Activate/deactivate low temperature park lights flash

mode without horn acknowledge
4AA Car Finder , toggle horn ON/OFF park lights flash, horn

without arming or disarming alarm
4CC Activate/deactivate low temperature park lights flash, horn

mode with horn acknowledge

COMMANDS
START OR STOP (1A)

This is the most common command. To start the engine by
remote, enter 1A (horn: 0, parking lights: 1). The
ASTROSTART™ automatically adjusts the cranking cycle to
match your vehicle requirements. Proper operation is
acknowledged by (horn: 0, parking lights: 2).

TO STOP

the engine, enter same sequence again (1 A).

START WITH A HORN ACKNOWLEDGMENT (2 A)

This command is used when you can not see the vehicle, the
vehicle horn will sound when the engine has been
successfully started. Enter 2 A, the system will confirm
receiving the command (horn: 1 parking lights: 1). The
ASTROSTART™ will start the engine.To confirm that the
engine is running, another acknowledgment signal follows
(horn: 2, parking lights: 2).

ENGINE RUN TIME

The engine will shut off automatically after the chosen run
time has expired. The parking lights will remain lit while the
engine is running by remote.

Note

: Run time is programmable (the factory preset is 15

minutes). See the User Programming section.

WHEN YOU GET IN YOUR VEHICLE...

When entering your vehicle, do not touch brake pedal (this
will shut the engine off). Turn the ignition key to the RUN
position. Drive away as usual ASTROSTART™ will shut
OFF by itself. The optional starter kill connection (see your
dealer) prevents accidental starter grinding if key turned to

START

position while the engine is already runnin by remote

control.

WHAT STOPS THE ENGINE?

For your safety, the engine will stop and/or will not start if:

•

The transmitter sends the STOP (1A) command.

•

The hood is opened.

•

The brake pedal is depressed.

•

The transmission is shifted out of the PARK or NEUTRAL

positions.

•

The engine over-rev’s.

•

The main switch is OFF.

•

The optional high temp/low oil pressure sensor is

triggered.

•

The optional alarm system has been triggered.

IF ENGINE DOES NOT START....

If your ASROSTART™ is not successful in starting the
engine on the first try it will wait a few seconds and try again
(up to two more times, as set by the dealer). If the engine
does not start after several attempts the system will shut off
and wait for the next command. If starting the engine
remains unsuccessful, the main LED flashes to show the
“Start Fail Code Description” by repeating double blinks.

RS-304 MAIN SWITCH RESPONSE CODES
BLINKS REASON FOR FAILURE TO START

1 Stopped by transmitter
2 Stopped when brake pedal was pressed
3 Stopped when ASTROSTART™ alarm tripped
4 Stopped due to low or undetectable engine RPM
5 Hood is open
6 Transmission not in park/neutral
7 Ignition key is in the ON position
8 ASTROSTART™ disable switch is in the OFF position
9 Engine run time has ended
10 Engine cranked but refused to start
11 Tach signal is present; engine is probably already running
12 Engine RPM was too high (over 3000 RPM)
13 Engine refused to start after all attempt
17 Problem detected on (high engine temperature) input
18 Diesel glow plug failed to turn off within 30 seconds (Diesel only)
19 Module internal error

CONTINUOUS MODE
(1 A, WHEN ENGINE RUNS MANUALLY)

In the Continuous Mode you are able to leave your engine
running after removing the key from the ignition (only when
the vehicle has been started using the ignition key). This is a
convenience feature that allows you to leave the vehicle for
short perriods of time while the climate controls and engine
remain active. Enter 1A while engine is running. The parking
lights will turn ON, the engine will keep running for the chosen
run time. Remove the ignition key, exit your vehicle and lock
all doors.The steering column will remain locked and all
security features remain active .

LOW TEMPERATURE MODE (SENTINEL)

The Low Temperature mode enables ASTROSTART™ to run
the engine

AUTOMATICALLY

for the programmed run time
when the engine block temperature falls below -15ºC (5º F)*.
All normal shut off devices (brake pedal, hood, etc...) will shut
the vehicle off. Turning the ignition key to RUN, depressing
the brake pedal, or starting by remote deactivates the Low
Temperature Mode.
* Activation temperature is programmable (the factory preset
is -15ºC). See the “User Programming“ section.

LOW TEMPERATURE MODE WITHOUT HORN
ACKNOWLEDGMENT (4 C)

•

To activate, enter 4 C (horn: 0, parking lights: 1).

•

To deactivate, enter 4 C again (horn: 0, parking lights: 2).

The ASTROSTART™ will acknowledge (horn: 0, parking
lights: 3) if for some reason this command cannot be
executed (ie. hood left open). If this is the case, check which
code the main switch LED is displaying and refer to “Start
Fail Code Description”.

LOW TEMPERATURE MODE WITH HORN
ACKNOWLEDGE (4 C, C)

•

To activate, enter 4 C, C (horn: 1, parking lights: 1).

•

To deactivate, enter 4 C, C again (horn: 2, parking lights: 2).

The ASTROSTART™ will acknowledge (horn:3, parking
lights:3) if for some reason this command cannot be executed
(ie. hood left open). If this is the case, check which code the
main switch LED is displaying and refer to “Start Fail Code
Description”.

CAR FINDER (4 A,A)

When this command is entered (4 A,A) the system will react
by sounding the vehicle horn and flashing the parking lights.
This feature is used to locate your vehicle (in a busy parking
lot etc..) To stop the Car Finder mode press (4 A,A) again.
The alarm will remain armed.

Note:

The duration of this feature is programmable (factory

preset is 60 seconds). See the “User Programmimg” section.

(HORN JOKE, 3 A, A)

The horn will give 7 short honk.

OPTIONAL COMMANDS
THE ASTROSTART™ ALARM SYSTEM

The ASTROSTART™ RS-304 alarm system protects your
vehicle and its content by monitoring all doors, the hood and
the ignition. Optional sensors can be added for better
protection (eg. shock sensor, see your ASTROSTART™
dealer).

WHEN THE ALARM IS TRIGGERED IT WILL:

•

Stop the engine and prevent it from starting until the

system is disarmed.

•

Flash the parking lights.

•

Flash the vehicle horn.

•

Sound the siren.
After the alarm duration the system will rearm automatically. If
any of the protected zones remain violated (door left open,

etc....) the alarm will arm and bypass the zone.

ARMING / DISARMING METHODS

There are two different ways to operate the alarm system:
The active and passive modes differ in the way you can arm
and disarm the alarm.

ACTIVE MODE

In the

, only the remote transmitter can arm or

disarm the alarm.

PASSIVE MODE

In the

, the system arms and disarms
automatically after an exit or entry delay. Arming and
disarming by remote is also possible in this mode, doing so
disable entry and exit delays.

Note:

This feature is programmable (the factory preset is

“Active”). See the “Users Programming”section.

ACTIVE MODE
Lock Doors And Arm With Siren Acknowledge (3 B)

(horn: 0, parking lights: 1, siren: 1)

Lock Doors And Arm Without Siren Acknowledge (1 B)

(horn: 0, parking lights: 1, siren: 0

)

This command locks all doors (optional interface) and arms
the alarm. The main switch LED will flash “code 1” to indicate
armed status. When arming, the ASTROSTART™ also
bypasses any zone that shows a violation (ex.:hood left
open). The horn and parking lights will acknowledge (horn: 1,
parking lights: 1, optional siren: 0).

To identify the zone violation,
Check the code displayed on the main switch LED.

Once corrected (ie. hood closed), the ASTROSTART™ will
acknowledge (horn: 1, parking lights: 1, optional siren: 1).