Remote start system for a vehicle having a data communications bus and related methods

A remote start control system for a vehicle comprising a data communications bus extending within the vehicle, and a plurality of vehicle devices communicating with one another over the data communications bus, the plurality of vehicle devices comprising at least one vehicle sensor associated with starting an engine of the vehicle, the remote start control system comprising:

• a remote start transmitter;
• a receiver to be positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals from said remote start transmitter;
• and
• a vehicle remote start controller to be connected to the data communications bus extending within the vehicle for communication thereover with the at least one vehicle sensor associated with starting the engine of the vehicle, said vehicle remote start controller also connected to said receiver and being responsive to signals from said remote start transmitter.

A remote start control system for a vehicle comprising a data communications bus extending within the vehicle, and a plurality of vehicle devices communicating with one another over the data communications bus, the plurality of vehicle devices comprising at least one vehicle controller associated with starting an engine of the vehicle, the remote start control system comprising:

• a remote start transmitter;
• a receiver to be positioned at the vehicle for receiving signals from said remote start transmitter;
• and
• a vehicle remote start controller to be connected to the data communications bus extending through the vehicle for communicating thereover with the at least one vehicle controller associated with starting the engine of the vehicle, said vehicle remote start controller also connected to said receiver and being responsive to signals from said remote start transmitter.

A method for remotely starting an engine in a vehicle comprising a data communications bus extending within the vehicle, and a plurality of vehicle devices communicating with one another over the data communications bus, the plurality of vehicle devices comprising at least one vehicle device associated with starting an engine of the vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving signals at the vehicle from a remote start transmitter;
• connecting a vehicle remote start controller to the data communications bus extending within the vehicle for communication thereover with the at least one vehicle device associated with starting the engine of the vehicle;
• and
• using the vehicle remote start controller to start the vehicle engine based upon signals received at the vehicle from the remote start transmitter and based upon communication over the data communications bus with the at least one vehicle device associated with starting the engine of the vehicle.