For doug26364, besides the safeguards that jbarr74 mentioned, there are also others (or at least should be on a quality installation):
- on hood switch (so that the remote starter can't start the engine with the hood raised (and possibly someone working on it).
- an interrupt to the running engine if the brake pedal is pressed (usually required to change gears) and the key hasn't been inserted
- a maximum run time (from typically 7 to 20 minutes) if there hasn't been a key placed in the ignition (and it turned to ON).
Some of the remotes are so small (mine is about the size of a thumb, just a single start button) that I don't think the circuitry for the remote transmission is that complicated. My wireless house doorbell goes off occasionally, I assume from spurious signals around us. Maybe your starter had the same problem.
For those wanting to get one, I'd recommend paying a bit more to get a decent installation. I know 2 people that went the Pep Boys route, and both had issues.
Also, in both cars that I had them in (an 02 Toyota, and 06 Acura), once the car is remotely started, the factory remote was disabled. With my 02 car, the remote starter had it's own buttons for door unlock (also trunk, but they weren't able to get that to work). For the 06 one, I either need to unlock the door and/or trunk before I start my car remotely; once started that way, I can only use the key.
Jeff