How the PBS-X Module Adds Push Button Start to Any Existing Remote Start or Alarm

Already Have a Remote Start or Alarm? You’re Not Starting from Scratch

Many vehicle owners and builders find themselves in a common predicament. You’ve already invested in a high-quality aftermarket alarm or a reliable remote start system. It works well, you trust it, and you’re familiar with the remotes. But now, you want to take the next step and add the modern convenience and clean look of a push-button start. The problem is, you don’t want to rip out your entire existing setup and start over.

This is a frequent challenge in the world of vehicle customization. You want to add push button start to an alarm system you already own, but most solutions on the market are all-or-nothing. They require you to adopt their entire ecosystem, including their fobs, their brain module, and their specific wiring scheme. It feels wasteful to discard a perfectly good system just to get one additional feature.

We recognized this frustration among builders and created a solution specifically for this scenario. You do not have to start from scratch. You can upgrade your remote start system or alarm by integrating a push-button start, rather than replacing it. It's a path that respects your previous investment and provides a clean, logical way to enhance your vehicle's functionality.

Why Most Push Button Start Kits Force You to Replace What Already Works

The majority of aftermarket keyless ignition kits are designed as complete, standalone systems. They have their own control module, their own security protocols, and their own proprietary key fobs. This integrated design is great if you are starting with a blank slate, but it creates significant remote start compatibility issues if you already have an aftermarket system installed.

These all-in-one kits cannot communicate with the alarm or remote start from another brand. The systems are, by design, closed loops. To use their push-button start, you must use their fob to disarm their security. If you have another alarm system, you end up in a frustrating situation where you need two different fobs to operate the car—one to disarm your existing alarm and another to authorize the new ignition. This is clumsy and defeats the purpose of a streamlined, modern upgrade.

This highlights the fundamental aftermarket push button start limitations. Most manufacturers want to lock you into their ecosystem completely. They don't offer a way to simply add one piece of functionality. This forces builders into an expensive and time-consuming choice: either live with a clunky two-fob setup or tear out a perfectly good system to install another one from a single brand.

What the PBS-X Module Is — and What It Isn’t

We engineered the PBS-X to solve this specific problem. The "X" in its name stands for "eXpansion." The PBS-X expansion module is a one-of-a-kind product designed to add push-button start functionality to vehicles that already have a premium-grade aftermarket alarm or remote start system.

It is important to understand what the PBS-X is not. It is not a complete, standalone keyless ignition system. It does not come with its own key fobs or its own security brain. It has no remote-controlled outputs for door locks or trunk release. The PBS-X is a dedicated push button start add-on module that works in conjunction with your existing system.

Think of it as a bridge. It connects the physical start button in your dash to the "disarm" signal from your current alarm or remote start. It intelligently piggybacks on the security you already have, enabling push-to-start capability without creating conflicts or requiring you to carry extra remotes. It is a purpose-built solution for a very common builder dilemma.

How PBS-X Integrates with Existing Alarms and Remote Start Systems

The genius of the PBS-X is in its simplicity and its logic. The module is designed to listen for a specific signal from your existing security system: the unlock or disarm command. In a typical installation, the push button start integration is straightforward.

The PBS-X module is wired into the vehicle’s ignition circuits, much like a standard push-button start system. However, its trigger wire is connected to the disarm/unlock output of your existing alarm or remote start module. This creates a clear hierarchy of command.

The PBS-X remains dormant until it receives the "all clear" signal from your primary security system. When you press the disarm or unlock button on your current remote fob, your alarm system sends out its signal. The PBS-X sees this signal and "wakes up," authorizing the push-button start circuit. At that point, and only at that point, the start button in your dash becomes active, allowing you to start the engine. It’s a seamless alarm controlled push button start experience that leverages the hardware you already own.

How Push Button Start Is Activated Using Your Existing Transmitters

The user experience with a PBS-X is incredibly intuitive. You continue to use the same remote transmitters (fobs) that came with your current alarm or remote start system. There are no new fobs to add to your keychain.

The process is simple:

Approach the Vehicle: As you normally would, you press the "unlock" or "disarm" button on your existing remote.
System Activation: Your alarm or remote start system disarms. Simultaneously, the PBS-X module detects this signal and activates the ignition control circuits.
Start the Engine: You can now get in the vehicle, put your foot on the brake, and press the newly installed start button to fire up the engine.

When you park and arm your existing alarm, the PBS-X deactivates, rendering the start button inert. This ensures your vehicle remains secure under the protection of your primary alarm system. You get the full functionality of a push button start using your remote, without any of the complications of a dual-system install. It's a remote activated push button start that feels like it was part of the original system from day one.

Why PBS-X Is Different from Traditional Push Button Start Systems

The key difference between the PBS-X and our other systems (like the PBS-I, PBS-II, or iKey Premier) is that the PBS-X does not provide its own security layer. It is a slave to your existing system. Our traditional systems are complete, self-contained solutions that use our proprietary RFID fobs and encrypted communication to provide both security and ignition control.

When comparing push button start vs remote start systems, people often think they are mutually exclusive. The PBS-X proves they are not. It allows these two technologies to coexist harmoniously. It is a unique push button start system because it is designed for cooperation, not replacement.

This makes the PBS-X a highly specialized tool. It doesn’t have the onboard 60A relays of the PBS-I because it assumes the high-current switching is handled by your existing remote start unit. It doesn't have the accessory outputs of the PBS-II because your alarm system already controls your door locks. It is lean, focused, and designed to do one job exceptionally well: add a start button to an existing setup.

When PBS-X Is the Right Solution — and When It’s Not

Honest guidance prevents frustration. While the PBS-X is a perfect solution for many, it is not the right choice for every build. Understanding push button start compatibility is key.

The PBS-X is the right solution if:

You have a high-quality aftermarket alarm or remote start already installed and you trust it.
You want to keep using your existing remote fobs.
You want to add the aesthetic and convenience of a push-button start without rewiring your entire security setup.
You are comfortable with the security level provided by your current system.

The PBS-X is not the right solution if:

You are starting from scratch with no existing alarm or remote start. (In this case, the PBS-I, PBS-II, or iKey Premier is a better, more integrated choice).
You have a cheap, unreliable alarm and want to upgrade your security. (The PBS-X relies on your existing security; it does not improve it).
You want advanced features like passive keyless entry or integrated RFID security. (These are features of our standalone systems).

Knowing is PBS-X right for my car comes down to evaluating what you already have and what you want to achieve.

Ideal Use Cases for the PBS-X Module

The PBS-X shines in several common build scenarios where its unique design provides maximum value.

One ideal use case is the long-term project car. A builder may have installed a top-tier alarm system five years ago but now wants to modernize the interior with a push-button start. The PBS-X allows them to add push button start to their custom car without undoing previous work.

Another perfect application is for a vehicle with a very specific, high-end remote start system that has features the owner doesn't want to lose, such as extended range or two-way communication. They can keep that functionality and simply add the start button.

Finally, it’s a great fit for a push button start hot rod that already has a basic alarm for door poppers. The PBS-X can be added to the system to provide ignition control, creating a simple, unified setup controlled by a single remote.

Installation Reality: What Builders and Installers Appreciate About PBS-X

For a professional installer, time is money and reliability is paramount. The PBS-X is respected in the installer community because it is a clean, logical, and dependable solution. It is a truly installer friendly push button start module.

Because it is not a complete security system, the wiring is significantly simpler than a full keyless ignition install. The installer doesn’t have to run new antennas, mount a siren, or wire in door lock relays. They are primarily focused on the ignition wiring and tapping into the disarm signal of the existing unit. This dramatically reduces installation time.

Builders appreciate that it provides a path for professional ignition upgrades without creating electronic conflicts. Trying to make two separate security systems work together is a recipe for electrical gremlins. The PBS-X avoids this entirely by operating as a subordinate module, not a competing one. It’s a smart, efficient solution that installers can be confident in.

Why PBS-X Makes Sense for Long-Term Builds and Future Upgrades

Car projects are rarely "finished." They evolve over time. The PBS-X is a strategic component for this kind of phased build process. It offers a way to create a more future-proof ignition system.

You can install a quality remote start system today, knowing that you have a clear and easy upgrade path to add a push-button start in the future with the PBS-X. This modular approach allows you to spread out the cost and labor of a build over time.

This makes the PBS-X more than just a workaround; it's a key piece of a flexible and expandable keyless ignition strategy. It gives builders and owners the freedom to upgrade their vehicles in stages, without ever having to discard previously installed high-quality components.

How PBS-X Fits into the Digital Guard Dawg System Lineup

While the PBS-X operates differently from our standalone systems, it is still a core part of the Digital Guard Dawg family. It embodies our engineering philosophy of solving real-world problems for builders. Our full lineup of Digital Guard Dawg push button start systems offers a solution for every possible scenario.

Starting Fresh: Choose PBS-I, PBS-II, or iKey Premier for a fully integrated system with our industry-leading RFID security.
Upgrading an Existing System: Choose PBS-X to add push-button start functionality while retaining your current alarm or remote start.

Each of our RFID keyless ignition options (in the case of our standalone systems) and expansion modules is built with the same commitment to quality and is supported by our US-based, MECP-certified technical support team. The PBS-X simply fills a critical gap in the market that other manufacturers have ignored.

PBS-X vs Replacing Your Entire System: A Smarter Upgrade Path

When faced with the desire to add a push-button start, many owners assume their only option is a full replacement. A quick push button start cost comparison reveals the flaw in this thinking. A full replacement means paying for components you already have: a brain module, fobs, a shock sensor, and relays.

The PBS-X offers a much smarter path. The choice to upgrade vs replace your ignition system becomes clear. By leveraging your existing alarm or remote start, you are only paying for the specific functionality you want to add: the push-button start itself. This is not only more cost-effective but also significantly less labor-intensive. It is the definition of working smarter, not harder.

Add Push Button Start Without Giving Up the System You Trust

You invested in your current alarm or remote start for a reason. You trust it. You shouldn't have to abandon that trust to get the modern convenience of a push-button start. The PBS-X allows you to add push button start safely and reliably, creating a hybrid system that gives you the best of both worlds.

It is a reliable push button start upgrade that respects your existing hardware and your familiarity with it. You get the clean dash and seamless starting experience you want, all while using the remote fobs you already have on your keychain. It is the logical, no-compromise solution for taking your vehicle to the next level.

Learn More About the PBS-X Push Button Start Expansion Module

If you have an existing alarm or remote start and are ready to add the finishing touch of a push-button start, the PBS-X was designed for you. Explore the product specifications and see how this unique push button start expansion module can integrate with your vehicle. The PBS-X module is the smartest way to upgrade, not replace, the system you already trust.