I built a remote starter for a small engine using a crane remote with an arduino board. As soon as the engine starts to crank the receiver turns off thus losing connection to the remote. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening other than using an alternative power source? Thanks in advance
Almost certainly the starter motor is pulling the voltage too low for the Arduino to operate.
Try powering the Arduino with 5v from a 7805 voltage regulator.
If none of that makes sense then make a simple pencil drawing showing how everything is connected and post a photo of the drawing. See this Simple Image Posting Guide
...R
Hi,
Welcome to the forum.
Please read the post at the start of any forum , entitled "How to use this Forum".
OR
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,148850.0.html.
Then look down to item #7 about how to post your code.
It will be formatted in a scrolling window that makes it easier to read.
Can you please post a copy of your circuit, in CAD or a picture of a hand drawn circuit in jpg, png?
Thanks.. Tom... 
Start by using a SEPIC converter, if that does not fix it they place an isolation diode from the power source to a large capacitor then connect the capacitor to the SEPIC converter.