Remote start - no crank

EaZ8 · February 14, 2015

ive got a 14 sierra SLE and it seems that the remote start dies every other day.

i hit lock 2x then push and hold the start, lights flash then no crank.

next day works every time...

ive taken 2 videos of it now to show my dealership, it is a intermittent issue but annoying as hell when you want to arm up the truck because its -20 get out there only to see ice still on the windshield and a cold engine....

anyone else have remote start issues?

dealership (who im on extremely good terms with) is aware of the issue, but i havent had them look at it yet.

does anyone know what the remote start perimeters are?

run time(10 min i believe), max temp, how many times it will let you start it in a row (if its even limited) and any chance that it has issues when below certain temps?

edit - watching my videos its had to tell that im double clicking...ill have to make another one for te dealership and i guess narrate what im doing.

redwngr · February 14, 2015

Push the lock once.

Push and hold the crank for at least 4 seconds.

I often start it from a position where I can't see it. I use a count of 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 to be sure I hold it long enough (learned to pace the count by counting while watching/listening to truck)

You get 2 starts, then ignition must be cycled with the key.

Each start is 10 minutes.

If the the second start is done while the first start is running the truck will still shut off 10 mins after second start.

Remote start will not operate if hood is open, the key is in the ignition or if there is an emission fault and the CEL is on.

The engine will turn off during a remote vehicle start if: The coolant temperature gets too high or if the oil pressure gets low.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · February 14, 2015

Did you use the OnStar Remotelink app? I've had a couple times where I would play with it using it to remote start the truck and shut it off with the app, just seeing how long it takes to do it. After I do that the key fob remote start doesn't work unless I start the truck with the key. So maybe that's what's happening to you. I guess it's a safety feature where if you use your app that it won't let you use the key fob until you put the key in.

EaZ8 · February 15, 2015

Push the lock once.

Push and hold the crank for at least 4 seconds.

I often start it from a position where I can't see it. I use a count of 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 to be sure I hold it long enough (learned to pace the count by counting while watching/listening to truck)

You get 2 starts, then ignition must be cycled with the key.

Each start is 10 minutes.

If the the second start is done while the first start is running the truck will still shut off 10 mins after second start.

Remote start will not operate if hood is open, the key is in the ignition or if there is an emission fault and the CEL is on.

The engine will turn off during a remote vehicle start if: The coolant temperature gets too high or if the oil pressure gets low.

thanks for those specs.

i was within range...about 4 or 5 feet away when i made the video. i usually park against a brick wall in the parkinglot at work so when i lock and start i can see the lights flash/glow against the wall (at night)

i know i held the button long enough, truck made the flash of the headlights to acknowledge that i had held the start.

Did you use the OnStar Remotelink app? I've had a couple times where I would play with it using it to remote start the truck and shut it off with the app, just seeing how long it takes to do it. After I do that the key fob remote start doesn't work unless I start the truck with the key. So maybe that's what's happening to you. I guess it's a safety feature where if you use your app that it won't let you use the key fob until you put the key in.

this is a possibility...honestly you guys are going to say im wasting fuel like crazy but on extremely cold days(below -20) i usually use the app from my office about a hr before i leave, let it time out, then fire her up again and let it time out.. then fire it up as i walk to my truck from my office (5 to 10 min walk...long walk though the building and long parkinglot)

then if the last start times out i usually start is when im within sight of the truck.

now, with the info posted above about you only get 2 starts then need the key i wonder if i really got 3 remote starts from the app.. but i know up til last week i was able to start it as i walked to the truck.

but to take the onstar app out of the equation, this morning at like 430 am i had to get up for work, fresh start no use of remote app and she didnt start....so i dont think the remote app is a factor.

EaZ8 · February 15, 2015

what was the thing with the exhaust overheating in cold weather climates??

is tat from the servo in the exhaust (the flapper valve) i havent made any changes to mine, maybe thats part fo the issue.

i know they are used to create more backpressure for more low end torque. (my bike has a electronic one on it that i really need to get rid of...)

i wonder if my remote start issue is because of a frozen servo.

EaZ8 · February 15, 2015

so the remote app is no longer a factor....

today leaving for work at 5am is was -25 out (give or take a little..) i used just the key fob remote heard the honk from inside my house and assume she fired up.

went outside to a cold truck...not impressed but again now this is on camera as well as i have cctv on my house. dealer has yet to see the vehicle for this issue...and its reall the only issue ive had)

i cant take it in this week now, i got stuck with a bunch of overtime i didnt want... so hopefully next week i can get in to the dealer.

fondupot · February 15, 2015

Did you have the parking brake engaged or the hazards? Remote start wont work when either of those are engaged.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · February 16, 2015

Did you have the parking brake engaged or the hazards? Remote start wont work when either of those are engaged.

Not true. It might not work with hazards on, but I make sure to always push the parking brake in at home since it's on a slight hill and I park on the street. Everytime I start it up in the cold I do remote start from inside the house and it has no problem starting with the parking brake on. I push it in all the way also. The only time it didn't remote start with the fob was because I played with the Remotelink app on my phone and apparently it's a safety thing where if you use the app then the fob doesn't start it unless you go and put the key in it.

EaZ8 · February 16, 2015

Did you have the parking brake engaged or the hazards? Remote start wont work when either of those are engaged.

parking brake is always on when shes parked.. old habit from driving a manual.

i dont think ive ever even tested the hazard light switch on the truck lol (and ide rather not need to)

txchevy4ever · February 16, 2015

thanks for those specs.

i was within range...about 4 or 5 feet away when i made the video. i usually park against a brick wall in the parkinglot at work so when i lock and start i can see the lights flash/glow against the wall (at night)

i know i held the button long enough, truck made the flash of the headlights to acknowledge that i had held the start.

this is a possibility...honestly you guys are going to say im wasting fuel like crazy but on extremely cold days(below -20) i usually use the app from my office about a hr before i leave, let it time out, then fire her up again and let it time out.. then fire it up as i walk to my truck from my office (5 to 10 min walk...long walk though the building and long parkinglot)

then if the last start times out i usually start is when im within sight of the truck.

now, with the info posted above about you only get 2 starts then need the key i wonder if i really got 3 remote starts from the app.. but i know up til last week i was able to start it as i walked to the truck.

but to take the onstar app out of the equation, this morning at like 430 am i had to get up for work, fresh start no use of remote app and she didnt start....so i dont think the remote app is a factor.

You only get 2 starts.