Remote Start Occasionally Does Not Work

[BlaineBug]

Every now and then the remote start in my 2019 Yukon will not work.  I do NOT have any check engine light on my dash at any other time.  I am aware that a check engine light will disable the remote start until cleared, but that isn't what is happening here.

 

Thus far I have only experienced this issue when remote starting in my garage after the vehicle has not been driven all evening and night.  I do not lock my Yukon at night, if that matters.  I'll press lock and then immediately hold the remote start button, and occasionally, it will not start.  If I look through the window, I'll see the check engine light illuminated on the dash.  I can try to remote start again, and the same result will occur.  However, if I unlock, open any door, close the door, lock, and remote start again, it will work perfectly and remote start just as it should.  Every single time that the remote start fails, if I follow this sequence of operations, it will function perfectly.

 

Brainstorming, it is my thought that perhaps I am interrupting the fuel pump prime procedure.  You are probably aware that if you haven't driven your truck in a number of hours, you will hear the fuel pump prime when you either lock, unlock, or open one of the doors of the truck.  So, if sitting all night, pressing the lock button "wakes up" the truck and causes the fuel pump to prime.  My only thought is perhaps I am pressing the remote start button and not allowing for a brief delay?  At the same time I am wondering why it seems to only reset itself once I open and close a door.

This applies to all 2015-2020 full size SUVs, but will also apply to all 2014-2019 full size trucks, since just about all, if not all, of the electronics are identical.

[Bob2C]

Every now and then the remote start in my 2019 Yukon will not work.  I do NOT have any check engine light on my dash at any other time.  I am aware that a check engine light will disable the remote start until cleared, but that isn't what is happening here.
 
Thus far I have only experienced this issue when remote starting in my garage after the vehicle has not been driven all evening and night.  I do not lock my Yukon at night, if that matters.  I'll press lock and then immediately hold the remote start button, and occasionally, it will not start.  If I look through the window, I'll see the check engine light illuminated on the dash.  I can try to remote start again, and the same result will occur.  However, if I unlock, open any door, close the door, lock, and remote start again, it will work perfectly and remote start just as it should.  Every single time that the remote start fails, if I follow this sequence of operations, it will function perfectly.
 
Brainstorming, it is my thought that perhaps I am interrupting the fuel pump prime procedure.  You are probably aware that if you haven't driven your truck in a number of hours, you will hear the fuel pump prime when you either lock, unlock, or open one of the doors of the truck.  So, if sitting all night, pressing the lock button "wakes up" the truck and causes the fuel pump to prime.  My only thought is perhaps I am pressing the remote start button and not allowing for a brief delay?  At the same time I am wondering why it seems to only reset itself once I open and close a door.

This applies to all 2015-2020 full size SUVs, but will also apply to all 2014-2019 full size trucks, since just about all, if not all, of the electronics are identical.

Never had a remote start issue, even after sitting for days. Both app and key fob will start it. Interesting to see the outcome.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BlaineBug]

2 minutes ago, Bob2C said:

Never had a remote start issue, even after sitting for days. Both app and key fob will start it. Interesting to see the outcome.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It occasionally did this last winter as well, which is why I recognize the sequence of operations.

[SARNCAN]

If I look through the window, I'll see the check engine light illuminated on the dash. 

With that been said, does that mean you had a check engine light for a short period of time only?
If so, have you tried to scan for codes?

[BlaineBug]

17 minutes ago, SARNCAN said:

With that been said, does that mean you had a check engine light for a short period of time only?
If so, have you tried to scan for codes?

When you normally remote start, the check engine light always turns on, but turns off after a successful start.  There are no codes.

[JimCost2014]

20 hours ago, BlaineBug said:

When you normally remote start, the check engine light always turns on, but turns off after a successful start.  There are no codes.

 

20 hours ago, SARNCAN said:

With that been said, does that mean you had a check engine light for a short period of time only?
If so, have you tried to scan for codes?

If you have a CEL (light on constant) that is present, the remote start will not work at all, it is a safety feature.

[BlaineBug]

4 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

 

If you have a CEL (light on constant) that is present, the remote start will not work at all, it is a safety feature.

I do not, though.  From now on I will leave a bit of a delay in between pressing the lock and remote start buttons.  I'll test my theory that I'm interrupting the fuel pump prime by pressing the remote start button too soon.  That's about all I can think of.  With that being said, the CEL always illuminates with a remote start, even a successful one.  The CEL will turn off once started.  In fact that is the only light that illuminates on the cluster when remote starting.

Edited December 25, 2020 by BlaineBug

[JimCost2014]

14 minutes ago, BlaineBug said:

I do not, though.  From now on I will leave a bit of a delay in between pressing the lock and remote start buttons.  I'll test my theory that I'm interrupting the fuel pump prime by pressing the remote start button too soon.  That's about all I can think of.  With that being said, the CEL always illuminates with a remote start, even a successful one.  The CEL will turn off once started.  In fact that is the only light that illuminates on the cluster when remote starting.

Sorry, light stays on after you start the rig with the key (fob).

 

There is always a lag with the remote start (last button pushed, to time vehicle starts), pushing the buttons in sequence on the fob, no matter how fast should not make a difference on how it starts.

 

From the manual:

Starting the Engine Using Remote Start 1. Press and release Q. 2. Immediately press and hold / until the turn signal lamps flash or for at least four seconds. When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn on. The doors will be locked and the climate control system may come on.

Edited December 25, 2020 by JimCost2014

[BlaineBug]

Yes, that's what I do.  Not sure what they mean by Q but that should be LOCK.  You always have to press lock before holding the remote start button, even if it is locked.  Same way with Nissan and likely others too.

[JimCost2014]

7 minutes ago, BlaineBug said:

Yes, that's what I do.  Not sure what they mean by Q but that should be LOCK.  You always have to press lock before holding the remote start button, even if it is locked.  Same way with Nissan and likely others too.

It pasted with letters rather than symbols, lock then remote start. Sorry, did not catch that.

 

I know with any other GM product I have owned (this is my 4th with factory remote start), when you have the occasional times remote start does not work,  there was always a problem coming.

 

At this point, maybe you have a battery that is failing? They do not last very long with the amount of draw from the truck, and really do not give any warning signs when they die. 

Is it lagging a little when cranking since winter is here?

 

 

 

 

[BlaineBug]

I experienced this symptom a couple of times last year as well.  Opening and closing any door always resets it, and then I was able to remote start.  Of course by then I wouldn't need to, but just to make sure it works, it always remote starts after that.

 

As I mentioned, if the remote start fails and you try again, it fails continually until a door is opened and closed, in which case it will work.

I've also had the battery tested 3 times last January at 3 different auto parts stores.  I've never had any difficulty starting, and the starter itself is not weak at all and neither are any other electronics.

Edited December 25, 2020 by BlaineBug

[Waffle34]

hmm 2 thoughts:

if the hood is open remote start does not work either - maybe tht sensor is JUST on the edge of working and the cold makes it occasionally not work till you open and close the door that jars it just right.

 

ive noticed very very occasionally my 18 while cranking normally says "Low Battery Start vehicle Immediately" message pops up on the dash screen...no idea why, never has had issues starting.

[BlaineBug]

I've never received a low battery warning ever.  Nor have I ever seen a hood open alert, unless I had actually opened the hood.