Diagnosing a faulty remote car starter
Remote car starters are convenient ways of starting up your engine without actually being inside the vehicle. They come in handy especially during summer or winter, where you can start the car and allow it to warm up/cool down before you start driving.
However, there are some cases where the remote starter fails to turn on your vehicle. What could be wrong? Start by checking for the following issues.
1. Check the bonnet pin
As a security measure, all remote starters have a pin attached underneath the bonnet. This pin ensures that the car can't be started while the bonnet is open.
How does it work? When the bonnet is closed, the pin is compressed and the remote starter can function as normal. As soon as the bonnet is opened, the pin springs upwards and disables the remote start function.
If you notice that the lights of your key fob flash but the car doesn't start, check if your bonnet is properly closed.
2. Check the programming
Remote starters are typically programmed to send and receive signals from your vehicle. There are some cases where disconnecting or servicing your battery may cause the remote starter to lose its programming memory. If this happens, you will notice that the remote starter doesn't light up at all, even after pressing all buttons.
To reprogram your device, contact the technician who installed it on your vehicle. A car locksmith can also reprogram the remote starter to function as it should.
3. Check your coolant level
For the remote start to work, your vehicle needs to be in good condition. Low coolant or engine oil levels can interfere with the remote start functionality.
In particular, if your engine oil pressure is low or your coolant is too hot, the remote start may fail to work. This often happens after you've been driving the car for a while. Allow the vehicle to cool for a few minutes before starting it.
4. Check the battery on your remote starter
You may simply need to replace the battery in your remote starter. If you notice the lights on your remote starter are flashing dimly, purchase a new battery.
Also, make sure that you're not trying to start the car too many times in succession. You should always press firmly on the start button for a few seconds, and release the button to see if your vehicle responds. Wait for at least 30 seconds before trying again.