Aftermarket remote start issues

I just recently had an aftermarket remote start (Automate) installed in my 2015 SR5 Pre-runner. The temps here in Ohio have been ranging from -11 to 10 degrees in the morning the last few weeks. I recently moved here from Georgia back in August so this is my trucks first real winter.

Remote start worked for a few days. First -0 morning my truck did not start with the remote start (started right up with the key in the ignition)and my check engine light and trac off light were lit up. I contacted the company who installed and brought it in to them and of course as soon as the guy gets in my truck to check it out, the lights are no longer lit up on my dash. Took it home...same thing the next morning and so on. The remote start works perfectly fine throughout the day, just that initial first thing in the morning. So I have already wasted 3 days with the company trying to troubleshoot which turned into a new module and harness being installed. With the new module my truck started right up for the last two days until this morning (-2 degrees) first time woudnt start, second attempt started right up but again check engine and trac off lights. Any ideas before I make my way to the dealership and the company to remove the remote start?? My truck has been running like a champ since I bought her, only issues has been since the remote start.

 

Does the remote start have a temp default shut off? (Or rather have you researched if it does?)

 

You said the remote start works throughout the day. Just the initial start up. Correct? The cause of your concern is IT'S COLD! Most rigshabe issues turning over when cold. You have to turn it over just a little bit longer. The remote start may have an adjustment in it to allow a longer crank. If not, you may just have to live with it. Nothing wrong with the truck side. Dealership will more then likely tell you the same thing after they take money for diag and find nothing wrong.

 

Happens to mine. Somtimes 2 or 3 tries.. These past couple of weeks have been a bitch in the morning...

 

Sorta defeats the prime value of remote start, no?

Don't bother with wasting your money at the dealership. They are going to blame the remote.

 

I could not find anything about the temp default shut off.

I completely understand it is cold, my main concern is the only time my check engine and trac off lights come on are when the remote starts engages and the truck doesn’t start and then the lights stay on for the remainder of the day and then shut off. I have no issues with any dashlights when i had been just going out in the morning and starting it myself.

Kind of a monkey in the middle because the dealership will blame it on the remote start and the company who installed the remote start will and have already said it could be my truck. Just trying to not be played for a fool and not waste any money or time.

Just curious as to what about a remote start and my truck not turning over that trips those lights to come on.

And it definitely defeats the purpose of a remote start... lol

I appreciate y’all feedback

 

Does your remote start also do your locks?
The wife’s suby does weird crap if the oem remote gets used at all.

 

On my highlander those lights will come on when the gas cap is loose.

While it may not be 'loose', it may shrink in that cold and lose it's seal.

Since the CEL is on, what codes do you pull?

 

It keeps my truck locked when it running and then I have to use the starter key fab to unlock my doors. But no the starter fab isn’t with the door locking buttons, just the starter.

 

Any chance your routine is different at night compared to the day? Like locking the door using the button on the door instead of using the fob? Or the other way round.
Could be it just isn’t starting but not sure why all the dash lights.

 

I don’t think it’s the cold causing it, unless you have a battery issue. My remote start has been working flawlessly even in -15f to -20f temps after sitting all night.

 

Dang just noticed you joined today!
Welcome to TW and congrats on your choice of truck

 

I agree with the above. The remote start will 'look' for a running engine after a certain amount of time. I imagine there could be codes thrown if the engine doesn't start when expected. Some remote start systems do have timing adjustments - we're talking about fractions of a second type adjustments.

 

Go to an auto parts store next time the check engine light comes on...they'll usually pull the codes for free.

Once you have the codes post them here.

 

I bought my truck used, and it already had a remote start system installed. The installation was apparently terrible. There was a wire which was supposed to detect that the engine was running. The installer did not connect it.

When the temps got below 10, the default cranking time wasn't enough to start the engine. It would fail, then attempt to restart. In total it would crank but not start three times. I would come out to find the dash lit up and the engine not running. Trying to start it was difficult since it was partially flooded. Sometimes I got a CEL which would go away the next time I started it.

Do you know if your truck cranks on the times it doesn't start?

I had a reputable local shop install a new one. No problems since now that the system looks for the engine running before it stops cranking. It sounds like your installation may have some issues.

 

It sounds like the installer got lazy and didn’t hook up the tac sense wire and used the “ auto sense “ instead.