Secret Remote Start??

The kids were playing outside and set off the alarm on my 2013 Tacoma. I went outside to turn it off and hit the lock/unlock buttons, trying to turn the alarm off.

The alarm turned off, then the truck started up on its own.

I've never seen it do this and wasn't aware it was even possible. There's no remote start button on the fob.

I tried to open it and the door was locked. The fob wouldn't lock/unlock the door, so I unlocked it with the key. I eventually got it to turn off by pushing the brake.

But now I'm trying to recreate the remote start – because it'd certainly be handy! I found various instructions online, but none of them work. They all say push the lock button a couple times in under 2 seconds, then hold it for 3 seconds. No dice. Neither does any combination I've tried.

Does anyone know how to get it to work??

Thanks for your help!

 

The combination depends on the starter. Some is hit the lock button 3 times, or hit the lock button twice and hold for a few seconds on the 3rd press. Some, just hold the lock button for up to 10 seconds.

Edit: I bought a used car that I didn't know had a remote start. Also discovered it by accident.

 

2nd gens didn't have any remote start option so it has to be something aftermarket.
You will have to find the module and see what you have, they typically aren't too hard to find. Most of the time you can just follow the rat nest of aftermarket wiring up to the box, typically they are stashed near the steering column or behind the left kick panel.

 

Agree with the post above. 2nd gen didn’t come with remote start. So you probably have an aftermarket set up. It’s not that expensive and not that hard. I installed one on my 2015

 

Thanks! I found some info saying that starting in 2013 it was an option, but I tend to trust the folks on here more. I've tried those fob button combinations with no luck. I'll see if I can spot anything aftermarket. But this truck had like NOTHING aftermarket on it when I bought it.

 

As far as I know they didn't start offering remote start on the Tacoma's until somewhere around 2019, I know 2nd gen (05-15) never had it.
It could have been installed by the dealer but the typical dealer/port installed system was just an alarm system with no remote start.

Do you have factory Toyota remotes like these?

 

Yep. That exact one. I peeked under the steering column and maybe this is the culprit?