Does Your Factory Remote Start Work?

Hello TW,

I've read a number of confusing posts about factory-installed remote start and wanted to take a poll to see what our self-reported results bear out.

My story: bought a '20 TRD Pro in June 2020 and tried in vain to make the remote start work from the key fob. When my Toyota Connect trial ended a couple of months ago I nearly subscribed just to keep the remote start feature but ended up letting it lapse.

Yesterday I was browsing TW and came across a mention of the factory remote start via key fob on a random thread and realized that I may have been doing it wrong in my previous attempts by not holding down the lock button on the third press. I immediately went to the window and gave it a shot - sure enough she fired right up and I felt like an idiot

I have read, as I'm sure many of you have, a lot of different opinions on which truck's years, trim levels, packages, dealer activated, used techstream...etc are the key to knowing whether or not your truck will be able utilize remote start from the key fob. I haven't been able to identify a single determinant so let's create our own data and maybe figure out what the hell is going on here.

Here's how I get it to work and what it looks like on factory LED headlights: click the lock button three times in a row deliberately but not too quickly, about one second apart, and holding on the third click. First click of lock button *hazards flash*, second click *hazards flash*, third click *hazards flash*, after a second *hazards flash 5x* *truck starts*, let your finger off the button *hazards flash 7x*

https://vimeo.com/591300347

Clearly this doesn't apply to manual transmission folks. Let me know if this has been solved and I just didn't find it.

 

Correct. Tacomas made after 2018 do not need Toyotas “Remote Connect” service to remain active. The keyfob will continue to allow remote start even after the subscription expires. Many people dont get the button sequence correct and simply give up.

 

Toyota factory remote starts have always been lock, lock, press and hold lock. Most people can’t comprehend that process. I installed remote starts for 14 years and most people couldn’t even pick up the process of holding a button for 3.5 second when I would tell them you have to press and hold it until a light came on and was done blinking.

 

You've managed to contradict yourself in consecutive statements. So most people can comprehend Toyota's unspoken click-click-hold remote start, and at the same time most people can't comprehend a simpler click-and-hold start with explicit instructions?

 

Yup. Its is simple for most people who do it every day, but In my experience with Tacomas people dont press and hold the lock button long enough on the 3rd push. Even my salesman told me on test drive there was no RS . He tried but couldn’t get it to work. Same happened with a ‘20 Sport loaner. Svc manager said he tried but no dice.. Both of them were doing it wrong, I had no trouble..

Ive read plenty of members here surprised that they had RS as they were also doing the sequence wrong from the fob.

 

I guess it's a little tricky until you've done it a few times but damn the service manager ought to have that shit down by now

 

Lol right? I do know he was new there, but Jesus man, know your shit. I Wonder how many RS he sold to cars that didnt really need it …

 

Tried last night and no go. I have a 2019 fully loaded OR. Will try again tonight.

 

2020 TRD PRO
Lock, Lock, Lock and Hold
Still works.
Subscription has run out but still works with the fob.

 

Just tried it with my 2021 TRD Sport and it worked. Nice little Easter Egg.

Thanks

 

Think they put it on the 2020s and later

 

Toyota farmed out my Taco, to an aftermarket 2 way long range starter. I can start it from inside the arena after winter Hockey and come out to a warm Taco. But that requires carrying a 2nd remote (for such an occasion).

For close range, the OEM remote works just fine.

 

I feel like I've seen some folks with 2016-2019 trucks with a functioning remote start, but maybe you're right.

 

2020 TRDOR

It does not work. I've tried on several occasions. I'll give it another shot today when I go to lunch. I have my doubts.

Maybe it has something to do with the keypad windshield lock thingy gumming up the electronics.

Honestly if I still lived in Colorado I'd be upset about it, but in Florida it's more of an "oh well".

On a side note, I like the windshield keypad. I've only had the truck a month and have used it several times when me an the wife are at the beach and both head into the water. Can leave the fob in the cab with all the valuables and still lock/unlock without it.

 

Can’t*

 

Mines an early model 2020, has not worked since subscription ran out. I tried turning it back on in techstream with no success

 

Yeah we’ve put them in ourselves. I put mine in two weeks after having the truck

 

16-19 is aftermarket if they have it.

 

So what about @Tocamo? He claims to have a '17 with an OEM remote start in addition to the long range aftermarket

When I bought the truck dealer told me remote start wasn't possible with the factory key fob. Clearly they were mistaken

 

21 Pro works once I get the sequence correct.

Does anyone know of he have an auto window roll down from remote?