I've been putting up with Remote Starter issues for the last couple months. I think I have some auto or power commander remote start security system, maybe bull dog, can't remember off the top of my head. It seems like my truck likes to start up by itself every once in awhile. It originally started doing this about 5 months ago then hasn't done it since till the last couple weeks.

I also every once in awhile had a problem where the truck would not start at all. Its almost like the security system was alarmed and it prevented me from starting my own truck. I'd literally sit inside trying to start it for about 10-15 minutes.. not cranking it over and over. I'd no if it was going to start or not in the first couple rotations. Then, it would start? Just this last time, I found by trying to locking and unlocking the doors seems to deactive the system.

I do not use the alarm system at all on the truck as my power door locks don't work,,, so theres no point in using it. However, I do use the remote start all the time. I love it and I really don't want to get rid of it... but I can't have it starting up randomly like it does or not starting up at all.

Has anyone experienced problems like this? I'm thinking the module for the remote start is going bad or theres a bad connection somewhere. Any ideas?

 

I have had remote start alarms for years and have never heard of this happening. Are you sure the button on your remote is not being presses accidentaly?

 

I know some of them you can program to start when it gets bellow a certian temp or some you can program to start at a certian time. How old is it? Maybe it is shot.

 

No, I don't think its starting because its programmed to start when its cold. If that was the case, it would always be starting. Just recently its beening starting about 1-2 twice a week. It did it today and most times, the keys are on the table, nothing or nobody around to press the button to start. Also, it wouldn't explain why it won't start every once in a blue moon. I know I have it programmed to run for only 10 minutes without the keys in it.

How old is it?? I have no idea. I just bought the truck about 5 months ago and its an 02. Its not as old as the truck but I'm not sure when it was installed. I seen theres are dozens of wires coming off the module going to the brake/gas pedal sensor, ignition, etc.

 

could be you're getting a freak radio signal from somewhere else that is messing with your truck

 

Time to remove it, IMO.

 

I'm not sure on the frequency waves, however, I did notice the last time my truck started, my neighbor opened their garage door. It still doesn't explain why it won't start periodically. Its very random but the starting seems more so recently than before.

I really don't want to remove it but if I have to go that route, I'll probably replace it with another unit. I love the remote start, especially on cold winter days.

I sometime look at it this way, maybe my truck is starting up cause its tired of sitting and wants to go for a spin... Actually, it only does it when its been sitting for awhile.

 

Some times my key would not work only the remote would. would come and go every couple weeks so I put a new one in figered sooner or later neather would work

 

See, when it won't start, nothing works. Hitting the remote, it will just turn over a couple times, three separate start tries. Next time I cant start it, I'm going to try to disconnect the module and see if I can start it up then. If my theory holds true, then it should be the module thats going bad. The first time I had a no start, I pulled a code for the ICP sensor. I never replaced it although I have a spare in the glove box.

 

if all else fails and you have no-start on your DP and its easy to get to, maybe you can just unplug it for now until you get it figured out... just a thougt and my 25th post!!!

 

Sounds like a short in the control module. I had to replace my window roll up module because every now and then while sitting or driving, the windows would just roll up on their own. I could hear the module's relay click when it happened. I traced all the wires and everything was fine. Replaced the module, and no problems for the last 5 yrs.


Austin

 

I'm guessing the same about the control module going south. Once it warms up this weekend, I'll take a look at it. There is a toggle switch on it to shut the system off. However, that was a problem from the get go. The wiring to the toggle switch was shotty so it wasn't getting a good connection.

I only have a Flashed PCM for the DP tuner set at 80hp. I'm getting the actually tuner itself very soon!

 

My '02 has the remote start and it worked fine until one day I was at the bank, turned off the truck to her the teller and It would not start back up. Wouldn't even crank. I hit the button for the remote start and nothing. When I hit the button the lights all came on like the ignition was turned to on. So, I hit the button again, then cranked the ignition with the key and it started. Hasn't happened since. Kinda weird.

 

Well, the no start occured again today. I had just shut the truck off to run in the store for a quick minute. I came out, put the key in to start, and it just cranked... no start. So, I immediately ripped over the drivers kick panel and disabled the alarm/remote start system. I went to start it again and still nothing.. it would just turn over. I did each attempt to start it briefly, it either starts in the first couple rotations or it won't start period. On the 4th try, it started right up.

I think I can roll out the "no start" as being a cause of the remote start/alarm module. When this last happened frequently about 4-5 months ago, I pulled a code for ICP sensor failure. I bought a new ICP sensor thinking that was the problem, but it didn't act up in months..... so I assummed all was good again.

Could this possibly be an ICP sensor going bad? Next time this happens, I'm going to unplug the ICP sensor and see if I can start it then. Also, where's the ICP sensor located? It's been away and I can't exactly remember which one it is.

 

It sounds like your remote start is due for a change. It could be anything from the main brain going crazy to the door locks making it act up. I would start by taking the wiring loose from the box and seeing if that solved the problems. You are going to have to fix the door locks someday it might as well be now. Get the locks fixed and then hook the remote start back up. If the problem continues replace the system with a new one. The good news is they aren't real expensive off of Ebay. The other good news is your wiring is already tapped into so you can just cut the old wiring, solder the new wiring to it. The install should be really simple.
Joe