Remote starter issues
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
Remote starter issues
I have a 2005 F350 Powerstroke with a deal installed remote starter. I searched and read everything this morning. The issue I am having is that the remote start seems to be finicky. I have no supporting data but this is what my wife tells me (it is her truck). She tells me that the remote works fine in the summer but when it gets cold out it needs to be plugged in to work. Is there any truth to this? Is the unit temperature sensitive? Also, I performed the “ key in and no chime” mod and she also told me that she thinks that it may have contributed to the problem. Again, I have no data to back this theory up. I plan to try my remote tonight and I also plan to examine the wiring.
This all started because she drove my car yesterday. I keep in in a heated garage......
This all started because she drove my car yesterday. I keep in in a heated garage......
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 1
From: No.Va.
Kinda what I was thinking,I would check that first before you spend any time on the wiring.
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Robbinsville NJ
Some remote starters read the RPM to tell if the engine is running, others just crank for a preset number of seconds. I assume what you are saying is that when it's cold out it won't fire up. To me that would say the starter is configured for crank and not actually check the RPM.
If that's the case you could increase the crank time, but you will need to decrease it in warmer weather to prevent grinding the starter.
The best option would be to have the remote starter set to check for RPM.
If that's the case you could increase the crank time, but you will need to decrease it in warmer weather to prevent grinding the starter.
The best option would be to have the remote starter set to check for RPM.
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: Robbinsville NJ
Take the remote control, sit in the truck and hit the remote starter. Does it crank immediately or does it wait for the glow plug light to go out?
If I had to bet, my bet is the installers were lazy and it's not wired to check for RPM.
If I had to bet, my bet is the installers were lazy and it's not wired to check for RPM.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
RPM/start can also be done with voltage sense, say 12.6v off and 13.6 running. The extra volt tells the module the motor is running on it's own. If it is on volt sense, then you could have a battery or alternator issue. Quick and easy, check your voltage off and running when it's cold.
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 1
From: LONG ISLAND N.Y.
i used to have a 97 f350 7.3 with a remote starter.it was installed by a small local shop and he wired it so it would start when the "wait to start" light would turn off.all you would have to do is hit the button it would give the truck power-the wait to start light would come on then when it went off the truck would start.worked nice.if i remember right it was a rip-off of the viper alarm/remote start..i think it was called the cobra.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
RPM/start can also be done with voltage sense, say 12.6v off and 13.6 running. The extra volt tells the module the motor is running on it's own. If it is on volt sense, then you could have a battery or alternator issue. Quick and easy, check your voltage off and running when it's cold.
The best way on a diesel is to have it setup for rpm sense. It's easy to do, I had to change it on mine because it was set for the "smart start" mode, which was just to crank for a set amount of seconds.
There is a wire right under the dash that provides and rpm signal, it's part of the upfitter stuff for PTO etc. You can't easily tap into the GP light to start when it's off. If you tap into the GP relay signal, it could take up to 2 minutes to start in colder weather.
A 15 second delay should be programmable, but you have to check with the Ford instructions to find out if it is really a Ford remote start.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta
What fixed my issue...
I just went through a similar "finicky" issue with mine. It turned out to be the angle of the hood switch. Check to make sure it is tilted down enough so that if you're parking on a bit of an incline it won't matter. It's there to ensure the truck won't start with the hood up (as when someone is under there working on the engine). Also, if the truck cranks right away, there is a programming change that can be done to make it wait 30 seconds for the glow plugs to finish their cycle.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
Sounds to me like things are getting too complicated. If it is cold out, yes, it is tougher to start a diesel. Plug it in for the night, and the next morning, try it. It sounds to me from your first post that it is just a matter of the remote starter doesn't know it is cold and will not try again, or wait longer for the glow plugs to warm up a little more. So if you plug it in, it will start easier in the cold weather. Also, as as mentioned above, sit in the truck and hit the remote starter. Check to see if it is waiting for the glow plugs to heat up or not before cranking. If it doesn't, call your dealer and ask them for the owners manual for the remote starter. It should tell you how to adjust for that.