I have the CoolStart remote start on my 99 F250 Diesel pickup. It was already installed when I bought the truck. Now that its getting cold (I live in Omaha, NE) I would like to be able to use it to warm the truck up for a few minutes in the morning. I am having a problem though - the remote start doesn't seem to give the glow plugs enough time and doesn't turn over long enough to start the truck. It works if the truck is already warm but never first thing in the morning. Is there a way to program these things to wait for the glow plugs and try to turn the motor over a little longer? It literraly stops trying to turn the motor over right before it wants to start. Any advice. Thanks, Mike.

 

on the newer remote start units there is a timer. I dont know about the unit you have being the age it is. The unit on my 05 gave me plenty of time. never an issue.

 

i got a valet remote start and my stereo guys programmed it to have a timer and its fine....just get your trusted stereo shop to take a look at it

 

what mine (Viper) is tied to is the "wait to start" light .. as long as that light is on, it won't turn over .. when that light goes out, it fires 'er up.

Agree with Patrick - have a shop take a look at it's programming and wiring

 

Any idea what model # the remote start is?

If you have a newer model I believe this is the programming for them but confirm your model # first. I would try to set the wait to start to 20 seconds first. If that doesn't work then try 30 seconds. If that still isn't starting it then try to increase the crank time.

To Engage Option Programming:
1. Open hood (If no hood pin switch is installed, then ground the Gray wire)
2. Turn Key to the ON position. (Do not start vehicle) Pink wire must be connected!
3. Press the program / valet button 5 times. Wait for the unit to flash the lights and/or horn honk 5 times.
4. Push the valet/program button the number of times that corresponds to the option number desired (1-22X). You
must get a light flash and/or honk after each button press. If the system did not flash the lights and/or honk, then it
did not register your press. Press carefully and do not lose count.
5. A) For RS1300/1/3/4DP or 1604TW1/1704TW2/1804FM: When you reach the desired option #, Press button
#1(Lock) or #2 (Unlock) to change the option. (Some option numbers use ALL 4 remote buttons to select settings)
5. B) For RS-1300DP: (No remotes) Tap the brake pedal to toggle through the option values: Tap the brake once
(lights flash 1X; Tap the brake pedal again (Lights flash 2X) tap 3 or 4 times for options that have 3 or 4 values.
6. When finished, turn Ignition OFF, close hood (or un-ground Gray wire) and check for changed features.


15. Timed Crank Mode or Tach Monitor
Button #1: Timed Crank: Pre set crank time
Button #2: Tach Monitor: Use Tach Pulses


18. Starter Cranking Time
(Only when option #15 is set for
“Timed Crank”)

Button #1 = 0.75 Sec.
Button #2 = 0.5 Sec.
Button #3 = 1.0 Sec.
Button #4 = 1.5 Sec.


19. Diesel Glow Plug Delay

Button #1 = 10 Sec.
Button #2 = Monitor Glow plug
Button #3 = 20 Sec.
Button #4 = 30 Sec.

 

I think you are on the right track with extending the wait to crank and the crank time, however, I wonder if you should have your alternater tested and both your batteries and clean your terminals. The other thing is to check your glow plug curcuits are working and ohm out your glow plugs to make sure all is working. Reason being if all these things are not working properly you would see that in requiring an extended wait to start or crank time. Just a thought before you try re programming because once those things fail and you fix them your crank time may be too long. Depending on the unit, it may not have a crank sensor to stop cranking when it should. If you are doing this yourself, perhaps your make model and s/n can help you download the full manuals. I know for my astrostart its pretty complicated and there are also some failsafe steps you need to test like park switch, or neutral, brake or any pedal off ect.

 

i had one like this on my previous truck.worked perfect.never had to worry adjusting it.maybe a good shop can wire yours that way.

 

It can be done, just requires a little electrical know how about diodes and relays.

 

Got down to 50 last night, maybe I should get one? Not.

I wonder if they couldn't tie into the oil pressure switch to tell these things when to Stop cranking. That would be a nice starter safety circuit...or does cranking potentially develop enough oil pressure (before ignition) it might think it's running?