The Great Remote Start Conundrum

I had remote start installed by the dealer when I bought the truck in the spring of 2019. Part of the package was a square black remote about the size of a quarter. I had the remote attached to my key chain until I realized that the slightest pressure on the remote in my pocket started the truck, often when it was sitting in the garage, etc. I removed the remote from the keychain.

The dealer told me that I could activate the remote by pressing the lock button on the key fob three times. I find that this works about one out of four times; at least one of the other times finds the panic alarm sounding and me cursing.

So, any thoughts on the process for remote starting the truck with regularity w/o the hassles?

 

I have a 2020 4Runner TRD Pro and I’ve seen videos online of people getting remote start to work. No matter how many times I’ve tried I can’t get it to work. Your one out of four times is a better hit rate than I’m getting of zero. I’d love to know what I’m doing wrong as well. For now I’ve been using the app to remote start my vehicle.

 

I haven't figured it out myself on my aftermarket remote start, but I think if I accidentally hit lock 4 times on the fob the truck starts and the panic alarm goes off. Then if I hit lock one more time the panic goes off. Usually it's just three taps about a second apart and it's just fine.

 

I have the same dealer installed little black fob also in a 2018. I believe I have to hit (press) mine twice for the thing to start so not as easy to accidentally do that I suppose. If you keep the keys in your back pocket then yes I suppose you can sit on them and start the vehicle. I'll have to try mine with one press but I don't think it'll start. When I bought the vehicle I was under the impression the remote I bought would work through a phone and it doesn't oh well maybe my fault but I did ask and the person said yes. After bringing the vehicle home I called the salesman and he said "no" the remote you purchased doesn't work off a phone...... No $hit!

 

i have a 2020 trd pro and my remote start works perfectly! You gotta hit the lock button three times and on the 3rd time you hold the lock button for 5-10seconds. The lights will start flashing and turn on the car for 10minutes. You can also do it in your phone!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5AZ9U_E4bRQ

 

I have a 2016 Limited, and I've never gotten the 3 lock presses trick to work. I wish there was a matrix or some kind of documentation that showed compatibility of this feature.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. aroyalsfan's comments sparked the thought that maybe sequence speed, etc. was the key [no pun intended]. So, I messed around and found that counting one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three with no hesitation, hitting the lock button on one, two, three worked three of five times. I'm convinced that I just need to get the rythm down better and I'll be fine.

DGP 1961, I always keep my keys in my front left pants pocket, but I also keep all sorts of crap in there too, including a Swiss Army knife. I knew the remote couldn't survive there for long.

In any event, thanks for your help!

 

where is the remote start hardware located? can we just check if it's there?

 

found the install pdf

 

I think if you knocked out the "thousand" and just counted 1, 2, 3, like a time signature on a piece of music in 4/4 time or 3/4 time you might get it better?

 

I have that hardware installed on my ‘20 ORP and it’ll flash 3 times but won’t start by the remote.

 

It’s better than having your 13 year old nephew start the vehicle to warm up. Things got out of hand and he did a lil remodeling....

 

It's 1,2,3, and hold the 3rd for 3-4 seconds. The lights should flash and you'll know you held the 3rd long enough.

 

Good suggestions. I'll try 'em all, especially holding the third click for three/four seconds.

 

I got the viper smart start from the dealer for my 2019 orp...no headaches one click truck starts any where in the country and for the remote the just press twice and it start...

 

Honestly I'd use the fob it came with and re-think what you do with your keys. Doesn't seem that big of a deal honestly. Any one of us could accidentally remote start our vehicles if we're not careful with our keys.