crappy Auto Start

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CrispyBacon

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My truck is usually 100 feet line of sight, or like 50 feet if I'm indoors.

My wife's Kia is about 1 kilometre away if you're outside. It's also a 2-way, so the fob beeps if it successfully starts your car. I'm jealous.
 

damnimcooltom

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There are a number of things that can cause the remote start to fail. As others have mentioned, low fuel,or a door or hood open. Another one that is annoying is certain codes can cause it to fail. They want you to be so annoyed that you take it to the dealer, who can hopefully fix whatever else is wrong with the vehicle. I had a list of conditions that needed to be met for the remote start to work, but I seem to have misplaced it.
 

mohemipar

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There are a decent number of conditions, but as long as you have all doors closed, hood closed, doors LOCKED, it is basically simple stuff that you shouldn't have an issue with. I don't believe the truck will reject a remote start based on fuel level unless the truck is flashing with a low fuel warning.
 

damnimcooltom

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Several of us have had issues with our Challengers acting weird with the remote start. We have noticed that it seems to disable itself quite a bit on colder mornings. Like, mine started foine all summer, and then suddenly when it started dipping under freezing, it started failing, and saying it needed to be reset about 60% of the time. I was doing nothing different. I looked for that conversation, but didn't find it. I wonder if someone got lippy, and got the post deleted. My wife's Cherokees have never done it, and my Ram hasn't done it yet, either. Some vehicles seem to be more flaky than others.
 

Jstmahoney

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This is probably what has been happening. Maybe I have not been patient enough. I will try to pay more attention to its reactions. The low fuel light is not on and the hood is closed properly. Thx for all the replies.


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Yeah try pushing and releasing the button, 1 click, 2 click- should start right up.


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zogg

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Mine is flawless....never had one issue, even when fuel was on fumes....
 

HitchHiker

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Mine works petty well, I’ve used it frequently. I don’t like that you can’t set the time it runs like you can in our Journey. Also check your fuel, also there’s a sensor on the hood, if it’s open it will also disable the remote start. Also, maybe someone else can chime in, doesn’t the instrument panel tell you remote has been disabled for whatever reason? Has anyone tried the Uconnect app? I can lock unlock remote start and locate my truck with it. Pretty cool.


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I will second using the Uconnect app. I work in a building where line of sight to my vehicle is not possible and I’m too far away to use the FOB. Uconnect app remote start has worked every time for me. Takes about 30 seconds to cycle the remote start but I can do it sitting at my desk a few minutes before I leave for the day.


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IMRAM

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I will second using the Uconnect app. I work in a building where line of sight to my vehicle is not possible and I’m too far away to use the FOB. Uconnect app remote start has worked every time for me. Takes about 30 seconds to cycle the remote start but I can do it sitting at my desk a few minutes before I leave for the day.


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I have downloaded the app, but there’s no place on there to register. Do I do that from my vehicle?


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JPT

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I have downloaded the app, but there’s no place on there to register. Do I do that from my vehicle?


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You have to register from your truck. You hit the call in button and talk to UConnect services. Then setup your account on the website. Using that account information you can sign into the app. Just note it is $14+ per month after the trial period is over.

Mine works just fine, but the range is pathetic.

Mine works as long as I am close (even with a new FOB battery). After coming from having a Viper alarm with bidirectional communication, it makes me feel that the factory remote start is lacking. It is ok, but not great. I used to be able to start my truck from 1/2 mile away, and get feedback to know if it actually started.
 

HitchHiker

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I have downloaded the app, but there’s no place on there to register. Do I do that from my vehicle?


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It’s a function that uses SiriusXM Guardian. You are entitled to a 1 year trial if you bought your truck new, you should have received a card that looks like the one in this pic that walks you through how to enable it:

05a5d85818650ece0052241398c5f252.jpg




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RaftingDave

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Of the six or seven times I've used the auto start on my '17 BigHorn, it's worked on the first try all but once, and that time it worked fine on the second try. My front door is pretty close to the truck, maybe 20 feet.
 

JPT

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I'm not sure this title is correct, or we are all talking about the wrong thing. This is Remote Start. Auto Start is the feature on some Ram's that shuts the engine off in traffic, and restarts it when you take your foot off the brake pedal.

At least that is my understanding of that feature (that I don't have).
 
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IMRAM

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I am talking about my remote start from my FOB as mentioned earlier.


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JPT

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I am talking about my remote start from my FOB as mentioned earlier.


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I figured. Just titled wrong.
 

Roadhouse

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Using the fob like a traditional key, like it was designed and intended, is what may be the root of this problem. The twisting force on the body of the fob over time, might be causing loss of connectivity of the battery to the contacts. Mine has been acting up, working 30% of the time until I tried twisting the fob with both hands and pushing the button twice with a free finger. Everytime I do that, it works.

20180118_133857.jpg
20180118_133857.jpg
 

Mr.AK902

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Interesting about the low fuel. It’s not empty but it’s probably less than a quarter of tank. Plus keep in mind I have a 32 gallon tank that shows empty one they’re still 6-7 gallons left.. LOL
Maybe that’s it, because I could not get it to start standing next to it, I thought I did something to disable by mistake.


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Your low fuel light has to be on to interrupt the command start. Anything more for fuel then a fuel light and it should start fine. An open door or illuminated CEL will also override command start
 

BTD07

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Mine definitely works far less of the time than my 15 Charger. That was a guarantee. Sometimes this one doesn't work at all, or it takes three pushes for it to work. The range is less too.
 

HitchHiker

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Using the fob like a traditional key, like it was designed and intended, is what may be the root of this problem. The twisting force on the body of the fob over time, might be causing loss of connectivity of the battery to the contacts. Mine has been acting up, working 30% of the time until I tried twisting the fob with both hands and pushing the button twice with a free finger. Everytime I do that, it works.

20180118_133857.jpg
20180118_133857.jpg

Yes, however the OP has a 2017 Limited model, which means he has the newer FOB and push button start, so this issue would not apply to his situation. For lower end models and/or older models like my 2012 that have the FOB like yours, what you said may apply. :)
 

robcope

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I LOVE LOVE LOVE the autostart when it's hot around these parts. I can turn mine on from my apartment about 15-20 yards away, BUT I have to consciously press the button twice, and each time make it a long press. So I literally press it and say, 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi etc. Stupid I know lol.
I do the same. Doesn't work if you press to quick
 

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