Remote Starter failed to start? too cold?

Hey all.

My remote starter didn't want to start the car this morning. It's been working fine up until today when the temperature dropped to 5-F last night. I sat in the car and used the remote start to see what was going on, and it fired up the motor for a second or so, then it shut down again right away. My in-car test was the 3rd start attempt.. When I pushed the in-dash start button, the car started just fine..

Any insights as to why the remote starter doesn't seem to like the cold? The entire reason I purchased that option was to avoid going outside when it was that cold.. and if that's when it doesn't work....

 

Then a call to the dealer it shall be.

Oh, was it the OEM one or the one that circumvents the auto-shutoff-with-door aftermarket? That might make a big difference.. (and no, despite my replies in other posts about starters, I mean no snark.. it's an honest and pertinent question

 

Excellent, thanks. I guess I'll call them and see if they know of a tweak, or if they can check it out.

 

nah, it's the starter itself, I'm sure. From in the house (so nothing being pushed in the car), it happened again this morning.. started and stopped right away. Unfortunately, I had the lights on (I leave them on for DRL and let the car shut them off after 30 seconds), so when I saw them light up, I presumed the car was running. 4 minutes later when I went out, lights off and windows still iced over. Tried the remote standing next to the car, same thing as before with 1.5 seconds max running before shutdown. Getting in the car and pressing the button started the car.

As noted above, the first time this happened I got in the car (door closed tight, no pedals pressed) and tried the remote start to the same end.. quick start and quit. Definitely the remote start, and not operator error

 

In true "we're smarter than you because .. uh.. we said so" form, the dealer suggested that "if the FOB is too close, the remote start won't work". He was offended when I said "that's not true, I've used the FOB while sitting IN the car to start the 'remote start', so that's no the problem". He asked that I prove that for him.. /sigh

I suggested he contact a Toyota Engineer since this seems a "rare occurrence" and he assured me they have had no complaints of any other starters they put in.. he hasn't contacted an engineer to find out what part/s are the likely culprit. He was also supposed to find out how long the "black box" holds data for since I suggested that if the engine "cut off" for some reason, some sensor not being pleased, knowing that might help and the computer might have it logged... but he's not bothered to find out over the last two days how long of a window we had to get the car to him. Now it's been seven days since the last failure, I'm guessing we're probably too late to read the black box for insight.

So, at this stage, we're waiting on a "cold weather report" to try and schedule a drop-off where they can check the car first thing in the morning at "single digit temps".. and I'm guessing the high-school dropout mechanic they tell to check it will press the power button and drive it into the work bays before he uses the FOB, and will ruin the test.

So, currently, no new information as I engage in the typical "we want to reproduce your issue" dance with the dealer.

 

Thanks

Once they find out what's wrong (presuming they can actually track it down to a faluted part and not play the guessing game), I'll post it back here so others might find a possible course of action if they find themselves in the same boat. -- given how I have to wait near a week to even hope to have weather to test in, this could take some time

 

UPDATE:

Well, just got off the phone with the dealer. Yesterday they figured they would try replacing the auxiliary battery (Toyota Techs apparently suggested it, telling me the guys as the dealer didn't adequately explain the problem).. Obviously, that didn't do anything since the car "works normally" in all other contexts, it's just that it shuts down right after starting if the remote starter is used (in very cold temps).

The only good news is apparently "someone else" seems to have the same problem (not at my dealer, but the Toyota guys noted a second case of it) so the Toyota guys are supposedly looking into it.

I'll probably end up getting my car back until Toyota tells the dealer of the next potential fix (unfortunately, that doesn't seem to include the next logical step of replacing the remote start motor/computer/bits). So I'm going to have to keep on them about this, and if the weather turns decent and it doesn't get overly cold till spring gets here, I'll be waiting until next winter to deal with this again..

bleh.

 

edit: found the other thread.. thanks! .. directed him here.

 

I don't know that I buy that there is a sensor blocking the starting (not on purpose). Others have said their OEM remote starter works fine in single digit (f) temps and below. If there is a sensor that is upset about it being too cold to "remote start", then they need to adjust the software/firmware because that's just stupid. .. my car actually fires up and you can hear combustion going on for just over a second before it cuts out. It runs fine with the button push.. clearly there is no good reason for the remote to not start it when the vehicle is capable of running "normally"..

I will call my dealer (who now said Toyota mentioned someone else with the "problem", but hasn't offered a solution yet) and see if what you were told came from Toyota or your dealer (who probably doesn't know any better, or is making things up to try and sound smart).

I've already told my dealer that I didn't pay $600 for something meant to keep me from having to go out in the cold to start the car if it only works when it isn't cold out. I'm sure they want to keep that money, so they will push for a fix (or replace parts until it works).

 

Not sure why you felt the need to take on an aggressive/abusive tone, but whatever.

I've talked with my mechanic at the dealership and he has talked to the Toyota Engineers. The Prius is designed to "remote start" down to -22F, so it not starting at 10F is clearly "not by design". The Engineers are looking into this to find out what might be causing MY Prius not to start at 10F since the Engineers from Toyota have stated it should be starting down to -22F.

I understand your point about it possibly being "too cold" and needing someone to keep an eye on the system while it starts, and that is probably the reason behind the -22F cutoff for remote starting. Personally, when it's -20F out, I don't go out unless it's an emergency (I take off work or work from home), so the remote start isn't a concern to me in those situations. 10F, however, is not "that cold".

And a block heater is not a viable option for everyone. I have no external outlets at my house and no garage. To hook a block heater to my car I would need to run an extension cord out of my window (very bad for energy consumption in your house to have open windows when it's below zero, don't you think?) and contend with an extension cord in the snow (which could lead to water and shorts or fire). None of that should be required at 10F with modern technology. And it is all immaterial when other people are saying their remote start is working down to -5F with no issues.

But thanks for your input.