Chevy Malibu Remote Start Not Working (Solved!)
So your Chevy Malibu remote start won’t work anymore? You have tried looking for suggestions on what to do to restore it but you can’t find anything helpful? If that’s you, this guide will help you out. We’ll share with you helpful info on why your remote start is malfunctioning and troubleshooting tips to fix it.
Chevy Malibu remote start not working is usually caused by a dead key fob battery, dead car battery, faulty key fob, bad hood switch, open hood or jar, check engine light, valet mode, programming issues, multiple start attempts, wrong start procedure, faulty remote, etc.
In this article, we’ll discuss full details about each of these potential causes for your remote start to malfunction. Moreover, we’ll provide you with tips on how to fix each of these issues so that your remote start resume its normal functionality.
Chevy Malibu remote start not working causes:
Your Chevy Malibu may malfunction due to a variety of issues we have discussed below:
A dead key fob battery
If your Chevy Malibu remote feature stops working, the first thing to consider is a weak or dead key fob battery.
This battery powers the remote to send signals to your vehicle. If it’s weak or dead, it won’t be able to communicate with your car and activate the engine.
Solution: You’ll need to replace the dead key fob battery with a new one to see if it helps fix the problem.
Make sure you use the correct battery (this is usually a CR2032 battery) and install it correctly to make your remote functional again.
The key fob is dead
The key fob could also be completely dead and non-functional. As such, it won’t be able to send a signal to your vehicle and the remote start won’t work.
If your remote doesn’t work after changing the battery, the remote could be broken or defective, thus preventing it from sending the necessary signals to your vehicle.
Solution: Inspect your remote for any signs of damage. If you have a spare fob, try using it to remote start your car. If it works, then your current fob is problematic and needs a replacement.
You may consider taking your remote to your dealer for further inspection and repairs/replacement as necessary.
The car battery is dead
If you have confirmed that your remote is in good working condition but your automatic starter still won’t work, then your car battery could be dead.
The failing or low battery may be unable to produce sufficient power needed by your vehicle electronics to receive the necessary signals for starting your vehicle engine remotely.
The battery may also have faulty connections that cause electric flow disruption, further affecting your remote start functionality.
Solution: You’ll need to test your vehicle battery voltage using a multimeter.
Ensure the battery is fully charged or the voltage is at the recommended level (over 12.4V) to rule out the possibility of your car battery being the issue.
If necessary, jumpstart the battery and then test your remote start to see if it works.
If the battery is all right, check whether there are any corrosion or loose connections and clean and tighten them securely as necessary.
Wrong start procedure
You also want to ensure you’re using the correct activation sequence for your Chevy Malibu as the wrong procedure will also lead to malfunctions.
This is more likely for car owners who haven’t used their remote systems in a long time or are simply not familiar with the correct starting procedure.
Solution: Check your user manual for the correct activation process for your Chevy Malibu remote start function. This is the procedure to follow:
Step 1. You’ll first need to press the lock button to lock your car. This step is necessary as you can remotely start your Malibu if it isn’t locked.
Step 2. Now press and hold the remote start button until you see your signal lamp flash. This should take approx. 2 to 4 seconds. And the engine will start!
Too many start attempts
You may not be aware of this but your Chevy remote vehicle start will fail to work if you attempt more than 2 remote start activations each cycle.
If you remotely start it two times, it will fail on the 3rd try. This is usually a vehicle security feature aimed at preventing unauthorized access to your car and deterring theft.
Solution: If you have made multiple start attempts consecutively, you’ll need to start your car manually by putting the key in the ignition and turning it to the ON position.
This will help reset the temporarily disabled remote starter so that it can become functional again.
Check engine light is on
If you can see the check engine light illuminating on your dashboard, your remote vehicle start will also not work.
The check engine alerts you that there’s an error code stored on your computer. This could be caused by an engine issue or due to problems with the emissions control system.
The remote start will not work as a safety measure to prevent further damage to your engine.
Solution: Have your car computer scanned for any stored error codes. These codes help you determine what kind of problem triggered the engine warning light and fix it.
Once the issue is resolved, the error codes and the engine light will most probably clear on its own, and the remote start will be functional again.
You have activated valet mode in your car
If pressing the start button doesn’t start your car but the locks and unlock buttons work, then your car is probably stuck in valet mode.
When in this mode, certain features of your vehicle are usually disabled to prevent remote starting while allowing for keyless entry.
This mode is usually helpful when you have your vehicle being serviced.
Sometimes, the valet mode could have been accidentally by pressing a combination of buttons, say when your remote is inside your pocket or purse.
In some cases, the remote function may revert to valet mode if your vehicle is disconnected during servicing.
Solution: Refer to your user manual for more instructions on how to get your vehicle remote start in and out of valet mode.
Programming issues
Your remote start system may also lose its programming. In this case, you’ll also experience problems trying to remote start it as you get no response from your Chevy.
Though this may be a rare cause, it happens. It can be due to your vehicle battery being dead or if you recently disconnected the battery for servicing.
Solution: If you suspect your remote start feature has programming issues, we advise you to consult your dealer (in case of a factory remote system) on how to reprogram your remote starter.
The remote start system is disabled
Another often overlooked issue that may be causing your remote start to malfunction is the remote function being disabled in your car.
This may have been done accidentally. Or, if you got your car from a previous owner, they may have disabled the feature intentionally.
Solution: Check the status of the remote feature in your vehicle Driver information settings (DIC). If the feature is off, simply turn it back on and then try to remote start your Chevy again.
Hood is ajar
Your Chevy Malibu remote vehicle start will also malfunction if you try using it without properly closing your hood.
This is usually a safety precaution based on the assumption that the hood could be open when a mechanic or the car owner is investigating in the engine bay.
As such, the remote starter fails to engage to prevent causing harm to anyone in the engine or the engine itself.
Sometimes, you may have your hood properly closed but you still get a hood open error. This could be caused by a malfunctioning hood switch sensor.
This sensor can fail over time or the mechanic may accidentally damage it during servicing. Or they may fail to reconnect it after servicing.
Solution: Ensure you have closed your hood properly. Open and close it to see if it helps. If that doesn’t help, consider inspecting your hood switch sensor for damages.
If it’s broken, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. If the switch looks dirty or rusty, consider cleaning it with WD40 to see if it becomes functional again.
A door is ajar
Another reason your remote start won’t work is if one of the doors isn’t closed. The system works on the basis that your door must be locked for the remote to turn your engine on.
This is for the safety of any occupants inside the vehicle as well as to prevent unauthorized access to the car.
Solution: Check which door is open and close it properly. A malfunctioning door open/closed sensor may indicate an open door even when all the doors are properly closed. Have it checked by a qualified auto mechanic and replaced if faulty.
Vehicle not in proper remote start mode
For your vehicle remote start system to work, several requirements must be met. Otherwise, if any of these conditions isn’t met, your remote start will not start your car engine.
Solution: You’ll need to ensure that all the conditions necessary for your remote start to work are met.
If any of the conditions listed below are present, then your remote vehicle start will malfunction:
- Your Chevy is in valet mode
- Your Chevy hood is ajar
- A current “hood ajar” DTC code is set
- Excessive engine coolant temperature
- Your Chevy is not in P (park)
- Vehicle theft deterrent malfunction
- Vehicle speed sensor (VSS) signal detected by the ECM
- Excessive engine RPM
- CTD system detects an alarm trigger
- Hazard switch is in the “ON” position
- A current hazard switch DTC code is set.
- Accelerator pedal position reads greater than 0
- A current automatic transmission shift lock control system DTC is set
Consult your Chevy Malibu owner’s manual for any additional conditions necessary for your remote start system to work.
While Chevy Malibu owners might sometimes grapple with remote start glitches, it’s insightful to recognize that such issues span across various makes and models. For those with a penchant for luxury, our dedicated guide on Cadillac SRX remote start problems elucidates the challenges and solutions inherent to this elegant SUV. On the other hand, those leaning towards European engineering might be intrigued by our thorough article on VW key fob issues, delving into the intricacies of Volkswagen’s remote access dilemmas.Conclusion
There are many different reasons why your Chevy Malibu remote start may fail to work. The most common causes include a weak or dead key fob battery, check engine light, open hood or doors, low car battery, active valet mode, programming issues, faulty key fob, multiple start attempts, check engine light, or simply a wrong start procedure.
Troubleshooting these issues will help you easily uncover the exact cause behind your vehicle’s automatic start malfunction and fix it. Start with the basics like remote battery replacement and correct start procedure. If you still can’t find the cause of your remote start malfunction, consider contacting your dealership or Chevy technician for further assistance.
