Chevy Sonic Remote Start Not Working

Chevy Sonic Remote Start Not Working (Fix It Now!)

If you own a Chevy Sonic and just noticed its remote start feature isn’t longer working, you may be asking yourself many questions like: Why did my remote start stop working? What can I do to make it start working again? This guide will shed more light on your remote start malfunction.

Chevy sonic remote start not working may be caused by: Dead remote battery, car battery issues, check engine light is activated, open doors or hood, incorrect remote use, car not in “Park”, disabled remote start feature, active hazard lights, too many remote start attempts, leaving the key fob in the car, or oil and coolant pressure issues.

In this article, we have shared more helpful insights on why your vehicle remote start just stopped working. Plus, you’ll discover helpful tips on how to solve various problems associated with remote start issues.

Why Your Chevy Sonic Remote Start Is Not Working

Why Your Chevy Sonic Remote Start Is Not Working

Here are the most likely reasons why your Chevy Sonic remote start feature is malfunctioning:

Dead remote battery

One of the common causes for malfunctioning Chevy Sonic remote start is a dead remote battery.

Your key fob is armed with a battery that enables it to send a signal to your car to lock/unlock it as well as turn on the engine.

Over time, this battery becomes weak with repeated use and will eventually fail—causing the remote starter to stop working.

Solution: Consider replacing your key fob battery and try remote starting your car to see if it works.

Make sure you consult your user manual on the correct replacement battery to use for your vehicle and install it correctly.

Also, ensure you get quality batteries that will last for an extended period of time.

During the battery replacement, ensure the battery contacts are clean and rust-free and are not loose as they may affect the remote functionality.

Car battery issues

Another likely cause for your Chevy Sonic malfunctioning remote start is a drained car battery.

Your remote start system requires a minimum amount of battery power to enable it to power its electronic components and activate the starter motor.

Therefore, if your vehicle battery voltage is low, you’re likely to have malfunctioning remote start issues.

The battery may be drained if you leave the lights or accessories such as the radio on in your car or due to extreme weather conditions. An aged battery can also become defective and unable to store charge.

Chevy Sonic Car battery issues

Source: You’ll need to test your vehicle battery with a multimeter to see if its charge is at the recommended level.

If the voltage reads anything below 12V on your multimeter, then the battery has low voltage and needs to be recharged or jumpstarted.

If your battery continues to work correctly after recharging then you may want to check whether your charging system is faulty and replace it as necessary.

However, if the battery doesn’t seem to store charge for long, it is defective and needs a replacement.

Check engine light is activated

In many vehicles, including your beloved Sonic, the remote start won’t work if the check engine light (CEL), also known as malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is activated.

This is a safety measure based on the idea that the CEL comes on when your engine has issues or is due to a faulty emissions control system.

Therefore, starting your car may cause overheating and further engine problems. If the emission system has issues, it could damage other vehicle components.

Chevy Sonic Check engine light is activated

Solution: Your vehicle won’t stop until you fix the check engine light, so you’ll need to get your car computer scanned for the error codes that may have triggered the warning light to come on.

This will give you a clue about what the underlying issue with your car is. Afterward, you can get the problem diagnosed and resolved by a qualified auto mechanic to clear the light and revive your remote start function.

The hood or doors are ajar

Another condition that must be met for your Chevy Sonic to respond to remote start command is that the hood and doors must be properly closed.

The hood usually features a safety pin (some sort of sensor) that detects if the hood isn’t fully latched and closed and prevents your remote start from engaging.

This serves as a safety precaution to ensure the vehicle doesn’t move when you’re inspecting the engine compartment. Sometimes, this sensor may malfunction and cause issues with the remote start system.

Likewise, not properly closing and locking your doors will give you problems trying to use the remote start function.

This is because open doors go against your security system as it allows unauthorized access to your car when it’s running.

Solution: Check whether your hood is properly closed before you attempt to start your vehicle again.

If the hood looks properly closed, check whether its switch/sensor/pin is rusty or broken and get it replaced.

Ensure all your vehicle doors are closed and locked securely.

Make sure all your door sensors detect all the doors as securely shut before you attempt to use the remote start again.

Incorrect remote use

Using your remote start incorrectly will also make it fail. This is common for people who rarely use their remote start feature. So, they easily forget the correct starting procedure.

Pressing the wrong combination of buttons may also change your remote functionality. This is common for remotes with “Second car mode,” which allows the same remote to work on another vehicle.

Chevy Sonic Incorrect remote use

Solution: If you haven’t used your remote start in a while, consult your manual on the correct procedure for activating the remote start feature.

If necessary, have someone else try using your remote start to see if it works.

Ideally, this is how you should use the key fob to remote start your car:

  • Point the key fob to your car
  • Press the lock button to secure your car
  • Now press and hold the remote start button until you see lights flash as a signal. The engine will then start!
  • If you’re using your smartphone to start your car, follow these steps:
  • Open “MyChevrolet” app on your phone
  • Look for the key that has key fob symbol inside it
  • Locate a gray circle with a circular arrow on the “Engine” row and click it
  • Now enter your pin

The car is not in park gear

One of the conditions required for your car to remote start is that the transmission must be in PARK mode.

This safety measure helps prevent your car from moving unexpectedly when you remotely start it. If you left your car in any other gear, e.g. forward or reverse, then the remote start won’t work.

Chevy Sonic car is not in park gear

Solution: Before you attempt to remote start your car, make sure it isn’t moving and the shift lever sits in the park position.

Remote key is inside the car

Did you leave the key inside your car? If yes, then your Sonic remote start may also fail to function.

This security measure is based on the fact that leaving the keys inside your car can lead to unauthorized access to your running vehicle.

Solution: Confirm that there’s no key fob inside your vehicle. In case it’s inside, remove it and try remote starting your car to see if it works with the key outside the vehicle.

Hazard warning lights are on

Your remote start is also configured not to start if the hazard lights are on. This requirement helps ensure the hazard lights do not flash when your vehicle is running and there’s no driver inside.

Chevy Sonic Hazard warning lights are on

Solution: If your vehicle hazard lights are on, turn them off before you attempt to remote start your vehicle again.

Too many remote start attempts

If you have attempted using the remote start feature multiple times unsuccessfully, it could also be the reason the feature isn’t working in your car.

Most people do not know this but the remote start system has the maximum number of consecutive start attempts. This helps with security, safety, and emission control purposes.

After you reach this limit, your remote start will be disabled until you manually start your car again using the ignition key to reset the system.

Chevy Sonic many remote start attempts

Solution: If you’ve attempted multiple starts, consider manually starting your car and going for a short drive.

This will help reset the remote start feature so that next time you can remotely start it without any issues.

Oil and coolant pressure issues

The oil pressure getting too low or the coolant temperature being too high may also cause your remote start feature not to work.

This is another way of safeguarding your engine to prevent it from being damaged.

Chevy Sonic Oil and coolant pressure issues

Solution: Check that your engine oil pressure and coolant temperature are at the recommended levels.

If necessary, allow your car to cool down before you try to remote start it again. If these levels look okay, your instruments may be faulty and thus display misleading reports.

In this case, you’ll need to have them checked and fixed by a qualified auto mechanic.

Your remote start system could be faulty

If you have checked all the above issues and none seems to be affecting your remote start, then you may be having a faulty key fob or remote control module.

The key fond itself could have some damages that stop it from working correctly.

For instance, the contacts inside its buttons tend to wear over time and are no longer able to properly transmit signals from the remote to your car.

Other likely issues with your remote start system include loose wiring connection, defective remote transmitter or receiver, faulty starter relay, or issues with other related components.

Solution: If you suspect your remote start is faulty, we suggest taking it to a reliable auto technician or the nearest dealer to have them inspect it for you and repair it as necessary.

Why Chevy Sonic Remote Start Does Not Work Sometimes

Why Chevy Sonic Remote Start Does Not Work Sometimes

Intermittent starting is also a common issue for the Chevy Sonic. If you experience this issue, the first culprit to consider is dead remote batteries.

If the battery checks out, other potential culprits to consider include bad car battery connections, faulty main ground connection, faulty remote transponder, signal interference, immobilizer system issues, etc.

If you’re unable to figure out the cause of the intermittent issue of your remote start, we suggest taking your car and the key fob(s) to your dealership so they can look into them for you.

As you navigate the specific challenges of the Chevy Sonic’s remote start system, it’s insightful to see how vehicles across the brand spectrum experience related issues. For those interested in luxury SUVs, the Cadillac Escalade has its distinct remote start challenges, illuminated in our article on Cadillac Escalade remote start problems. Similarly, another model within the Chevy lineup, the Chevy HHR, isn’t free from these concerns. Dive into the details with our comprehensive guide on Chevy HHR remote start issues to learn more.

Conclusion

Now you know the potential causes for your Chevy Sonic remote start to stop working. These include dead key fob battery, drained car battery, check engine light, open hood or doors, incorrect start procedure, active hazard lights, car not in park mode, too many start attempts, issues with coolant temperature and oil pressure levels, or a faulty remote start system.

We have just discussed the best solution for each of these problems in the above guide. So, you’ll have an easy time diagnosing and fixing the underlying problem causing your remote start malfunction. If you’re unable to fix the problem, we recommend you consult a qualified technician or the nearest dealership for further diagnosis of your remote start system.

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