GMC Acadia Remote Start Not Working

GMC Acadia Remote Start Not Working (Causes And Fixes)

Are you having trouble using your GMC Acadia remote start system? Are you wondering why it has suddenly stopped working? If yes, this article will help you out. We have researched more about this issue and found helpful details that we’re going to share with you in this guide.

GMC Acadia remote start not working can arise from many different issues including a dead key fob battery, active check engine light, the hood isn’t closed, range issues, obstructions, disabled remote start system, improper activation procedure, programming issues, active security system, and a faulty remote start system.

This article discusses comprehensive details about all the potential causes of your Acadia remote start system failing to work. We’ll also share with you helpful troubleshooting tips to resolve the underlying issue and make your remote start functional again.

Why Your Gmc Acadia Remote Start Is Not Working

Why Your Gmc Acadia Remote Start Is Not Working

GMC Acadia remote start system failing to start is a common problem among vehicle owners. Below, we list all the likely culprits causing this problem in your vehicle:

A dead key fob battery

The first thing to check when you have an issue with your Acadia remote start system is your key fob battery. The battery may be nearing depletion or may have completely died.

In either case, it won’t produce the power required for the key fob to send a signal to your car to engage the remote start function.

Solution: Check whether the battery in your key fob is weak or dead and replace it with a new one if necessary. And make sure you use the correct type of battery for your key fob.

If the battery isn’t the problem, try using a different key fob to see if it works. If it does, this could mean the other one is damaged.

Drained car battery

Just like in the case of a key fob battery, a drained vehicle battery may also affect your vehicle remote start functionality.

The remote system installed in your car requires a certain amount of power to function correctly.

Thus, if your battery is weak/dead, it won’t be able to supply the system with the necessary power, causing it to malfunction.

Solution: Check your car battery and ensure it’s fully charged and in a healthy working condition. If you test the battery and it registers a voltage below the recommended level, you’ll need to recharge it.

If you suspect the battery is unhealthy, probably due to old age, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.

Out of range

Another potential cause for your remote start to fail to engage is operating the system while out of range. If you’re standing too far away from your car, you may get no response.

This is because the signal is not strong enough to reach your car.

GMC Acadia Remote Out of range

Solution: Ensure you’re in the correct range for your remote start feature to work. Try moving a bit closer to your car and then try to remote start it again to see if it works.

Obstructions

The presence of physical obstructions may also interfere with proper communication between your key fob and the car.

For instance, walls, trees, buildings, other vehicles, etc., can easily block or weaken the signal from the key fob, making it unable to reach your car.

Solution: Move to an area with a clear line of sight between you and your car and then try to remote start your vehicle again.

Remote start is not enabled

It’s also possible that the remote start system isn’t enabled in your car, thus causing it to malfunction. This is especially true if your car wasn’t equipped with a remote start function from the factory.

It’s also likely that this system has been deactivated or accidentally disabled.

Solution: check your user manual for more info on whether your car is equipped with a remote start system. If the system is there, then make sure it’s activated and enabled.

You may need to hire a professional to check whether the system s enabled in your car and activate it as necessary.

Vehicle security system interference

If there’s an issue with your vehicle security system, or if it has been activated, it may disable the remote start. This can lead to futile start attempts, as the system won’t respond to your key fob.

GMC Acadia Vehicle security system interference

Solution: Check if your security system is armed by looking for the security light on your dash. Also, check if there are any error messages related to the security system displayed on your dash.

Consult your user manual on how to disarm your security system correctly. You can also contact a technician or GMC dealership to help you resolve any issues related to your security system.

Improper activation sequence

It’s also highly likely that you’re using the wrong sequence to activate your vehicle remote start function. This is a common mistake made by many car owners.

Unfortunately, you must stick to the right activation sequence, and making any mistake will make the system not engage.

Solution: Check the correct activation sequence in your owner’s manual and ensure you’re following it just as outlined.

Generally, this involves pressing the Lock button followed by the remote start button in quick succession (less than 5 seconds).

Programming issues

In some cases, your remote start system may need programming or reprogramming to enable it to communicate effectively with your car electronics.

This can happen if your system suffers software glitches or if it was incorrectly programmed.

GMC Acadia Remote Programming issues

Solution: Consult your user manual or reach out to a qualified technician to confirm whether your system is correctly programmed for your car model.

If reprogramming is necessary, follow the exact procedure provided in your user manual or hire a professional to do it for you.

Check engine light is on

Yes, if you have the cheek engine light illuminating your dash, then it’s highly likely it’s the reason your remote start function is malfunctioning.

The remote start system is usually disabled whenever the check engine light comes on.

This is a safety precaution as CEL usually indicates an issue with your vehicle engine.

Solution: You’ll need to have your vehicle scanned for the error codes that trigger the check engine light to come on.

Then, you should repair the underlying problem or clear the check engine light to restore your remote start system functionality.

Malfunctioning hood switch

Your Acadia remote system usually comes with a hood switch or sensor that prevents the engine from turning on if it detects the hood isn’t properly closed.

However, if this switch becomes damaged or starts malfunctioning, it may also cause your remote start to fail to work.

Solution: First, you’ll need to confirm if you’ve closed your hood properly. Next, you’ll need to inspect the hood sensor/pin.

Ensure it’s properly aligned and in good working condition. If the switch is bad, have it replaced by a technician.

Wiring issues

If your remote starts system wiring becomes loose or damaged, it may also cause the system not to function properly.

Various factors can contribute to the wiring because of faulty, e.g. normal tear and wear, incorrect installations, or even environmental factors.

Solution: Have a professional inspect your remote start system wiring for signs of damage, loose connections, or improper connections.

The professional will fix any issues with the wiring to restore your remote start system functionality.

Fault remote start system

The remote start system may also be faulty and thus affect its proper functionality. For instance, the key fob may be damaged or have issues with its internal circuitry.

The remote control module installed in your car may also be faulty or having wiring issues as we’ve discussed above. In either case, the remote start functionality will be affected.

Solution: Check if your key fob has any visible signs of damage such as loose or broken buttons.

Alternatively, have your remote start system inspected by a qualified technician or your GMC dealership to ensure they’re in good working condition.

Why Gmc Acadia Remote Start Is Not Working And The Check Engine Light Is On

Check engine light coming on automatically disables the factory remote start function. This explains why you’re having issues remote starting your Acadia.

Check engine illuminating usually means there’s an issue with your vehicle engine or the emission system.

The light may come on due to a variety of factors such as a faulty O2 sensor, loose gas cap, engine misfire, or faulty catalytic converter.

Why Gmc Acadia Remote Start Is Not Working And The Check Engine Light Is On

We advise you not to ignore the check engine light on your car as it could lead to further damage to your vehicle if not addressed.

You can easily resolve this issue and make your remote start working again by having your vehicle onboard computer scanned.

This will help pull the trouble codes that triggered the CEL and give you a clue of what problem your car is experiencing.

You can then have the problem fixed or simply clear the CEL light (though we recommend fixing the issue) to clear the light.

Why Gmc Acadia Doesn’t Start But Make A Sound And Light Blink On The Remote Start

Another common issue with remote start in Acadia vehicles is that when you press the remote start button, the lights blink and a sound comes out but the car never starts.

Why Gmc Acadia Doesn’t Start But Make A Sound

If this is the exact issue you’re experiencing this issue with your Acadia, you’ll need to check the following:

  • Check whether the key fob battery is in good health and replace it if necessary
  • Ensure your car battery is in good shape and has a sufficient amount of charge
  • Confirm that you’re following the correct activation sequence for your Acadia remote start system
  • Also, ensure you’re within the recommended range for your remote start function to function correctly
  • Ensure your hood sensor is functioning properly and it is not misaligned or faulty
  • Go through your vehicle settings to ensure your remote start system s enabled as it may have been accidentally switched off.
  • You may also consider having your vehicle checked for any pending codes. These could help you uncover an underlying issue that’s causing the remote start not to engage.
  • If your remote start system is newly installed, then you may consider checking whether your Acadia has remote start capability.

If nothing is working, you may want to reach out to your technician or GMC dealership. They’ll scan/diagnose your car to find out what’s troubling it and fix it for you.

As you navigate the intricacies of the GMC Acadia’s remote start challenges, it’s enlightening to know that even luxury and globally renowned brands face similar concerns. Our extensive coverage on Lexus remote start issues delves into the possible hurdles faced by Lexus owners. On a similar note, Kia, a brand known for its innovation, isn’t free from these challenges either. Dive into our article on Kia remote start not working for a closer look at potential fixes and insights.

Conclusion

Many potential causes may make your GMC Acadia remote start system not work. These include a dead key fob battery, a bad car battery, range issues, obstructions, active check engine light, vehicle security system interference, remote start wiring issues, programming issues, bad hood switch, improper use, or a faulty remote start system.

We advise you to troubleshoot each of these potential causes to help you easily identify the underlying issue and fix it so that you can restore your remote start system. If you’re unable to do the diagnosis on your own, consult a qualified remote start technician or your dealership for further assistance.

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