GMC Sierra Remote Start Not Working (Solved!)
Your GMC Sierra remote start is a fun and convenient feature to have until the day it fails to work. This can be quite frustrating, especially if you’re not sure what is causing this problem. In this guide, we’re going to cover everything you need to about this issue and help you restore your remote start feature.
GMC Sierra remote start not working has many potential causes including a weak or dead key fob battery, activated alarm/security system, check engine light on, programming issues, incorrect use, faulty key fob, emission control system malfunction, or disabled remote start feature.
This article takes a closer look at all the potential causes behind your truck remote start failing to work, and potential solutions for each problem. By the time we’re done, you’ll have found why your remote start is failing to work and fixed it for a smooth remote start experience.
Why Your Gmc Sierra Remote Start Is Not Working
Here are the most common causes to consider if your GMC Sierra factory remote system starts malfunctioning:
A weak or dead key fob battery
If your truck remote fails to work, the first thing you should always check is whether the key fob battery is weak or dead. This is usually the culprit behind this problem in most cases.
The key fob battery ought to be replaced after around 3 years. With a low or completely dead battery, the key fob won’t be able to send a signal to your car, so the remote start won’t work.
Solution: If you haven’t changed your key fob battery in a long time, it’s probably weak and you should replace it with a new one.
Be sure to consult your user manual for more info on the correct replacement batteries for your truck and the correct replacement procedure.
Also, make sure you get your batteries from reputable stores so they can last for longer.
Vehicle security system interference
Your remote start failing to work could also have something to do with your vehicle security system interference.
As you already know, your vehicle security or alarm helps prevent unauthorized access to your car. If this security system is activated, it may also prevent your remote start from engaging.
Solution: Check if your vehicle security system is activated. You can easily tell by checking your dashboard for the security system warning light.
If it’s on, then you should go ahead and disarm it before you attempt to remote start your car again.
You may want to consult your owner’s manual for more info on how to disarm your vehicle security system.
You’re not using your remote start correctly
Using your remote start wrongly will also prevent it from starting your care remotely. This is more common than you may think.
Many car owners ignore the correct procedure outlined in the user manual for remote start usage. This ends up in frustration as they repeatedly try to start their car remotely unsuccessfully.
Some people also believe that these systems operate the same way, which isn’t true. Some systems require you to press just a single button while others require pressing a combination of buttons.
Still at it, if you pressed the start button more than once quickly, your car may fail to work until you manually insert the key in the ignition to turn it on and off. After this, your fob should start working again.
Solution: If you’re unsure about the correct procedure, consult your user manual on the correct usage of your remote start. Take note of any mistakes to avoid such as pressing the key repeatedly/multiple times.
Check engine light is on
It’s also quite normal for the remote start system to fail to work in GMC Sierra trucks if the check engine light comes on. So, if you’re still unable to remote start your car, you should check the check engine light is on.
This is usually a safety measure as the warning light turning on usually indicates an issue with your vehicle system or engine.
For instance, the warning light may come on due to your engine overheating, loose gaskets in your vehicle’s combustion and compression chambers, low oil or coolant levels, etc.
Driving your car with these issues can lead to more damage, so it’s advisable to fix them as soon as possible.
Solution: Get your vehicle computer scanned for the error codes that triggered the check engine light to come on.
Then, look up these codes to get an idea of what the underlying issue is and have it fixed to clear the warning light and make your remote start functional again.
Also, look out for common causes of CEL such as a loose gas cap, a fuel pressure sensor, check fluid levels, and other visual indicators.
Your truck is not in the remote start-ready mode
For your GMC remote start feature to work, certain conditions in your vehicle must be met.
For instance, the key shouldn’t be in the ignition, the hood must be closed, doors must be locked, and the hazards must be turned off.
If any of these conditions isn’t met, your key fob won’t turn off the engine. This is meant for safety purposes.
The hood itself has sensors/pins that get signals from the remote start system and prevent you from starting your car when the hood isn’t closed.
This ensures that if anybody is inspecting the engine compartment, the hood doesn’t come down on them. The sensors may also function and cause your remote start not to work.
If the remote system detects the hazards are light on, it also takes it as a warning light and will not turn on the engine until the lights go off.
Additionally, if your truck is not in neutral or park mode, your vehicle may also fail to start
Solution: You need to check that all the conditions required for your remote systems to work are met.
These include checking whether the hood is closed, the key is not in the ignition, the doors are locked, and the hazard lights are deactivated. Ensure the parking or neutral gear is engaged.
After all these conditions are met, try restarting your car and see if it works this time.
The remote start switch is off
Your factory GMC Sierra remote system has an on-and-off switch that controls its functionality. This is usually located under the dash, on the driver’s side.
If this switch is accidentally turned off, your remote system will be non-functional and it won’t respond to pressing the start button on your car.
Solution: Check whether the switch is in the on or off position. If turned off, simply flip the toggle switch back on and then try to remove and start your truck again.
Emission control system malfunction
The emission control system is your vehicle’s exhaust system responsible for getting rid of harmful gases from your truck cabin. This helps ensure your car is safe and free of toxic fumes/gases.
However, if this system becomes faulty, it will be unable to do its job of eliminating the toxic gas from your car system. This can indirectly affect the remote start system functionality.
For instance, if there is a faulty sensor or any component related to your emissions control system malfunctioning, it may trigger the check engine light to come on.
With the CEL illuminating, your remote start will definitely fail to engage.
Solution: Scan your car computer for any stored trouble codes to give you a clue on whether your car has any emission control system-related issues and fix them.
Programming issues
Sometimes your truck remote system may suffer a software glitch that ends up disrupting its functionality. It may lose its programming or it may need reprogramming following a key fob battery replacement. So, if you recently changed the battery, this could be the issue.
Solution: Consider reprogramming your remote start system if you suspect it’s experiencing a software glitch. Consult your owner’s manual for more details on how to reprogram your truck remote system.
The remote start is faulty
If you haven’t pinpointed any of the above issues to your remote starter malfunction issue, then you probably have a faulty remote starter system.
The key fob or the remote control module could be damaged—causing the system to malfunction.
Solution: Diagnosing the remote start system on your car can be challenging, so we advise you to get a GMC technician or dealership to inspect it for any faults and fix them for you.
Why Your Gmc Sierra Remote Start Is Not Working And Check Engine Light Is On
If your remote start is not working and at the same time the checking engine light is illuminating your dash, there could be a relation between these two issues.
As we have mentioned earlier, the check engine light comes on when there’s an issue with your car engine or system. The remote start is configured to prevent the engine from starting if the CEL is illuminating.
There are many reasons why the CEL may come on, e.g. if the coolant temperature is too high or the oil pressure drops too low, issues with the emissions control system, etc.
To address this issue, you’ll need to diagnose your car computer for trouble codes that triggered the CEL to come on.
You can then look up these codes to get an idea of what issue you’re dealing with and hopefully fix it.
Once the repairs are done, you can then go ahead and clear the CEL to allow your remote start function to work smoothly again.
Why Does Your Gmc Sierra Remote Start Not Work Sometimes?
Your truck remote start may also show intermittent behavior where it works sometime and other times it does not.
Several factors could be behind this issue as listed below:
- A weak key fob battery that’s nearing depletion
- Poor signal strength due to issues like distance, inference, and obstacles interfering with communication between your key fob and the car
- Environmental factors such as too hot or cold temperatures may also affect your remote start system performance
- Your vehicle’s electric system may also be experiencing malfunctioning, or the remote system itself could be malfunctioning, resulting in intermittent functionality.
If none of the above factors seems to be behind your remote start system’s intermittent behavior, have a certified auto mechanic or GMC dealership.
They’ll diagnose and address any underlying issues causing your remote start to malfunction.
While you’re exploring the challenges associated with the GMC Sierra’s remote start, it’s worth noting that many vehicle models experience similar issues. Mazda owners, for example, have reported remote start problems, and our comprehensive guide on Mazda remote start not working can offer valuable solutions. Additionally, if you’re curious about other GMC models, our detailed article on GMC Acadia remote start not working provides insights into this specific model’s challenges.Conclusion
We have just discussed the potential causes of this issue in the above guide, including a weak key fob battery, incorrect usage of the remote system, check engine light on, various conditions not being met, security system interference, and a disabled remote system.
When faced with a malfunctioning remote start system in your GMC Sierra, you should always try to find the culprit first before doing any repairs. If you’re not confident diagnosing your remote system, contact a qualified mechanic or GHMC dealership for further assistance.
