Remote Start Not Working After Battery Change (Fixed!)
If your car remote start stopped working after battery replacement, you may be wondering what could have caused this and how you can fix it. This is a common issue among car owners as it’s evident on various car forums. This guide will shed more light on why it happens and what to do about it.
Remote start not working after battery change is mostly due to loss of programming, malfunctioning or damaged hood switch, or your car slipping in valet mode. Other likely culprits include check engine light, dead remote battery, hazard lights on, etc.
The following article takes you through all the potential causes behind your remote start malfunctioning after changing your vehicle battery. We’ll also discuss the best solution to consider for each of these culprits to help restore your remote starter.
Remote start not working after battery change causes:
Here are all the potential causes behind your remote vehicle start malfunctioning after battery replacement:
Hood switch issues
Do the parking lights flash several times when you press the remote start button? If yes, you could be dealing with a bad switch sensor.
The hood must be opened for your vehicle battery to be changed. Unfortunately, the hood switch may be interfered with during the battery replacement process.
For instance, it may get accidentally disconnected. It may also become bent or damaged.
Remote start won’t start with the hood open to protect you from driving around with an open hood as well as to protect anyone who might be checking the engine.
The malfunctioning sensor reads the hood open even when the hood is properly closed. In other words, a malfunctioning hood switch will stop the remote start from working until it’s fixed.
Solution: Inspect your hood switch for any visible signs of damage and replace it if necessary.
If it was disconnected accidentally, reconnect it back and try using your remote starter again.
If the switch looks dirty or corroded, we advise you to clean it with WD40 to enable it to function properly.
Loss of programming
If you get no response at all from your vehicle when you press the remote buttons, then the two may have fallen out of sync after changing the battery.
This is due to the loss of the programming that enables the two to communicate smoothly with each other.
This is especially the case in older remote controls as they tend to lose their memory the moment you disconnect the car battery.
Newer models may also suffer the same fate though they are less affected.
Solution: To fix this issue, you’ll need to resync/reprogram your remote starter.
You can do it yourself by consulting your user manual or looking for an online guide for your specific remote starter.
Alternatively, you can get a professional remote start installer or your dealership to do the reprogramming for you.
Valet mode is on
Your vehicle may also be stuck in valet mode, which also affects the remote start function. The mode is simply a security feature that you turn on when you hand over your car keys to the valet or a mechanic.
If you had turned on this mode during the battery replacement process and forgot to turn it off, it could be making the remote start malfunctioning.
You may also have accidentally activated the mode by pressing your key fob buttons when inside your pocket or purse.
Some car models may also revert to valet mode the moment their original batteries get disconnected. They may not automatically reset after installing the new battery.
Solution: You’ll need to check whether the valet mode is turned on in your car and figure out how to exit it.
This usually involves pressing a combination of key fob buttons (usually the trunk and lock buttons).
However, you may want to consult your owner’s manual for more info on how to disable this mode in your vehicle.
Other likely causes to consider:
If none of the issues above turns out to be the culprit, you may want to check these additional causes as they may also affect your vehicle’s remote start feature:
- Dead remote battery: The remote or key fob battery may have died at the same time your car battery died. Check the battery in the remote, replace it if it’s dead, and then try the remote start again.
- Vehicle not in park: As a precautionary feature, most remote start systems are programmed not to start your car if the shift lever is in any other gear apart from P (park). This prevents the possibility of your vehicle starting to move when you start it remotely.
- Hazard lights are flashing: Another safety precaution for most remote starters is that they shouldn’t work if the hazard lights are on. Turn off the emergency signals if they’re on before attempting to use the automatic start again.
- Too many start attempts: You may have tried using your remote start too many times and it locked you out. This is a safety measure to help prevent unauthorized access to your vehicle. In this case, you’ll need to manually restart your car to re-enable the remote starter.
- A key fob is inside the car: Most remote starters will also malfunction if they detect a key fob inside the car. Check if you stashed your spare fob somewhere inside your car and take it out.
- Oil and coolant temperature issues: If your vehicle’s coolant temperatures are too high or the oil levels are too low, the automatic starter may also fail to engage to prevent potential engine damage.
- Check engine light is on: In this case, the remote start won’t work until you fix the underlying engine issue(s). Even if there was a check engine light before you changed the battery and it disappeared after the new battery, you’d still want to have your car computer scanned for stored trouble codes to help you identify the issue and fix it.
- Low fuel: Check the amount of gas left in your car gas tank. If it’s too low, it may have caused the remote start function to stop working to prevent potential engine damage when it runs with no gas. Simply top it up and retry the remote starter.
If nothing seems to work, you may also consult a professional remote start installer or your car dealership for further assistance.
You may also want to check your owner’s manual for additional troubleshooting tips for your remote start.
How do you reset your remote start after battery replacement?
If your remote starter is malfunctioning after a batty change, one way to fix it is by resetting the starter.
The exact reset procedure may differ from one car model to another, so we advise you to consult your user manual for more info specific to your car model.
Here are the general steps for resetting your remote starter:
Step 1. Get in your driver’s seat and close all the doors
Step 2. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the Accessory position. Alternatively, push the start button once but don’t push the brakes.
Step 3. Now press the lock button on your key fob and then turn the key off for approx. 5 seconds (or simply push the start button again).
Step 4. Repeat this another 3 times (to make it 4 times in total). On the 4th cycle, you should hear a “ding” or “ping” sound from your car when you enter the programming mode.
At this point, you should press and hold your remote lock button and then turn your car off shortly.
If you’re unable to reset your remote start feature, reach out to your vehicle manufacturer or professional installer for further assistance.
Why does my key fob not work after replacing the battery?
If you’re faced with a situation where your key fob won’t work after replacing the batteries, this is your part.
Follow these troubleshooting tips to fix your malfunctioning key fob:
Check the basics first
First thing first, you want to check the basics such as whether you got the correct battery for your key fob.
Most units operate on a CR2025 or CR2032 battery. However, some models operate on CR1632 or CR1620 batteries.
Next, you want to ensure you correctly installed the battery in its compartment (the +Ve side of the battery faces up in most cases).
You also want to ensure the new battery has sufficient charge as some batteries may be drained and thus make the key fob fail to work.
Inspect the fob for damages
If all the basics above check out, your key fob could be damaged. You may have dropped it or accidentally pressed it and damaged it.
Water may also have gotten inside and damaged it.
The key fob battery terminals could also be loose, rusty, or damaged, causing it to malfunction.
The remote buttons may also have become loose over time. In this case, you may try disassembling your key fob and cleaning out any debris or grime.
This is what may be standing in the way of the buttons and their contacts.
Loss of programming
Your key fob may also have lost its programming due to a recent change of car battery or if you press its buttons too often when you’re out of range.
In this case, reprogramming can help fix your key fob.
Here’s a helpful video on how to reprogram your key fob after battery replacement:
Video:
Conclusion
Now you know why your vehicle remote start may have stopped working after changing the car battery. Most of the time, this is caused by a damaged hood switch sensor, valet mode, or loss of programming caused by a battery change. Other potential causes to consider include dead key fob batteries, check engine light, low fuel, engine temperature issues, etc.
Troubleshooting these culprits will help you pinpoint the exact cause of remote start malfunction after a battery change. We have already provided you with the best fix to consider in each case, so fixing the cause will be easy for you. Remember, if the problem persists, don’t hesitate to consult a professional remote installer or dealership.
