Volkswagen Tiguan Remote Start Not Working (Causes & Solutions)
Having trouble using your VW Tiguan remote starter? If yes, you’ll find this guide helpful. VW Tiguan remote start function failing to work is a common issue among vehicle owners. This guide will shed some light on the most common reasons why this happens and what you can do about it.
Volkswagen Tiguan remote start not working can be caused by a weak or dead key fob remote, faulty remote ignition sensor, defective key fob, check engine light, low fuel levels, open hood/doors/trunk, bad hood switch, improper start sequence, being out of range, valet mode, too many start attempts, programming issues, or your hazard lights being on.
In this article, we’ll discuss full details about all the potential causes of VW Tiguan remote start malfunction. We’ll also discuss how to troubleshoot each of these issues. This way, you’ll be able to pinpoint the exact cause and fix it to restore your remote start functionality.
Volkswagen Tiguan remote start not working causes
Here are all the potential causes for your Volkswagen Tiguan remote start feature to malfunction:
Weak or dead key fob
The most common reason why your Tiguan remote start won’t start is due to a weak or dead key fob battery. The key fob uses a CR2032 battery that gets depleted over time.
When it dies, it won’t be able to power the fob and enable it to send signals to your vehicle, leading to the remote starter malfunction.
Solution: Check the remote battery and replace it with a new one if it’s low on charge or dead. The battery can be easily found in major retail stores that have an electronics section. Make sure you install the battery correctly (i.e., the +Ve side should face up).
Wrong VW remote start operation
Using the wrong procedure to activate your Tiguan remote start will also cause it to fail. This is more common than you think.
Some vehicle owners rarely use their remote feature and usually end up forgetting the correct activation sequence.
Other times, you may be new to the feature, in which case you may also not know the correct procedure to follow.
Solution: Consult your owner’s manual on the correct activation sequence for your remote start feature. The general steps for remote starting for your VW Tiguan include:
Step 1. Press and release the lock button on your key fob
Step 2. Next, press and hold the remote start button for the next 2-3 seconds
Step 3. You should see the turn signal lights flash and the engine will start remotely.
Once started, the engine will run for up to 10 minutes and then automatically shut off.
If you want, you can perform a 2nd remote start that goes for an additional 10 minutes.
Here’s a video showing you how to remote start your VW Tiguan:
Video:
Your car is out of range
The remote start in your Tiguan has a recommended operation range for smooth key fob-to-vehicle communication.
If you’re out of this range, the signal may not reach your vehicle and the engine won’t start.
Solution: Move closer to your vehicle and then retry the remote start again. You may also want to consult your user manual on the correct operation range for your car auto start.
The range may also be affected by obstacles, so ensure there’s a clear line of sight between you and your vehicle.
Too many start attempts
As with many other remote vehicle starts, your Tiguan remote start is also configured to temporarily be disabled if you attempt to start it too many times without success.
This is another helpful safety measure to prevent unauthorized access to your vehicle.
Solution: If you’ve remote-started your vehicle more than two times in quick succession, you’ll need to manually start it to reset the remote feature.
You can do this by inserting the key in the ignition and turning it to the ON and then the OFF position. Get out of the car and then try the remote start again.
Check engine light is on
Your Tiguan automatic start will also fail if the check engine light is illuminating your dashboard. The engine warning light illuminates when your vehicle computer detects issues with the engine.
Starting your vehicle with engine problems may cause further engine damage. Therefore, the VW remote starter is configured to disable until the engine light is cleared.
Solution: You’ll need to scan your Tiguan onboard computer for diagnostic trouble codes responsible for the engine warning light coming on.
The codes will help you determine what the underlying issue is so that you can fix it and restore your remote starter.
Programming issues
Your remote start may also have lost its programming which affects effective communication between it and your vehicle. This can happen when replacing the key fob battery or if the system suffers a glitch.
Solution: Ensure your Tiguan remote start is correctly programmed. Consult your owner’s manual on how to correctly reprogram it for smooth communication with your vehicle.
Low fuel level
If you’re low on fuel or there’s no fuel left in your gas tank, the remote start may also be disabled.
This helps ensure your engine doesn’t start running and end up consuming the little gas left and the gas station is too far away. It also protected your engine from the dangers of idling with no fuel.
Solution: Check if the low fuel indicator is on. If yes, check the amount of gas left in your fuel tank and top it up accordingly.
One of the doors is open
If one of your vehicle doors is open or not securely closed, the remote feature may also fail to engage.
This safety measure prevents your vehicle from starting remotely while there is potential for unauthorized access to your vehicle.
Moreover, this measure helps protect the occupants inside the car, if any.
Solution: Ensure all your doors are properly closed and then attempt to remote start your car again.
The hood or trunk is open
Not closing your Tiguan hood or trunk will also cause the auto starter feature to malfunction.
If the hood is open, it could mean someone is checking the engine compartment. Thus, starting the engine could be dangerous to the person.
An open trunk can cause items to fall out or be damaged or it may cause damage when your vehicle starts moving.
The trunk may also give way for unauthorized access to your vehicle. It can also lead to accidents.
Solution: Ensure that the hood and the trunk are properly closed and securely latched before attempting the remote start again.
For the hood, check if the hood switch is broken, damaged, or missing, as it could also cause the remote starter not to work. If it’s defective, you’ll need to replace it with a new one.
Valet mode is activated
The valet mode in your VW Tiguan ensures the security of your vehicle when you hand over the car keys to a parking attendant or mechanic for servicing. However, if this feature is enabled, it temporarily disables the remote start.
Solution: Verify whether the valet mode is on by checking your parking lights. If they come on once when you unlock/lock the door with your remote starter, then this mode is likely active.
In this case, you’ll need to check the correct procedure for deactivating it and restore the remote start function.
Hazard lights are on
If your Tiguan hazard lights are on, your car will also not remotely start. This is a safety measure that works based on the assumption that hazard lights usually indicate a hazard or emergency situation.
In this case, you must be present to handle this situation as opposed to remote starting from the comfort of your house.
Solution: If your vehicle hazard lights are ON, simply turn them off and then try using the remote starter again.
Key fob is defective
The key fob is a crucial part of your Tiguan remote starter. It sends a signal to your vehicle to activate the remote start. If it’s defective, it won’t be able to communicate with your vehicle.
The key fob could be damaged due to physical abuse or moisture could have infiltrated it.
Its battery contacts could also be loose or rusty, causing it to malfunction. In some cases, the buttons may be loose or sticky and fail to work when pressed.
Solution: Inspect your key fob for visible signs of damage or moisture. Check the battery contacts for signs of rust and clean them.
Try using your spare key fob (if you have one) to remote start your car. If it works, then the original key fob has issues and needs repairs or replacement.
Vehicle alarm is triggered
If your vehicle’s anti-theft system is triggered when you’re attempting to remote start your vehicle, it will also make your vehicle engine fail to start.
The security system is programmed to temporarily disable the remote start when it’s triggered.
This helpful safety measure helps prevent unauthorized access to your vehicle and deter potential theft attempts.
Solution: Check whether your vehicle alarm system is triggered. This is usually accompanied by a flashing security light on your dash.
If the alarm is on, you’ll need to disarm it correctly (consult your user manual on how to do this) and then try remote starting your Tiguan again.
Faulty remote ignition sensor
Another common cause for VW remote start to malfunction is a faulty remote ignition sensor.
This sensor is part of your vehicle security/immobilizer system and is usually located on your vehicle ignition switch or steering column cover.
It detects when the correct remote key fob is used and allows you to start your vehicle.
However, if this sensor malfunctions, it may cause your remote start feature to fail.
Solution: If you suspect your remote ignition sensor is faulty, you’ll need to scan your vehicle computer for any error codes related to the immobilizer system (a safety sensor is highly likely to set a code).
It’s best to have this sensor diagnosed by a qualified VW technician. If the sensor is bad, it will need to be replaced with a new sensor. Ensure the new sensor is correctly programmed to your vehicle during installation.
If you’re delving into issues related to the Volkswagen Tiguan’s remote start, it’s possible you might come across other technological quirks in VW vehicles. Our comprehensive guide on VW We Connect problems gives insight into the challenges faced with Volkswagen’s connectivity suite. Similarly, if you’ve experienced pairing problems or connection drops, our detailed article on VW Bluetooth issues can provide you with troubleshooting steps and potential solutions.Conclusion
Volkswagen Tiguan remote start not working can be caused by many different issues as discussed in the above article. These include a weak or dead key fob, too many start attempts, range issues, wrong activation sequence, open hood/door/trunk, little or no fuel left in the gas tank, check engine light, faulty remote ignition sensor, or a faulty key fob.
To fix your remote start function, you’ll need to pinpoint the exact cause of the malfunction. We advise you to diagnose each of these likely culprits starting with the basic ones like the bad remote battery and range. We have provided the best fix for each problem to help you resolve the underlying issue and make your remote start work again.