Starting Issue Only With Remote Starter

Here are the specifications:
Current average temperature: Day 25F, Night 8F
Packed outside for 36/48 hours.
Engine Oil: First time using 0W30
Remote starter

Battery #1
- In use
- 3-years old
- CA 910
- CCA 730
- 12.10V reading outside car
Battery #2
- Replaced with Battery #1
- Fully charged
- 4.5-years old
- CA 900
- CCA 730
- 11.75V reading after being in the car for eight hours

With the remote starter, the head lights come on, I can hear the electrical starting modules work
but the it does not seem to have enough umph to start the car. After, the headlights will stay on
without the engine starting.

With the ignition, the car will start just as if it's been in the cold (naturally), with just one start.
It looks like a remote issue since the car starts with the ignition at that cold temperature.
Also, it only happens when the car has been in the nippy cold for a period of time,
when the highest temp is about low 20s. Am just getting more info before visiting the remote
starter installers.

Thanks.

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I have a strong feeling the batteries are the culprit.

My question on this is how did the installer circumvent the security system to allow the car to start without a key being in the ignition or near the antenna ring, did you have to sacrifice a key to enable the remote start system to operate?.

Do you have the installation instructions for the remote starter?

In the cold I often get the "start-prevented" message, especially if the car has been sitting outside for a while. Happened to me just this morning after being in 0F temperatures for a week and gave exactly the symptoms you describe. It's caused by low battery voltage. A healthy, fully charged battery should give you 12.6V, anything under 12.4V is an indication that you need to replace the battery.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AKAMick

My question on this is how did the installer circumvent the security system to allow the car to start without a key being in the ignition or near the antenna ring, did you have to sacrifice a key to enable the remote start system to operate?.

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Yep!
Definitely I had to sacrifice a spare key, tucked underneath the dash.
Each of the five vehicles with remote starters has a key underneath the dash somewhere.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by albertj

Do you have the installation instructions for the remote starter?

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Yes I do!
When I went back to inquire what the issue might be, the owner suspected the TACH settings.
One of the installers adjusted it somehow; still doing the same thing.
I would have to go back for more trouble-shooting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sjonnie

In the cold I often get the "start-prevented" message, especially if the car has been sitting outside for a while. Happened to me just this morning after being in 0F temperatures for a week and gave exactly the symptoms you describe. It's caused by low battery voltage. A healthy, fully charged battery should give you 12.6V, anything under 12.4V is an indication that you need to replace the battery.

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Usually, when it happens, I go out to start it, rev it up a bit and let it run for about thirty seconds.
I come out, shut the door and lock the doors with the fob (either the OEM or with the remote starter).
When I start the car with the remote, it will start.

I have two 2001 XC70s. In the first one, I never had any problem. Had to remove this unit from the first one to get installed in the second XC70.
Ironically, after the installation, the installer mentioned there was something kinda different with this car. They had problems getting it to work.
This may be why, I guess.

By the way, I had to replace the battery with a new one anyway; I like to have strong battery for Anchorage.

A very interesting coincidence is, this is the first time I have used a lighter oil (for winter and for 'easier' starting).
I usually stay with OEM recommendation, until now.

I am going to contact the manufacturer of the remote start.
Unfortunately, they don't have a phone support anymore,
just the online case report, which I will do as soon as am done here.
Will report back on this forum with any information I might get from them.

Thanks.

Took the car back to the professional installer, to remove the existing remote starter (Compustar) and install a new Viper 7857V remote starter. Unfortunately, this new one does the same thing; won't start when it is cool outside (52F this morning). This new starter would try to start the car three times. When I got in the car, with the key, the ignition started it at first try.

The previous remote was moved from the other XC70 to this V70XC, both same year (not that any makes a difference). What on earth would be the issue? The common denominator is the one with the the new remote starter. I replaced the battery with a four month old one. The only time it will not start is when it is cold enough. Other times, the fob starts, locks and unlocks the car.

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Does your professional installer have any ideas what the problem may be?

Does the engine crank/turn over with the remote when it's cold out? If so, how many times or how long?
How many times or how long does the engine crank/turnover before starting with the key when it's cold outside? Does it take longer than when warm?
In other words, does the engine need more time to crank before starting when it's cold? If so, can the remote start be adjusted to crank longer if this is the problem?

Is there another issue with your car's COLD START procedure which is somehow being exacerbated by the remote? I dunno, maybe poor fuel delivery? Bad connections with electrical cables?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Xfingers

Does your professional installer have any ideas what the problem may be?

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Nope.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Xfingers

Does the engine crank/turn over with the remote when it's cold out? If so, how many times or how long?
How many times or how long does the engine crank/turnover before starting with the key when it's cold outside? Does it take longer than when warm?
In other words, does the engine need more time to crank before starting when it's cold? If so, can the remote start be adjusted to crank longer if this is the problem?

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Yes, the engine "crank/turn over with the remote when it's cold out"
Can't really say how many times, I think the cranking is just like using the key. This remote is set to try three times, that it, stop and try again.
This part about needed more time before starting is what I plan on discussing with the Viper techs and the installer.

Thanks for all the critical questions!

I have a side question on the same issue. I don't know exactly how to ask this question, but I'll do my best.
What are the differences between starting the car with the remote starter (fob) or with the key (ignition), with respect to getting fuel?
I believe both uses different processes.

Thanks.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me has a better feel for the different starting requirements of a cold engine vs. a warm one. Different fuel amounts? Longer cranking time? These are just guesses by me.

My old 2002 had a remote starter and it worked when temps were in single digits after sitting 8-10 hours. When I used it, after pressing the button there'd be a momentary pause, the door would unlock, a click or two heard from inside the engine compartment, and then it would crank. I'm guessing the remote start somehow activated the solenoid switch for the starter motor. The same darn thing that I believe your key does when you turn it in the ignition cylinder.

If the remote start needs to do more than engage the starter motor (activate the fuel pump?), your installer should be able to provide details. Otherwise, if a cold engine will start with your key but not with your remote, I'm thinking the remote start isn't allowing the car to crank long enough? Maybe you can do a test to see how many seconds the car cranks each time with the remote on a cold engine and then how many seconds it has to crank with the key before starting.

I've learned a lot on these forums but far from being an expert. With starting issues, people talk about CRANK, SPARK, and FUEL. If one of these things isn't adequate, no start. Well, in your case, SPARK is the same for both the remote and your key. So for your cold starting with the remote, either car's not getting enough CRANK or the amount of FUEL is off?

I think it's your right to ask your installer all kinds of questions. When you press the button on the remote, what electrical signals are being sent to the various modules of your car? Let's face it, if the remote start won't work when the engine's cold, what good is it? YOUR ENGINE STARTS FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS WHEN YOU USE THE KEY. Why won't it start with the remote? If your installer has no ideas, answers or explanations, maybe he should give you your money back!

My quick thought would be the ignition interlock bypass is not set up correctly. Maybe try just putting your regular key in the switch without turning it and then try the remote starter?