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09 Avalanche LTZ Remote start not working

JLM09LTZ

Full Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2016
Messages
28
Location
Cleveland, OH
Ok first post on this forum,

I recently purchased a beautiful 2009 Avalanche LTZ last Saturday. Truck was in immaculate condition, 63k, every single option down to the rain sensing wipers and power running boards.. I love this truck. I've had a Tahoe, Suburban, Blazer, K1500, K2500, etc... so I'm not new to the GM truck world but this is the first GMT900 that I've owned. I also currently own a 2007 Grand Prix with the OEM remote start (works fine)

The Problem:
  The remote start is having an issue. I press the lock button on the fob and then I hold the start button for 2-3 seconds. The park lights flash and I can hear a solenoid activate under the hood, but no starter engagement. Hop in the truck and before I touch anything, before I stick the key in the ignition, the CEL is illuminated...  Weird. Stick the key in, turn it to start and there is a 2-3 second delay between the key turning and the starter engaging... Weird. Truck starts, CEL is gone. I grab my scanner to check for stored/pending codes, nothing. To this day, I have not successfully remote started my truck. Google search returned one other account of this situation on a forum but with no solution. The only think I could possibly think is that the truck may have a low battery. When I went to the dealer to buy it, they had to use the jump box to start it but it has been fine since then. My next stop is back to the Chevy Dealer but I know they're going to want $$$$$$$$ to just look at it and to this day, I have never let a dealer repair or diagnose any of my cars/trucks. Any help that you all can give me on this will most definitely be appreciated.

Thanks
-Jay
 
I understand a CEL will prevent the factory remote start from working.

Perhaps the scanner you used cannot display the code for your CEL.

Some errors require a scanner with more capabilities.

I know my scanner is a fairly good one, but it can not display ALL errors.

Just a thought.
 
The part that makes this situation weird is that the CEL goes off once the truck is started with the key. Last night I sat in the truck and went through the remote start process, the CEL comes on immediately once it fails to start remotely. No key in the ignition, no other functions operating.
 
Holding the start button for 2-3 seconds may not be e3nough time for all the relays to fire.........I though mine was fluky when I first bought it.

Lock the doors and within 2 seconds hit the start key for a minimum of 5 seconds first lights, then a relay click and then 1 second later the engine starts. Might not be holding the start button long enough....if I let go to early I get the light flash but no start and then have to cycle again by locking the doors again first.
 
I figured it out (I hope). The previous owner installed an aftermarket 2-way remote start/alarm and the dealer didn't give me the remote. I started looking around under the dash and found a valet button and cut off switch. I flipped the switch and the doors locked so I know it's still connected. If this untit is the style with the starter disable function when armed, it'll explain why I am having this issue. I don't understand why someone would spend $350+ on a pointless aftermarket alarm/remote start system on a truck that already has it installed from the factory. If you just want the 2-way feature, you're causing more unnecessary problems in the long run. I used to install these in college when I worked for circuit city before they went under. Trust me, the OEM integrated systems are so much better in my opinion just because you don't have to cut and splice into the harness. That's opening doors for all types of electrical issues in the future when (not if) that 2-way system starts acting up. Needless to say, I'm taking that junk off of my truck.
 
Last night lights came on for no reason. Lights were flickering with a click near second battery tray under fuse panel. Finally got it to shut off. Then figured out factory remote start wasn?t working. About half hour later same thing. I pulled the fuse to keep the lights off. This morning dead battery. I?ll mess with it when I have free time. Just curious how you made out. Any suggestions?

2007 Avalanche LT3 5.3
 
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