Key Takeaways
- Check Engine Light (CEL): If your engine light is on, remote start is disabled automatically. This is the #1 cause.
- Key Fob Battery: Replace the CR2032 battery if you haven't done it in the last 2-3 years.
- Hood Latch Sensor: If the car thinks the hood is open (even if it's closed), it won't start.
- The "Two Start" Rule: You can only remote start the car twice (or one start + one extension) before you have to turn the ignition key manually.
- Loose Gas Cap: A loose cap triggers an emissions code, which triggers the CEL, which kills the remote start. Tighten it!
The Short Answer: Why Your Cruze Won't Start
If your 2017 Chevy Cruze remote start isn't working, check your dashboard for a Check Engine Light. If that light is on, the computer disables remote start to protect the engine. Fix the code (often just a loose gas cap) and clear it, and remote start will work again. If there is no light, change the battery in your key fob (CR2032). These two things account for about 90% of the issues I see.
Now that we got the quick answer out of the way lets dive into the details, because sometimes cars are just stubborn and it's a little more complicated than a dead battery.
Understanding the "Why" (Don't skip this part)
It drives me nuts when things don't work, especially when it's freezing outside and you just want the car warm. But you have to understand why Chevy designed the system this way. According to the owner's manual and general GM tech info, the remote start system is a privilege, not a right. The car's computer (the ECU) runs a quick health check the second you press that button.
If the car sees anything that suggests the engine isn't 100% healthy, it aborts the start. Why? Because you aren't in the car to see the oil pressure drop or smell burning coolant. It's a safety feature. So, when we troubleshoot this, we aren't just trying to "turn it back on," we are trying to convince the computer that the car is safe to run without a human in the driver's seat.
Troubleshooting Step 1: The Check Engine Light
I cannot stress this enough. Even if the light isn't currently glaring at you, there might be a "pending code" stored in the computer.
When the Check Engine Light (CEL) is on, the remote start function is totally disabled. This is the most common reason for failure on the 2017 Cruze. It could be something serious, but honestly, it's usually something stupid.
The Loose Gas Cap Scenario
Believe it or not, if you didn't click your gas cap tight enough the last time you filled up, the car detects an evaporative leak. This throws a code. That code turns on the CEL. That light kills your remote start.
The Fix: Go tighten your gas cap until it clicks. You might have to drive the car for a few cycles (turning it on and driving for 10-15 mins) for the light to clear itself. Or, if you have an OBDII scanner, you can clear the code yourself.
Using a Scanner
If you own a 2017 Cruze, or really any modern car, you should have a cheap OBDII scanner in your glovebox. You can get them for like $20 online. Plug it into the port under the dashboard on the driver's side. If it shows any codes (like P0300 for misfire or P0442 for evap leak), that is your culprit. You have to fix that issue before the remote start will work again.
Troubleshooting Step 2: The Key Fob Battery
Okay, so your dash is clear and there are no warning lights. The next suspect is the thing in your hand. The 2017 Cruze fobs are decent, but they eat batteries if you are constantly unlocking the doors from a distance.
Even if the fob still unlocks the doors, the battery might be too weak to send the strong, sustained signal needed for the remote start sequence. The remote start signal requires a bit more "juice" than a simple door unlock command.
How to change it
Its super easy. You don't need to pay the dealer $15 to do this.
- Press the little chrome button on the side to pop out the physical metal key.
- Use that key (or a flathead screwdriver) to gently pry the two halves of the plastic shell apart. Don't force it too hard or you'll crack the plastic.
- Locate the battery. It is a CR2032. This is a standard watch battery you can buy at any grocery store.
- Swap it out. Make sure the Positive (+) side is facing UP.
- Snap the case back together.
Pro Tip: While you have it open, check the metal contacts. If they look a little corroded or dirty, wipe them with a Q-tip and a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol. Sometimes it's just a bad connection inside the remote.
Troubleshooting Step 3: The Hood Latch Sensor
This one is sneaky. Your car has a safety switch under the hood. If the car thinks the hood is open, it will absolutely refuse to remote start. This is to prevent the engine from starting while a mechanic has their hands inside the engine bay. Makes sense, right?
However, on the Chevy Cruze, the hood latch sensor can get dirty, grimy, or just misaligned. If this happens, the dashboard might say "Hood Open" even when it's closed. Or, sometimes it doesn't even show the message but the sensor is "open" enough to block the start signal.
How to test it
Go to the front of the car. Open the hood and slam it shut. Firmly. I'm not saying dent it, but give it a good solid close. Try the remote start again. If it works, you know your latch is sticky.
You can also look at the latch mechanism (where the hook catches). If it looks full of grease and road gunk, spray some WD-40 or electrical contact cleaner in there to clean the switch contacts.
Troubleshooting Step 4: The "Maximum Attempts" Limit
A lot of people don't know this exists. Chevy has a limit on how many times you can remote start the car between drive cycles.
According to the manufacturer, you can perform two remote starts.
1. The initial start (runs for 10 or 15 minutes).
2. A frantic "extension" start because you aren't ready to leave yet.
Once those two cycles are done, the remote start function is locked out. You must get in the car, put the key in the ignition (or press the start button), and turn the car on normally to reset the counter.
If you were playing with the fob or trying to show a friend how it works and it fired up twice, it won't work a third time until you manually cycle the ignition.
Troubleshooting Step 5: Hazard Lights and Doors
The computer checks a list of conditions before firing the spark plugs. If any of these are true, it's a no-go:
- Hazard Lights are On: If your 4-way flashers are blinking, remote start is disabled.
- Doors or Trunk Ajar: If a door isn't closed all the way, or the trunk is popped, it won't start. Check your dashboard for the "Door Ajar" warning.
- Key is inside the car: If you have a spare key hidden inside the glovebox or somewhere in the interior, the car knows. It won't remote start if it detects a fob inside the cabin (to prevent theft).
- Car is not in Park: The gear selector must be firmly in PARK. Sometimes, if the shifter cable is loose, it might be slightly off. Give the shifter a wiggle and make sure it's all the way forward.
The "Nuclear Option": Disconnecting the Battery
If you have checked the CEL, changed the fob battery, slammed the hood, and ensured the hazards are off, and it still won't work, the computer might just be confused. Computers crash. It happens.
You can try a "hard reset" of the car's electronics.
Warning: This will likely reset your radio station presets and might reset your clock.
- Pop the hood.
- Using a 10mm wrench (it's always a 10mm, isn't it?), disconnect the Negative (-) black terminal from the car battery.
- Let it sit disconnected for about 10 to 15 minutes. Go grab a coffee.
- Reconnect the cable and tighten it down.
- Start the car manually with the key first. Let it run for a minute.
- Turn it off, get out, lock the doors, and try the remote start.
This clears out temporary glitch memory in the Body Control Module (BCM). If this doesn't work, you are likely looking at a hardware failure or a software update that only the dealer can do.
When to see the Dealer
I hate going to the dealership as much as you do. But there are two specific instances where you might have to for a 2017 Cruze remote start issue:
1. BCM Software Updates: Sometimes GM releases updates for the Body Control Module. If there is a bug in the code that controls the remote start, no amount of battery unplugging will fix it. The dealer has to flash the computer.
2. Broken Receiver: There is a receiver in the car that listens for the key fob signal. If that part burns out (rare, but it happens), you need a mechanic to replace it.
A Note on Aftermarket Starters
Did you buy the car used? Are you sure the remote start is factory original?
If you have a weird looking key fob, or a separate little remote just for starting, you have an aftermarket system (like Viper or Compustar).
If that's the case, almost none of the advice above applies except for the battery in the remote. Aftermarket systems have "Valet Modes" that disable starting. Usually, you toggle this by pressing the lock and trunk buttons together, or flipping a switch under the dashboard. You'll need to look up the manual for that specific brand of starter.
Wrapping it up
Look, 9 times out of 10, when a buddy calls me about this, it's the Check Engine Light. Even if the car drives fine, that light is the kill switch for your remote start convenience. Get the code scanned, fix the issue (tighten that gas cap!), and you'll probably be back in business.
If the car is code-free, swap that CR2032 battery. It costs like $5 for a two-pack. It's the cheapest repair you'll ever do.
Stay warm out there!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Check Engine Light disable remote start on a Chevy Cruze?
Yes, absolutely. This is the most common reason for failure. If the Engine Control Unit (ECU) detects any fault that triggers the light, it disables the remote start feature for safety reasons.
How do I reset my remote start after using it twice?
You just need to start the car normally. Unlock the door, get in, insert the key (or press the start button with the brake depressed), and turn the engine on. Once the engine is running, the remote start counter resets to zero.
What battery does the 2017 Chevy Cruze key fob take?
It uses a CR2032 3-volt coin cell battery. They are very common and can be found at pharmacies, grocery stores, and online.
Can I add remote start to my 2017 Cruze if I don't have it?
Yes, but it's not as simple as buying a new key fob. The car usually has the hardware capable of doing it, but you need to buy a "Remote Start Upgrade Kit" from GM and have a dealer program the car's computer to recognize the new fobs. It usually costs between $200 and $400 depending on labor.
Will a low car battery stop remote start?
Yes. If the car's main 12V battery is weak, the remote start system might try to engage, but the voltage drop will be too severe, causing the system to abort the start to save what little power is left.
Why do my lights flash but the car won't start?
If you press the lock button and then hold the start button, and the lights flash but no engine noise happens, the car received the signal but rejected the request. This confirms it is a safety lockout (like a hood latch issue, Check Engine Light, or hazard lights on) rather than a dead key fob.