FIXED: 2020 ram 1500 remote start not working

The Short Answer: Why Your 2020 Ram Won't Remote Start

If you are standing in the driveway pressing that button and nothing happens, here is the immediate answer. Your 2020 Ram 1500 likely won't remote start because of one of these three common reasons: your Check Engine Light is on, your fuel level is too low (fuel light is on), or the truck thinks the hood is open.

The computer in the 5th Gen Ram is designed to disable remote start if it detects any safety risk or engine issue. Even a loose gas cap that triggers a silent error code will shut the system down. Go check your dashboard for lights first.

The "Nanny" System: Why the Truck Says No

Look, I love my Ram, but the electronics can be a bit of a nanny sometimes. It's frustrating when you just want the cabin to be warm on a cold morning and the truck refuses to wake up. But you have to understand the logic behind it. Ram engineers designed the system to protect the truck-and you.

Think about it. If your engine had low oil pressure, you wouldn't want it idling in the driveway for 15 minutes with nobody watching the gauges. That engine would be toast. So, the computer runs a massive checklist every time you double-click that fob. If even one box isn't checked, it denies the request.

According to the 2020 Ram 1500 Owner’s Manual (and plenty of angry forum threads), the following conditions must be met for remote start to work:

• The transmission must be in PARK.
• All doors, the hood, and the tailgate must be closed.
• The hazard lights must be off.
• The fuel level must be above a minimum threshold (usually about 1/8th of a tank).
• The battery voltage must be normal.
• There are no active Check Engine lights.
• The panic button isn't currently pressed.

If you're good on all those, we need to dig deeper into the specific glitches that plague the 2020 model year.

The #1 Suspect: The Hood Latch Sensor

Honestly this is the most annoying one. There is a small sensor inside the latch mechanism under your hood that tells the computer if the hood is closed. If the truck thinks the hood is up, it disables remote start because it doesn't want the engine to kick on while a mechanic has their hands near the fan belt.

The problem is that on the 2020 models, this sensor gets dirty really easily. Road grime, salt, and grease gunk it up.

How to test it: Get in the truck and start it normally. Look at your instrument cluster. Does it say the hood is open? If it does, and you know for a fact you slammed it shut, then your sensor is bad or dirty.

The Fix: You can try cleaning the latch mechanism with some electrical contact cleaner or even WD-40 to displace moisture. Open the hood, spray the latch mechanism generously, and open/close the hood a few times firmly. If that doesn't work you might need to replace the latch assembly. It's a pretty cheap part and takes about 20 minutes to swap out.

The "Invisible" Check Engine Light

This one catches people off guard all the time. You might say, "But my check engine light isn't on!"

Here is the thing-sometimes the code is "pending." This means the computer has detected an issue but hasn't triggered the light on the dash yet. However, the remote start system is sensitive enough to see that pending code and shut down.

Also, something as simple as a loose gas cap can cause an EVAP system leak code. This is enough to kill the remote start. I had a buddy whose Ram wouldn't start for three weeks just because his gas cap gasket was dried out. He bought a $15 replacement cap and boom, remote start worked again.

If you have an OBDII scanner (you can get cheap ones on Amazon for like $20), plug it in and see if there are any stored codes. Clear them, and try the remote start again. If it fires up, you know an error code was the culprit.

Low Battery Voltage (The Silent Killer)

Modern trucks are basically rolling computers. They need stable power. The 2020 Ram has a Battery Management System (BMS) that constantly monitors the health of your battery.

If your battery is a few years old or it's been really cold outside, the voltage might drop slightly below the "ideal" range. The truck will still start with the push-button inside because you are there to manage it. But the remote start logic says, "Whoa, power is low. I'm going to save this remaining juice to ensure the driver can start the truck manually."

This happens a lot if you only drive short distances. The alternator doesn't have time to fully charge the battery back up. If you suspect this is the issue, try hooking your truck up to a battery tender or charger overnight. If the remote start works the next morning, you know your battery is on its way out.

Key Fob Troubles

Sometimes the problem isn't the truck at all. It's the thing in your hand. The key fobs for the 5th Gen Rams are nice, but they eat batteries.

If you have to press the button incredibly hard, or you have to be standing right next to the driver's window to get it to work, change the battery. It usually takes a CR2450 or CR2032 battery (check the back of your specific fob). It’s super easy to pop open with a small flathead screwdriver.

The "RF Hub" Issue: There is a known issue with the Radio Frequency (RF) Hub on some 2020 Rams. This is the receiver inside the truck that listens for your key fob signal. Sometimes, this module just... locks up. It’s like when your WiFi router at home stops working and you have to unplug it.

You can try a "hard reset" on the truck to fix this:

1. Open the hood.
2. Disconnect the negative (black) battery terminal.
3. Wait about 15 to 20 minutes. Go grab a coffee.
4. Reconnect the cable and tighten it down.

This forces all the electronic modules, including the RF Hub, to reboot. It’s a classic "turn it off and on again" fix, but it works surprisingly often.

Valet Mode: Did You accidentally turn it on?

I feel like nobody talks about this, but it happens. If you were messing around in your Uconnect settings, you might have accidentally enabled "Valet Mode."

Valet mode restricts a bunch of features on the truck to keep parking attendants from joyriding or messing with your settings. One of the things it often disables is the remote start. Go into your Uconnect screen, check the vehicle settings, and make sure Valet Mode is turned off.

Also, while you are in the settings menu, navigate to Settings > Doors & Locks. Look for the "Remote Start System" option. Make sure the check box is actually checked. Sometimes software updates over-the-air (OTA) can glitch out and reset your preferences to default, turning the feature off.

The Fuel Level "Fail Safe"

We touched on this earlier, but it's worth repeating because it's so simple. The Ram logic dictates that if the "Low Fuel" warning light is on, remote start is disabled.

Why? Because the system usually runs the engine for 15 minutes. If you are already low on gas, idling for 15 minutes could suck the tank dry. Then you'd come out to a warm truck that won't drive anywhere because it's out of gas. That would be way worse than a cold truck.

If your needle is hovering near the red, go fill up. It’s the easiest fix on this list.

When to See a Mechanic

If you have checked the hood latch, cleared the engine codes, replaced the fob battery, and verified your truck battery is strong, and it still won't work... you might have a bigger issue.

There are some Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related to the BCM (Body Control Module) on 2019 and 2020 Rams. Sometimes the software inside the main computer just gets corrupted. A dealership can "flash" (update) the software to the latest version.

Also, if you have an aftermarket alarm or a "start-stop eliminator" plugged into the OBDII port, try unplugging it. Sometimes those aftermarket gadgets interfere with the CAN bus communication and confuse the remote start system.

Troubleshooting Checklist

Before you give up, run through this list one last time. It’s like a pilot's pre-flight check:

• Doors: Open and slam all four doors.
• Hood: Open and slam the hood.
• Tailgate: Make sure it's clicked shut.
• Gas Cap: Tighten it until it clicks.
• Hazards: Ensure hazard lights are off.
• Gear: Make sure the truck is firmly in PARK.
• Dash: Look for any warning lights (Engine, TPMS, Battery).

If you do all this and it works, you know it was just a loose sensor somewhere. If not, it's probably time to look at that hood latch sensor or the battery voltage again.

Don't Let the Cold Win

It's incredibly annoying when technology fails, especially when it's freezing outside and you paid good money for a truck with these features. But 9 times out of 10, the truck is actually doing exactly what it was programmed to do-protecting itself from a perceived threat.

Start with the cheap fixes. Wiggle that hood switch, charge the battery, and scan for codes. You got this.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2020 Ram remote start turn on the heated seats?

Yes, usually! If it is cold enough outside (usually below 40 degrees F), the truck should automatically turn on the heated steering wheel and the driver's heated seat. You have to make sure this feature is enabled in the Uconnect settings under "Auto-On Comfort."

Can I add remote start to a 2020 Ram that didn't come with it?

You sure can. There are OEM kits available from Mopar that let you add the factory remote start. You will need to buy the new key fobs and have the dealer program the truck's computer to recognize them. There are also aftermarket plug-and-play kits that use your existing key fob (usually by pressing Lock-Unlock-Lock), which are often cheaper and easier to install yourself.

Why does my remote start turn off after a few seconds?

If the truck starts but then immediately dies (usually within 10 seconds), that is a classic sign of an engine fault. The computer initiated the start, detected a problem (like low oil pressure or a misfire), and immediately killed the engine to save it. You need to scan for error codes immediately.

How long will the remote start run for?

On the 2020 Ram 1500, the remote start runs for 15 minutes. You can extend it for another 15 minutes by pressing the remote start button twice again, but you can only do two consecutive cycles. After that, you have to physically start the truck to reset the timer.

Will a "Check Engine Light" always disable remote start?

Yes. Even if the light is for something minor that doesn't affect drivability, the system is hard-coded to disable remote start whenever an active DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) is present. It’s a liability thing for the manufacturer.