FIXED: chevy equinox remote start not working

If your Chevy Equinox remote start isn't working, the most likely reason is that your Check Engine Light is on, your key fob battery is dead, or a door/hood is not fully closed. The car's computer disables remote start as a safety precaution whenever it senses a problem with the engine or the security of the vehicle.

It can be super frustrating when you're trying to warm up the car in the winter or cool it down in the summer and... nothing happens. Just blinking lights and silence. I've been there with my own Chevy. Below, I’m going to walk you through exactly why this happens and how you can fix it yourself without paying a dealer diagnostic fee.

The "Check Engine Light" Rule

Here is the thing most people don't realize: The remote start system is tied directly to the vehicle's onboard diagnostics. According to the Chevy Equinox owner's manual, the remote start feature is programmed to fail if the Check Engine Light (CEL) is illuminated on your dashboard.

Why does it do this? Its actually a safety feature. The car's computer (the ECU) figures that if there is something wrong with the engine, it shouldn't be running without you sitting in the driver's seat to monitor it. It doesn't want the engine to overheat or run out of oil while you are inside finishing your coffee.

The Loose Gas Cap Trick

Believe it or not, a loose gas cap is a very common reason for the Check Engine Light to pop on. If the cap isn't clicked tight, the fuel system loses pressure, the sensor trips, the light comes on, and suddenly your remote start stops working.

The Fix: Go tighten your gas cap until it clicks. You might have to drive the car for a few trips (usually 50 to 100 miles) for the computer to reset itself and turn the light off. Once the light is off, remote start should work again.

Your Key Fob Battery Might Be Dead

If you press the lock button and then hold the start button, but the little light on the key fob doesn't flash, your battery is probably toast. Even if the battery has enough juice to unlock the doors, the remote start signal requires a bit more power and range.

Most Chevy Equinox key fobs use a CR2032 battery. You can get these at any grocery store or pharmacy for a few bucks.

How to change it:

1. Look for the small silver button on the side of the fob to release the physical emergency key.
2. Pull the key out.
3. Use the tip of that key (or a flathead screwdriver) to gently pry the two halves of the plastic fob apart. Don't force it too hard or you crack the plastic.
4. Pop out the old disc battery and put the new one in (make sure the positive side is facing the right way, usually up).
5. Snap the case back together.

You generally do not need to reprogram the remote after changing the battery. It should just work.

The Hood Latch Switch

This is a sneaky one. There is a sensor under the hood of your Equinox that tells the car if the hood is closed. This is strictly for safety. Mechanics have requested this feature for years because they don't want an engine to remotely start while their hands are near the belts and fans.

If that sensor is broken, dirty, or disconnected, the car thinks the hood is wide open. Consequently, it refuses to remote start.

How to check: Look at your dashboard driver information center. Does it say "Hood Open"? If it does, go out and slam the hood firmly. If the message stays on, the sensor latch is probably corroded or broken. You might need to buy a replacement hood latch assembly. It's not too expensive, usually around $50 to $100 depending on the year of your Equinox.

The "Two Starts" Limit

I learned this one the hard way. Chevy limits how many times you can remote start the vehicle in a row. You are allowed two remote start cycles.

Each cycle lasts about 10 or 15 minutes (depending on your settings). You can extend the first start by doing the remote start sequence again, adding another 10 minutes. However, once those two cycles are done, the remote start is disabled.

To fix this, you have to physically get in the car, put your foot on the brake, and start the engine with the button or key. This resets the counter.

Other Common Reasons It Won't Start

If it's not the engine light and not the battery, check these things. The computer runs a checklist before it fires the ignition, and if any of these are "True," it aborts the start:

• Hazard Lights: Are your hazard flashers on? The system won't start if they are.
• Key Inside: Is a spare key left inside the vehicle? The car is smart enough to know the key is inside and won't remote start to prevent lockout or theft issues.
• Not in Park: The gear shifter must be firmly in 'PARK'. If the linkage is a little loose and it's not registering as being in Park, it wont start.
• Coolant Temperature: If the engine is already too hot (overheating), the system prevents it from starting to save the engine.
• Oil Pressure: Low oil pressure will also stop the start sequence.
• Liftgate/Doors: Just like the hood, if the back liftgate or any passenger door is slightly ajar, the system locks you out of remote starting.

Valet Mode

Some newer Equinox models have a setting in the infotainment screen called "Valet Mode." This locks down certain features of the car so a valet attendant can't mess with your settings or drive joyfully. Sometimes, this mode disables the remote start.

Go into your Settings menu on the dashboard screen, look for Vehicle Settings, and ensure Valet Mode is turned off.

Troubleshooting Checklist: Do This Now

If you are standing in your driveway right now and want to figure this out, follow these steps in order. This is basically what a mechanic would do first anyway.

Step 1: Check the Dash

Get in the car and start it manually. Look at the instrument cluster. is the yellow engine icon (Check Engine Light) lit up? If yes, that is your problem. You need to scan the car to find out why. AutoZone or O'Reilly Auto Parts will scan it for free. Once you fix that engine issue and clear the code, remote start will return.

Step 2: Check the Settings

On your dashboard screen (the radio/touchscreen), go to Settings > Vehicle > Remote Lock, Unlock, Start. Make sure the "Remote Start" option is actually toggled to ON. Sometimes if the battery died recently or the car had a software update, this setting reverts to OFF.

Step 3: Test the Fob

Do you have a second key fob? Try that one. If the second one works but the main one doesn't, you know the problem is just the remote (battery or buttons) and not the car itself.

Aftermarket vs. Factory Starters

Everything I wrote above applies to the factory remote start (the one that came with the Chevy from the dealership). If you have an aftermarket starter (like Viper or Compustar), the rules are different.

Aftermarket systems usually have a "Valet Switch" hidden somewhere under the steering wheel or near the pedals. If you accidentally kicked it, you might have put the system in service mode, which disables it. Also, aftermarket systems often lose programming if the car battery dies completely. You might need to look up the manual for your specific alarm brand to reset it.

When to Call a Professional

If you have no check engine light, new batteries in the fob, all doors are closed, and it still won't work, you might have a deeper electrical issue.

There is a module called the RCDLR (Remote Control Door Lock Receiver). This is the antenna and brain that listens for your key fob signal. On some older Equinox models (especially around 2010-2015), these receivers were known to act up or lose communication with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Interestingly, the TPMS and the Remote Start often share the same receiver.

If your tire pressure light is blinking and your remote start isn't working, the RCDLR is likely the bad guy here. You'll need a dealer or a savvy mechanic to replace and reprogram that module.

Summary

Look, 9 times out of 10, it's the Check Engine Light. I know it's annoying because sometimes the light is on for something stupid like an oxygen sensor or a gas cap, and you feel like the car is punishing you by freezing you out in the winter.

But Chevy designed it this way to protect your engine. Start with the dash lights, change the fob battery, and check your hood latch. That covers the vast majority of cases.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my remote start myself?

You can't "reset" the software without a tool, but you can reset the "Two Start Limit" by simply getting in the car, turning the ignition on, and turning it back off. This clears the counter and lets you remote start again.

Why do my lights flash but the car won't start?

If the lights flash (usually just once) but the engine doesn't crank, the car received the signal but rejected the request. This confirms your key fob is working, but the car is refusing to start because of a safety check-likely the Check Engine Light, an open hood, or the hazard lights are on.

Does cold weather stop remote start from working?

Actually, extreme cold can affect the battery in your key fob, making the signal weaker. It can also make your car battery a bit sluggish. However, the system is designed specifically for cold weather, so the cold itself shouldn't disable the feature unless your car battery is too weak to turn the engine over.

How long will the Equinox run on remote start?

By default, it runs for 10 minutes. You can perform a "remote start extension" by repeating the button sequence (Lock + Hold Start) while it is running, which adds another 10 minutes to the timer. After 20 minutes total, it will shut off.

Will remote start turn on my heated seats?

Yes, on most newer Equinox models (LT and Premier trims), if you have "Remote Start Auto Heat Seats" enabled in the vehicle settings, they will turn on automatically when the outside temperature is below a certain point. They usually turn on to the high setting but the indicator lights on the buttons might not light up until you actually turn the car on with the key.