Key Takeaways
- Check the Key Fob Battery: It’s the number one reason your remote start fails. A simple CR2032 battery swap usually fixes it.
- Look for the Check Engine Light: If your dashboard shows a "Check Engine" light, the car automatically disables remote start for safety.
- Close the Hood: A faulty hood latch sensor or an open hood will prevent the engine from cranking.
- Limit Reached: Chevy generally only allows two remote start cycles (20 minutes total) before you have to physically turn the ignition key.
- Hazard Lights: If your hazard flashers are on, remote start won't work.
The Short Answer
If your Chevy remote start isn't working the first thing you need to do is check if your Check Engine Light is on or if your key fob battery is dead. Those two issues account for probably 90% of the problems I see. If the car computer senses any engine trouble, it disables the remote start feature to save the engine from damage. If your dashboard is clear, swap the battery in your remote (it usually takes a CR2032). If neither of those works read on because there are a few weird sensors that might be tripping you up.
Let’s Troubleshoot: Why Your Chevy Won't Start Remotely
So, it’s freezing outside or maybe it's blazing hot, and you just want to get the climate control going before you hop in. You press the lock button, hold the start button, and... nothing. Maybe the lights flash, maybe they don't. It is frustrating.
I’ve been messing around with Chevys for years and the remote start system is actually pretty smart. It’s designed to be overly cautious. It’s not just "broken," it’s usually protecting the car or you. Here is a breakdown of exactly what to look for, starting with the easy stuff.
1. The Key Fob Battery (The Usual Suspect)
Start here because it's the cheapest fix. Even if your fob can still unlock the doors, the signal strength required for remote start is often higher than what’s needed just to pop the lock. If the battery is getting weak, it might not send a strong enough signal to trigger the ignition sequence.
Most Chevy remotes from the last 10 years or so use a CR2032 battery. You can grab these at any pharmacy or grocery store. Pop the fob open with a small flathead screwdriver or even a dull butter knife, swap it out, and try again. If you have a spare key, try that one. If the spare works but your main key doesn't, you know it's a battery or a broken button.
2. The Check Engine Light (CEL)
This is the big one that catches people off guard. According to the Chevy owner's manual and general GM tech info, the remote start system is completely disabled if the Check Engine Light is illuminated.
Why? Well, think about it. If your engine has a problem-like low oil pressure or a misfire-the car doesn't want to run without a driver present to notice the weird noises or smells. It’s a safety feature.
Even a minor issue, like a loose gas cap, can trigger an emissions code (EVAP system) and turn on that light. If that light is on, remote start is off. You’ll need to get an OBD2 scanner (they are cheap online) to read the code and clear it, or fix the problem, to get your remote start back.
3. The Hood Latch Sensor
This is a safety feature for mechanics. There is a sensor under the hood of your car that tells the computer if the hood is open or closed. If the car thinks the hood is open, it will absolutely not remote start.
Imagine if a mechanic was working on your engine, hand deep in the belts, and you accidentally sat on your key fob inside the house and started the engine. That would be a disaster. So, if that sensor is broken, dirty, or just unplugged, the car thinks the hood is up.
How to check: Go to the front of the car and make sure the hood is slammed shut. If it is, look at your dashboard. Does it say "Hood Open"? If it does, your sensor is likely bad or the latch needs some WD-40. This happens a lot in older Silverados and Equinoxes.
4. You’ve Hit the "Two Start" Limit
Chevy has a rule about how many times you can remote start the vehicle. Generally, you can run two cycles.
- Cycle 1: You start it, it runs for 10 minutes (or 15 on some models).
- Cycle 2: You can extend it for another 10 minutes.
Once you have done two remote starts, the system locks you out. It won't let you remote start a third time. This is to prevent carbon monoxide buildup if someone accidentally starts the car in a garage attached to a house.
To reset this, you just have to go out to the car, insert the actual key (or push the start button with the fob inside), and turn the ignition to "On" and then back off. That resets the counter.
5. Hazard Lights are On
This sounds silly but check it. If you accidentally bumped your hazard light button, or if you left them on from parking earlier, the remote start is disabled. The computer logic is basically saying "The car is in distress mode, do not start engine remotely." Turn off the flashers and try again.
6. The Key is Inside the Car
Modern Chevys with push-button start are smart enough to know where the key is. If you left a spare key in the glove box, the center console, or dropped it between the seats, the car might disable remote start. It does this to prevent theft-it doesn't want the engine running while an unlocked key is sitting right there inside the cabin.
7. Coolant and Oil Pressure
Similar to the Check Engine Light, the car monitors its vitals. If the coolant temperature is way too high (from your last drive) or if the oil pressure sensor is reading weirdly, the system aborts the start. It’s trying to save your engine from blowing up.
Advanced Troubleshooting (When the Basics Don't Work)
If you have checked all the stuff above-new battery, no warning lights, hood is shut-and it still won't work, we have to look deeper.
Valet Mode
Some newer vehicles and aftermarket alarm systems have a "Valet Mode." This mode disables the alarm and remote start so that a parking valet can't joyride your car or mess with your settings. Check your manual or the settings menu on your infotainment screen to see if Valet Mode is toggled on.
Aftermarket Remote Starters
Did you buy your Chevy used? It might have an aftermarket remote start installed (like Viper or Compustar) rather than the factory GM one. These systems have their own fuses and control modules.
If you have an extra little fob on your keychain that doesn't look like the factory Chevy key, you’re dealing with an aftermarket system. These often have a toggle switch under the dash near the driver's knees. If you kicked that switch by accident, you might have turned the system off. Crawl under there and look for a small black toggle switch.
The Body Control Module (BCM)
Okay, now we are getting technical. The BCM is the computer brain that controls things like door locks, windows, and remote start. Sometimes, these computers just get confused. It’s like when your laptop freezes and needs a reboot.
You can try a "hard reset" on your car. Disconnect the negative (black) battery terminal under the hood for about 15 minutes. This clears the capacitors in the computer modules. Hook it back up and see if that clears the glitch. Note: You might lose your radio presets doing this.
Is Remote Start Standard on All Chevys?
This is a question I get a lot. "I bought a 2018 Malibu, why doesn't my remote start work?"
Well, are you sure you have it? Just because you have a key fob doesn't mean you have the remote start hardware installed. Usually, the key fob will have a specific button (an arrow circle) if it's equipped.
However, some people buy replacement keys online that have the button, even if the car doesn't have the feature. If you aren't the original owner, check your glove box for the "RPO Codes" sticker. This is a list of codes that tells you what features the car was built with. Look for code BTV. If you see BTV on that sticker, your car came with factory remote start.
How to Fix It: A Step-by-Step Checklist
If I was standing in your driveway helping you out, this is exactly the order I would do things in:
- Visual Inspection: Walk around the car. Are the hazard lights on? Is the hood fully latched? Are any doors ajar?
- Dashboard Check: Hop in, start the car normally with the key. Look for the yellow Check Engine Light. If it's on, go to an auto parts store (like AutoZone) and ask them to scan the code for free. Fix that issue first.
- Battery Swap: Just change the fob battery. It costs $5 and saves a headache.
- The Spare Key Test: Try the second key. If that works, your main key is broken.
- The Reset: Turn the car on, drive it around the block, turn it off, lock it. Wait 30 seconds. Try to remote start again. This resets the "two start" counter.
When to Call the Dealership
Look, I am all for DIY fixes, but sometimes you need the proprietary GM computer tools. You should head to the dealer or a pro mechanic if:
- Your Check Engine Light is on but you can't figure out why.
- You suspect the hood latch sensor is broken (it involves wiring).
- The dashboard says "Remote Start Disabled" (this is a specific message on newer trucks like the Silverado).
- You replaced the fob battery and the car battery, and it still does nothing.
Sometimes, the key fob itself loses its programming and needs to be "re-paired" to the car. You usually need a locksmith or the dealer to do that for modern fobs.
Conclusion
9 times out of 10, when a buddy calls me saying "my remote start is busted," it turns out they have a check engine light on for an evap leak, or their key fob battery is 5 years old. It’s rarely a catastrophic failure of the car.
Chevy designed these systems to be safe. They err on the side of caution. If the car senses anything weird, it refuses to start remotely because it assumes you aren't there to supervise it. Run through the checklist, swap that battery, and you'll probably be back to a warm car in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my lights flash but the car won't start?
If you press the remote start sequence and the parking lights flash once or twice but the engine doesn't crank, the car is receiving the signal but rejecting the request. This usually confirms it is a safety lockout-like a Check Engine Light, an open hood, or the "two start" limit has been reached. It proves your key fob battery is fine, but the car is refusing to start.
Does the Check Engine Light disable remote start on all Chevys?
Yes, pretty much all GM vehicles (Chevy, GMC, Cadillac, Buick) are programmed to disable remote start if the Check Engine Light is active. It is a powertrain protection strategy. You must clear the code to restore functionality.
Can I reset the remote start by disconnecting the car battery?
Sometimes. Disconnecting the negative battery terminal for 10-15 minutes can reset the Body Control Module (BCM) and clear temporary glitches. However, if the underlying problem (like a bad sensor) is still there, the problem will come right back.
How do I know if my Chevy has remote start capability?
Check your key fob for a button with a circular arrow. If the button is there, you likely have it. To be 100% sure, check the glove box sticker for the RPO code BTV. If BTV is listed, the car left the factory with remote start installed.
Why does my remote start only work sometimes?
Intermittent issues are usually signal interference or a weak fob battery. If you are standing near power lines, or if the fob battery is on the verge of dying, it might work one day and fail the next. Cold weather also drains fob batteries faster, which is ironic since that's when you need remote start the most.