FIXED: chevy silverado remote start not working

The Short Answer: Why It Isn't Working

If you are standing in your driveway pressing the button and nothing happens, check your dashboard first. If your Check Engine Light (CEL) is on, the remote start will not work. Period. Chevy programs the Silverado to disable remote start whenever the computer detects an engine code to prevent damaging the engine or overheating while you aren't looking at the gauges.

If there are no warning lights on the dash, the next most likely culprit is your key fob battery. Even if it still unlocks the doors, it might not have enough juice to send the continuous signal needed for the start sequence. Swap out the CR2032 battery and try again.

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The "Check Engine Light" Feature

I know it sounds annoying, but this is actually a safety feature. According to the owner's manual (and pretty much every mechanic I know), the vehicle's computer, called the ECU, disables remote functions when it sees a trouble code.

Think about it like this. If your truck has low oil pressure or is overheating, you would normally see that on the dash and shut the truck off immediately. But if you remote start it from your kitchen while you finish your coffee, you aren't there to see the warning. The engine could blow up in your driveway.

So, get yourself an OBDII scanner. You can buy them cheap online or go to an auto parts store where they will scan it for free. If you clear the code, the remote start should work again immediately. However, remember that clearing the code doesn't fix the problem underneath so it might come back.

The Key Fob: It’s Usually the Battery

This is the most common hardware issue. Key fobs take a beating. We drop them, sit on them, and toss them on the counter. Inside that plastic shell is a small circuit board and a battery.

Usually, a Chevy key fob uses a CR2032 battery. You can get these at the grocery store for a few bucks. Here is the thing though-sometimes the battery is strong enough to unlock the doors (which is a quick pulse) but too weak to handle the remote start sequence.

How to test it:

If you have a second spare key, try using that one. If the truck starts with the spare, you know your main key is the issue. If neither key works, the problem is likely with the truck itself, not the fobs.

Also, look at the contacts inside the remote. Sometimes the little metal prongs that touch the battery get bent flat. If you open it up, carefully pry them up a little bit so they make better contact with the battery.

The Hood Latch Sensor

This one drives people crazy because it doesn't always trigger a warning light. There is a safety switch under the hood of your Silverado. Its job is to tell the computer if the hood is open.

Why? Because if a mechanic is working on the engine, you don't want someone inside the house accidentally remote starting the truck and chopping off the mechanics fingers with the fan belt. It’s a serious safety interlock.

Over time, that latch gets full of grease, dirt, and road grime. The sensor might get stuck in the "Open" position. If the truck thinks the hood is up, it refuses to fire the engine. You can usually try to clean the latch mechanism with some brake cleaner or WD-40 to see if that frees it up. If your Driver Information Center (the screen on the dash) says "Hood Open" but the hood is clearly closed, you found your problem.

The "Two Start" Limit

I have had friends call me in a panic thinking their truck is broken, when actually, its just doing what it was told. Chevy limits you to two remote starts per drive cycle.

Here is how it works:

• Start 1: Runs for 10 minutes.
• Extension: You can extend it for another 10 minutes.
• Total: Once you hit 20 minutes of idling, or two start attempts, the system locks out.

To reset this, you have to go out to the truck, put the key in the ignition (or press the start button with the fob inside), and turn the truck on to the "Run" position. This resets the counter. This is done to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning if someone accidentally starts the car inside a closed garage.

Settings Menu: Did You Turn It Off?

Sometimes, if your battery died recently or you had a software update at the dealership, your settings might have reverted to default. It is possible remote start is just toggled "Off".

Go to your infotainment screen and look for:

1. Settings
2. Vehicle
3. Remote Lock, Unlock, Start

Make sure the "Remote Start" option is checked or toggled to On. While you are there, check the "Remote Window Operation" too, just in case you want to roll windows down in the summer.

Hazard Lights and Doors

The system is finicky about the state of the vehicle. There is a mental checklist the computer goes through before it allows ignition:

• Are the Hazard lights on? If yes, it wont start.
• Are the doors locked? The truck must be locked. Usually, you press Lock, then hold Start. If the truck isn't locked, it ignores the start command.
• Is the key inside? If you left a spare fob in the cup holder, the truck knows. It won't remote start if it detects a key inside the cabin to prevent theft.
• Is it in Park? If the gear selector isn't fully in Park, it wont crank.

Coolant and Oil Pressure Sensors

We talked about the Check Engine Light earlier, but sometimes the sensors prevent a start even without a light. The Silverado monitors oil pressure and coolant temperature.

If the sensors are reading that the engine is already too hot (maybe a faulty sensor) or that there is zero oil pressure, the startup sequence aborts immediately. This is harder to diagnose without a pro scanner, but if you notice your gauges acting weird when you are driving, that could be related.

The OnStar / MyChevrolet App Factor

If you use the mobile app to start your truck and it's failing there, but the key fob works, the issue is likely network related. Your truck needs a cellular signal to receive the command from the app. If you are parked in a concrete parking garage or way out in the sticks, the truck might not hear the signal.

Conversely, if the App works but the Key Fob doesn't, you know 100% that the truck's engine and computer are fine, and your key fob is the broken part. Using the app is a great way to isolate the problem.

Aftermarket Remote Starters

Everything I wrote above applies to the factory system that came with your Chevy. But if you have a Viper, Compustar, or some other aftermarket brand installed, the rules change.

These systems usually have a "Valet Mode". This is a switch (sometimes hidden under the dash) that disables remote start so a valet driver doesn't accidentally trigger it. If you kicked a switch under your steering column recently, check that.

Also, aftermarket systems use a "bypass module" to trick the truck into thinking the key is in the ignition. These modules can lose their programming if the truck battery dies. You might need to look up the reprogramming guide for your specific alarm brand.

Resetting the System (The "Hard Reset")

If you have checked the battery, the hood, the engine light, and the settings, and it still wont work, you can try a global reset. Computers get glitchy. Your truck is basically a big computer on wheels.

How to do a hard reset:

1. Pop the hood.
2. Using a 10mm wrench (if you can find it, 10mm sockets always disappear), disconnect the Negative (Black) battery terminal.
3. Leave it disconnected for about 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Reconnect it and tighten it down.
5. Start the truck manually with the key first.
6. Turn it off, lock the doors, and try the remote start.

This clears out temporary memory in the control modules and can fix "stuck" logic states.

When to Call the Pros

Look, I love fixing things myself, but sometimes you have to throw in the towel. If you have done the reset, changed the fob battery, and verified there are no engine codes, you might have a bad receiver module. This is the part inside the truck that listens for the radio signal from your key.

Replacing the Receiver Module usually requires reprogramming by a dealer or a locksmith with high-end tools. It's not really a driveway job unless you have a GM MDI tool lying around.

Common Silverado Model Quirks

Just a quick note on specific years. If you drive a 2014-2018 Silverado, the door lock actuators are notorious for failing. If the truck tries to lock the doors before starting but one door lock is lazy or broken, the system thinks the truck is unlocked and cancels the start. Watch your door lock knobs when you press the button-do they all snap down fast? If one is sluggish, that's your problem.

For the newer 2019+ models, software updates over the air (OTA) have been known to temporarily disable features until the update is fully complete. If your screen says "Update Pending," let it finish.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

If the lights flash, it means the truck received the signal. It refused the request because a safety parameter wasn't met. This usually points to the Hood Latch sensor, a Check Engine Light, or a door that isn't fully closed.

Can I add remote start to my Silverado if it didn't come with it?

Yes! Most Silverados are actually "remote start ready." You often just need to buy the new key fobs and have the dealership flash the computer to turn the feature on. It's cleaner than buying an aftermarket alarm.

Does a low truck battery affect remote start?

Absolutely. Remote starting takes a lot of amperage because the truck has to power up all the computers and crank the cold engine. If the truck's main battery is getting old, the system might sense the voltage drop and abort the start to ensure you have enough power to start it manually later.

Will remote start turn on my heater or AC?

Generally, yes. It looks at the outside temperature. If it's cold, it should turn on the heat, defrost, and heated seats (if enabled in settings). If it's hot, it cranks the AC. However, the fan speed might stay low until you actually get in and turn the key.

How far away does the remote work?

The standard Chevy remote is good for about 200-300 feet depending on interference. If you hold the remote under your chin (I know, it sounds crazy, but science backs this up), your skull acts as an amplifier and can extend the range a bit.