FIXED: hyundai remote starter not working

If your Hyundai remote starter isn't working, the very first thing you need to do is change the battery in your key fob. Even if the buttons still unlock the doors, the signal required for remote starting needs more power. If that doesn't fix it, ensure your hood is fully closed and that you don't have a Check Engine Light on. Those are the big three.

Now that we got the quick answer out of the way, lets dig into why this happens. I know how frustrating it is when its freezing outside and you just want to get into a warm car, but the thing just flashes its lights at you and does nothing. I’ve been there with my own Tucson.

Below is a full breakdown of how to troubleshoot this yourself before you go pay a dealer diagnostic fee.

1. The Key Fob Battery (The Usual Suspect)

I cannot stress this enough. 90% of the time, it is the battery. People always tell me, "But I can still unlock my doors, so the battery is fine!" That is actually not true.

Think of it like your phone. When the battery is at 1%, you might be able to send a text, but try to watch a video and it shuts down. Unlocking the doors requires a quick, weak signal. Remote starting requires a long, sustained signal to talk to the car's computer. If that coin battery is weak, it just cant do the heavy lifting.

How to fix it:

• Go to the store and buy a CR2032 battery (that's the standard for most Hyundais, including the Sonata, Elantra, Santa Fe, and Tucson).
• Pop the key fob open. Usually, you remove the physical metal key, then use that key tip to pry the plastic casing apart.
• Swap the battery. Make sure the positive side (+) is facing up.
• Snap it back together and test it near the vehicle.

2. The Hood Latch Switch (The Silent Killer)

This is a safety feature that trips up a lot of people. Every modern car, according to safety regulations, has a sensor under the hood. It’s there to make sure the engine doesn't start remotely while a mechanic has their hands inside the engine bay. That would be a disaster.

On Hyundais, there is a rubber stopper or a switch near the hood latch. Over time, two things happen:

1. The rubber stopper falls off or degrades.
2. The switch itself gets corroded from road salt and water.

If that switch circuit isn't "closed," the car thinks the hood is wide open. You will press the start button, the lights might flash once, but the engine wont crank.

How to diagnose this:

Sit inside the car and look at your dashboard. Is the "Hood Open" indicator light on? If it is, but your hood is physically closed, you found the problem. You might need to clean the sensor with some electrical contact cleaner or bend the bracket up slightly so it makes better contact with the hood.

3. You Didn't Lock the Car First

This sounds silly, but it happens to the best of us. Most Hyundai remote start systems (especially the factory ones) have a specific sequence. You usually have to press LOCK and then press REMOTE START within 3 seconds.

If the car is unlocked, the system ignores the start command. It does this to ensure no one can jump into your running car and drive off. The car must be secured before the engine fires up.

Also, walk around the car. Is the trunk fully closed? Is one of the rear doors slightly ajar? If the hazard lights flash when you try to lock it instead of the horn beeping, that usually means a door is open. Close it tight and try again.

4. The Check Engine Light is On

This is a big one that people forget. If your "Check Engine" light (CEL) is glowing on the dash, the remote start is automatically disabled. This is a computer logic programmed by Hyundai.

Why? Because the car protects itself. If the computer senses something is wrong with the engine-could be a misfire, could be a loose gas cap-it doesn't want to run the engine without a driver present to monitor it. It doesn't want to risk overheating or causing damage while you are inside finishing your coffee.

If you have a CEL, you gotta fix that issue first. Once the code is cleared, the remote start will work again.

5. You Are in "Valet Mode"

If you have a dealer-installed alarm or remote start (very common on older Hyundai models), you might have accidentally triggered Valet Mode. This is a mode used when you hand your keys to a parking attendant. It allows them to drive the car but disables the alarm and remote starter.

How do you know?

Usually, when you try to remote start in Valet Mode, the parking lights will flash a specific code (like 3 times or nothing at all), but the car stays silent.

To fix this, look for the remote start antenna (usually behind your rearview mirror or in the top corner of the windshield). There is often a small button on it. Sometimes you have to turn the key to the "ON" position and tap that button. The procedure varies by model year, so you might need to check your specific owner manual or Google the model number on the back of your key fob.

6. The Brake Switch Issue

Okay, this gets a little more technical, but stick with me. In order to start a car with a push-button start, you have to press the brake pedal, right? The remote starter mimics this signal electronically.

There is a switch under your brake pedal called the "Brake Light Switch." Hyundais have had some recalls on these in the past. If this switch is failing, the car doesn't know the "brake" is being pressed, even electronically. Consequently, it refuses to start.

A good way to test this: Have a friend stand behind the car while you press the brake pedal manually. Do the brake lights turn on? If they don't, your switch is bad, and that is why your remote start (and probably your regular start) is acting up.

7. Understanding the Light Flash Codes

Your Hyundai is trying to talk to you. When the remote start fails, watch the hazard lights or parking lights. They usually flash a specific number of times to tell you what's wrong. While this varies between factory and aftermarket systems, here is a general guide for many systems:

• 3 Flashes: One of the doors or the trunk is open.
• 4 Flashes: The hood is open (or the switch is broken, like we talked about earlier).
• 5 Flashes: The brake pedal is being pressed (or the switch is faulty).
• 6 Flashes: Check Engine Light is on.
• 7 Flashes: Transmission not in Park.

If you see these flashes, count them! It saves you so much time guessing.

8. Bluelink vs. Key Fob

If you are using the Hyundai Bluelink app on your phone and it's not working, that is a totally different beast than the key fob.

Common Bluelink Issues:

• Subscription Expired: Bluelink isn't free forever. If your trial ran out, the app wont work.
• Bad Signal: If your car is parked in a concrete parking garage, it might not have cellular service. The car needs cell service to receive the signal from the app.
• App Glitches: Sometimes the app just crashes. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the app on your phone.
• Pending Update: Sometimes the car's head unit needs a software update before Bluelink will reconnect.

If the app fails, try the key fob. If the fob works, you know the car is fine and the problem is just the internet connection or the app.

9. The "Smart Key" Sleep Mode

Some newer Smart Fobs have a battery-saving feature. If the fob hasn't moved in a while, it stops broadcasting to save juice. Usually, picking it up wakes it up. However, if the fob is damaged, it might be stuck in a sleep mode.

Also, keep in mind that many systems have a limit. For example, if you remote start the car twice in a row (to keep it warming up for 20 minutes), the system will lockout a third attempt. You have to physically go to the car, open the door, and insert the key (or push the start button) to reset the timer.

10. Transmission Safety Switch (Neutral Safety Switch)

The car will only start if it is 100% sure it is in PARK. If your gear shifter is a little loose or there is a coin stuck down in the shifter mechanism (it happens!), the car might think it's in Reverse or Neutral.

Try this: Get in the car, turn it on, shift to Neutral, then slam it firmly back into Park. Turn the car off and try the remote start again. Sometimes the sensor just needs a little jiggle to realize it's safe to start.

When to Call the Pros

Look, I love fixing things myself, but sometimes you hit a wall. If you have changed the battery, checked the hood pin, ensured there is no Check Engine Light, and it still won't work, it might be a hardware failure.

The remote start module itself (the computer brain for the starter) can go bad. If you have an aftermarket system (like a Viper or Compustar installed by a shop), check the in-line fuses under the dash. There is usually a mess of wires near your feet-look for plastic fuse holders. If a fuse is blown, replace it.

If it is a factory system, you might need the dealer to "re-flash" or reprogram the keys. Sometimes the car just forgets the code for the key. It’s annoying, but it requires a special computer that only the dealer has.

Summary

Don't panic. Most of the time, this is a $5 fix for a new battery or just slamming your hood shut a little harder. Start with the easy stuff. Change the battery. Walk around and check the doors. Look for that Check Engine Light.

Winter is tough enough without sitting in a freezing car. Hopefully, this gets you warmed up and back on the road quickly!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can a weak car battery stop the remote start from working?

Absolutely. If your actual car battery (under the hood) is weak, the remote start system will often disable itself. Starting a car takes a lot of voltage. If the system detects the voltage is too low, it aborts the start to save enough power so you can at least unlock the doors later.

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

The flashing lights are an error code. Count the flashes. Usually, it means the car received the signal (so your fob is good) but a safety sensor prevented the start. The most common reasons are an open hood, an open door, or the car not being in Park.

How do I reset my Hyundai remote start?

The easiest way to do a "hard reset" is to disconnect the negative terminal on your car battery for about 15 minutes. This clears the computer's temporary memory. Just be aware this will also reset your radio presets and clock. Reconnect it and try again.

Does Hyundai remote start work if I have a spare key inside the car?

No. This is a theft prevention feature. If the car detects a smart key is already inside the cabin, it will not remote start. It thinks someone is in the car and prevents the remote system from engaging.

How long will the car run on remote start?

Most Hyundai factory systems run for 10 minutes. You can usually extend it for another 10 minutes if you send the start command again before the first timer runs out. After that, it shuts off automatically to save gas.