My dealership gave me a free remote start install, but it doesn't work like it should. When starting, it should beep once and then beep 3 times once the engine has started. However it only beeps once the second time. Also when stopping, it should beep once and then be followed by 2 beeps when the engine is stopped. It doesn't do the 2 beeps at all until I press the button a second time and it double beeps right away.

This is the model that was installed:

Autostart

So the dealership changed everything and also reprogrammed the unit again and it still behaves the same way. Their guy even called for tech support from the company and they said they never heard of that happening before. I'm somewhat concerned about a remote start unit being in my truck that either has a compatibility issue or it just isn't very good quality. I'm also disappointed that they give me this, they know it doesn't work properly and I'm just supposed to accept it as is. I wasted a good part of my day today waiting for this to be fixed too.

Maybe some people with auto start know how might have some advice if I should have this thing removed from my truck.. It's a 2012 TE.

Rob

You will probably get a lot more feedback posting that specific of an alarm question here:

Car Security and Convenience Forum

The guys there are pretty knowledgeable with alarms.

Any chance you can just argue your way to a factory remote start? It's not the greatest, but its surely compatible. Good luck.

Have the dealership or installer ensure the springed device secured under your hood is making good contact and communicating with the system. Had this simple issue with mine.

Well there's more issues ever since they installed the remote start. None of the buttons on the lower left dash work now. Even though I didn't pay for this install, it is completely unacceptable work and product provided. I'm not even sure my VSC is working because I tried to get it to kick in today in the snow and it wouldn't beep or anything.

- Wiper defroster doesn't work
- Power inverter doesn't work
- Side curtain airbag disable probably doesn't work
- VSC alarm doesn't work



Rob

Before I take my truck in thursday for repair, does anyone know the following:

Are the lower left dash buttons on a single connector?
Where is the VSC alarm located?
Is there a PDF manual?

Rob

Hope you don't mind some advice:

Don't mess with it - period.
Get the dealer to remove it, and put your truck back to stock.
You should be given a loaner during this repair.
Test everything thoroughly before you accept it back and turn in the loaner.

BTW, nothing's free - ever. Somewhere, somehow, you paid for this, they just made you think you didn't.

I'd be documenting all this - I suspect your troubles will not be corrected easily..... sounds effed up.

Thanks for the feedback.

I took the truck to the dealership today and will follow up when I get it back. The service writer said they would NOT be removing the remote start and claimed it's not an install problem, but a product issue. I told him they have already checked it all out and don't know what's wrong. Then he proceeds to tell me these things aren't foolproof, they work %95 at best. I replied mine works properly maybe %5 of the time and that's when I'm standing beside the truck. I think it's pretty simple that if it doesn't work properly it's either replaced with a similar product or removed.

We will see what happens...

Rob

Sorry to hear about this. When it comes to remote starters/alarms, one of the most important things to consider is the installer (how long have they been in the business, history of installs, etc...). I decided to purchase a remote start/alarm system with some Christmas money and chose not to use the dealership, as Toyota's remote start is very basic for the high price they want. After some research, I decided to buy from a reputable independent reseller and went with the Code Alarm Model CA6551 SST Two Way Confirming System. It can do almost anything + it has long range capability, up to a mile. It will be nice to sit in my deer blind and start my truck from a good distance away. So far it has worked flawlessly.

I would have your dealer remove the "freebie" and give you some sort of credit. Then find an independent reseller with a great service history. Stay away from the big box stores. They tend to have a high turnover of installers...very young and inexperienced. Hope all is made right for you.

Did YOU buy this, and the dealer only INSTALLED it, or ...

did you buy it from the dealer, and they installed it free, or ...

did the dealer provide the RS AND install it free?

I ask because it seems odd they'd refuse to remove it.

It was a 'freebie' install from the dealership when I bought the truck.

Anyhow it's still not working correctly and appears to be some kind of compatibility issue. The service department just basically washed their hands of it and said I need to follow up with the sales guys if I want something further worked out. They said they aren't removing it in the meantime.

Anyhow they reconnected the lower left dash switches so those work now. The VSC alarm still doesn't work and the service guy said he 'forgot' to mention it to the shop foreman who test drove the truck.

What a hassle this has been so far, not worth it.

Rob

If the dealership installed this item and it does not work and is in fact causing other components in your vehicle to malfunction they are 100% at fault. They should be chomping at the bit to remove the system. The fact that they are not chomping at the bit to remove the system tells me something is amiss with the people you are interacting with at the moment. There is a chance that an inexperienced installer at the dealership has seriously messed up your vehicle to the extent where your warranty could be compromised.

If you're already spoken to the Service Manager and they refuse to remove the system your next move is to schedule a meeting with the General Manager.

Put on your serious face and have the meeting with the General Manager. Be polite, but firm and demand that the system is removed.

My advice is to never add remote start to a vehicle if it didn't come from the factory with it already installed. If you saw what they had to do to wire up some of those systems you'd cringe.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

The buttons on the lower left dash are working now (connector I guess). The VSC alarm is still not though. The service guy seemed a bit surprised when I said I wanted it working. The main thing that concerns me is WHY is it not working? I don't think there's any way to disable it through the programming options and by default it should be on.

I think I'm just going to go to the dealership and talk to the manager, explain what's going on. I don't think this has been handled well at all by the service department.

Update: I spoke with the dealership manager and expressed my concerns. He wanted to know who said they wouldn't remove it, but I couldn't gjve him a name. He said lots of these units have been installed in 4Runners and there's been no issues until my install. So he's going to get to the bottom of it and promised ONE more service visit and everything would be worked out.

Rob