A Bizarre Ignition Problem (Car starts by remote but not with key??)

[szekany]

Hi all,

So, I've got a 1998 4Runner Limited. It's worked just fine since I bought it about 4 years ago -- at least until this morning. I got in to drive to work today, turned the key and then the lights on the dashboard came on, the radio and blower worked fine, but the engine didn't start. I tried a few more times and realized I could hear a distinctive single click when I turned the ignition, but I couldn't get the engine to turn over at all.

Now, here's the bizarre part: my car has a remote starter. (It came when I bought the car used, so I have no idea exactly what model/make it is, and it just uses a generic CodeAlarm keyfob.) So, I was about to give up, when I figured I would try the remote start, having nothing to lose. So I pushed the button, and the car started right up. I was then able to put in the key and drive away without any further hassle...

An additional piece of information that might be helpful: the car does seem to start with the key when the engine is still warm (within about 10 - 20 minutes).

I still can't start the car with the key when the engine is cold, but using the remote start works fine. Anybody have any idea why this would be the case?

 

[move120]

Casper is f*&@ing with ure car...


never heard of such a thing

 

[RoyB]

that is odd. i was gonna say maybe the chip in the key went bad, but then it starts on warm starts. do you have 2 keys? maybe try the other one.

on second thought, do 98s even have coded keys or was that later?

 

[JustAnotherT4R]

i dont think my 2002 model has a chip. you might have a bad contact in the ignition or a worn out key.

 

[alaskanboi]

My 2000 uses a chip in the key. That could be one thing to check. But it is weird that you hear the click.... got me with this one

 

[szekany]

Thanks for the help, everyone. My keys do not have chips in them (they are entirely metal).

I'm starting to wonder whether the remote start could be interfering with the engine start? In other words, if something is making the ignition behave as though the remote start has already started even though it hasn't. In which case, turning the key again wouldn't start the engine.

Anyway, after having to use my remote starter to get to and home from work on Friday, the problem disappeared as of Saturday morning. It actually pisses me off a little that it's gone, since now I'm going to worry if and when it'll come back...

 

[gapboi210]

I don't thing anyone is going to be able to troubleshoot this since you have an aftermarket system installed. Probably going to have to take it to an alarm place and see if they can either troubleshoot it or remove the system and see if the problem persists.

 

[nserpa9248]

more than likley, the relay bank controlling your ignition / starter / accesory wires etc mayb be having problems or a loose connection.

If your willing to take off the underdash panel find the module and take a picture of the brain (it will be easy to find, it will be zip-tied (probably), and have cheap electrical tape / butt-connectors on it) i can probably tell you who can look at it.

they will most likley charge you, since your not the original owner.

actually, now that i think of it, can you just send a pic of your remote first?

 

[ruinit3]

i actually have had this problem before. i also have a remote start. i have the viper 791xv installed. it has happened about 3 times in 2.5 years. it only happened in the morning before I went to work and by the time i was ready to leave my key worked again. don't really know what the problem is but i can deal with it happening once every 9 months.

 

[JD914]

Sorry for pulling up such an old thread, but I'm having this exact same problem on my 04 Limited, with Astrostart. I've lived with it, until my truck was broken into, and my remote went missing.
Did anybody find a fix to this?

 

[notrayray]

How about testing the voltage you are getting at the starter connection (small one) both with the key then with the key fob.