What Is Going On With My Urban Runner?

[RedKnuckles]

Today is two weeks since bringing home a preowned 08 Urban Runner. Original sticker was $39k. I bought it 6 months after the original sale, with 1,243 miles on the clock, for $25.3k. I have yet to find a single flaw of any type, EXCEPT it seems to have a mind of it's own. There must be a reasonable sequence to the use of the remote control that I am unaware of. Here's what is taking place when least expected: Pull in a parking lot, shut off engine, get out, hit the door lock on the remote at least twice to be sure the doors are locked. All of a sudden, the starter motor begins turning over the engine in an effort to start. It will turn over for a few seconds and then stop for a couple seconds. Turn over a few seconds and then stop for a couple seconds. It will continue doing this until I open the door, get in, and insert the key in the ignition to turn it to the run position. Once the key is placed in the ignition as the engine is attempting to start on it's own, it immediately starts. In order to shut the engine off, I then have to actually put the shifter in reverse and then return to park to get the engine to shut off. Otherwise, it will remain idling when I remove the key.

This has happened twice so far by evidently hitting the door lock button on the remote one too many times after exiting the vehicle. The very first time it started on it's own, I was feeling my way through the process of lowering and raising the rear window with the key inserted in the lift gate. With the key in the rear lift gate, the engine turned over a few seconds and stopped for a couple seconds. The third cycle of the starter motor turning the engine, the engine actually started and was running with me still standing at the rear door.

This is very odd to me. I am thinking it may have some type remote starter system installed. If so, I obviously have not figured out exactly how it works.

Any ideas?

 

[boostedprozac]

interesting. I know someone was wanting to know how to start they're 4runner with the factory deterrent remote. I'm interested to know....

 

[Uneek]

I am thinking it may have some type remote starter system installed. If so, I obviously have not figured out exactly how it works.

Any ideas?

I think you're right and it's more likely than not you have a remote starter. I recall a few members who have aftermarket remote starters that interface with the OEM key fob say you press lock button twice or three times and it starts.

Sounds like what's causing your 4Runner to fail to start is probably hidden key for immobilizer bypass has been removed, thus the engine turns over but won't stay running. If you have a regular Toyota key blank (hardware store) key cut for your 4Runner as a spare, the starter does crank, but the engine won't run.

Is the dealer you bought it from the same as the selling/certifying dealer? If so, you could try and ask them to see if they installed any remote starter system to the 4Runner. My friend's 4Runner has an after market alarm system added to his; it uses the factory key fobs, but it doesn't arm and disarm the same way as my factory one.