We drive a 2007 GMC Acadia that has a remote start. The remote start works perfectly 100% of the time, even if the engine has been cold for a long while. Once I enter the vehicle, all I have to do is put the key in the ignition and turn it slightly so I can put it in gear, there’s no noticeable change other than the radio turning on.
However, when I try to cold start the engine by normal means, that is, no remote start, just inserting the key in the ignition and turning it, the engine has trouble turning over. If the vehicle has recently been driven, there’s no issue with the engine turning over, so this only happens during a regular cold engine start.
I would think if the vehicle had trouble turning over starting it normally, it would also do the same via remote, but that’s not the case. And of course, I’ve taken it to my mechanic but they can’t replicate the issue, probably because they aren’t allowing the engine to cool long enough.
Spark plugs are relatively new, FWIW.
Thoughts?
The mechanical parts of your ignition are giving out, I bet. But I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, so who knows.
Don't know how that particular car is set up, but I agree with Jason. It sounds like the ignition switch where the key goes is not making a good connection. The remote probably uses a different switch to start it.
Time for a new car!!!
So here is a thought, you probably have an pending battery failure
When the car is warm it has been recently driven and hence batter is fully charged
When the car hasn’t been driven and you open the door the dome light comes on and probably radio maybe headlights possible other accessories even the AC draws 30 amps so perhaps the remote start disables all of those functions that create extra draw on the battery.
The more I think about it the more I think this is it
I think you're on to something, John, thanks so much for taking the time to respond. It never occurred to me that the remote start and the regular start was using different amounts of power, but it makes perfect sense now. The thing is, we put in a new battery maybe eight months ago and then ended up having to replace that one about four months later.
I am not a scientist, but Click and Clack would recommend you leave it with the mechanic over night so they can try to re-duplicate the problem when it is cold.
And don't drive like my brother!
I've got an '09 Traverse that had all sorts of electrical gremlins until the dealership replaced a fuse box. The interior lights wouldn't always come on when you opened the door, the radio didn't always turn off, and most entertainingly, instead of unlocking the doors, pressing the unlock button on the remote turned on the rear window wiper.
Get a Toyota
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