This time of the year rarely a week goes by that we don’t get a call from someone stating that their remote car starter stopped working.  Nearly every call is the result of one of the situations below and is easily solved.  While most of the  situations below apply to any good remote car starter, we will be specifically discussing the causes and solutions for the Compustar brand.
Remote Starter is in Valet Mode
The back of the Compustar remote control shows you how to get your vehicle out of valet mode. Click the photo for a larger image.
Symptoms: Lock and unlock buttons work as normal. Â Pressing start does not produce any response from the vehicle.
Causes: Â Accidentally pressed the combination of buttons to put car into valet mode, usually when in purse or pocket. Â Also, many remote car starters will revert to valet mode when the vehicle is disconnected for service.
Any good remote car starter should have some form of valet mode.  This is a condition that the remote car starter can be put into to prevent the vehicle from starting remotely while allowing keyless entry and certain other functions to work.  You would do this when having service done to the vehicle.  Most of our remote starters are put into valet mode by  pressing a combination of 2 buttons on the remote control for 1/2 second.  Look on the back of your remote for the proper buttons to press to enter and exit valet mode (Usually Lock+Trunk).
When you press these buttons, the parking lights should flash 2 times. Â Press the start button and your car should be warm and toasty!
Please note that certain other brands will have a “kill switch” under the dash that will accomplish this also.  Many times customers will accidentally bump this switch during day to day driving, causing the remote starter to go into valet mode.  This is easily corrected in most cases by simply flipping the switch in the other direction.
Please refer to your owners manual for instructions on how to get your particular starter in and out of valet mode.
Hood Pin Has Broken or Has Failed
This is what a properly installed hood pin looks like. The location of the hoodpin can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Note that in some cases, a tilt switch is used in lieu of a hood pin.
Symptoms: Pressing start results in several flashes of the parking lights but no start. Â If equipped, lock and unlock will still function.
Cause: In most cases, the under hood pin switch has been broken or is corroded.
ANY remote starter must have a method of preventing the vehicle from starting when the hood is open. Without this, a mechanic could be seriously injured if the vehicle was remotely started while they were working on it. Â In most cases, this is accomplished by a hood pin switch or a hood tilt switch. Â Both of these devices will tell the car starter when the hood is opened. Â These devices can fail over time or be broken if a mechanic leans on it accidentally. Â Replacing the hood switch is a simple matter and can be done at most mobile electronics stores.
Remote Control Loses Programming
Symptoms: Pressing ANY button on the remote results in no response from vehicle.
Cause: It is rare, but does happen. In most cases, this is caused by a dead battery in the vehicle or having the battery disconnected when being serviced.
Remote starters usually have some type of non-volatile memory to retain things like programming features and remote control codes. Â Like any “computer” device, sometimes they will lose their memory. Â When this happens, simply call the store that installed it for you. Â In some cases, they may be able to tell you how to reprogram it over the phone. Â Other times you will need to return to the store for a technician to program it. Â In any case, this is rare with higher end remote starters.
Remote is in 2nd Car Mode
Symptoms: Pressing ANY button on the remote results in no response from vehicle.
Causes: A combination of buttons were accidentally pressed and put the remote in 2nd car mode.
Again, this is very rare, but happens from time to time.  Many remote car starter remote controls have the ability to start 2 vehicles.  If the remote is accidentally placed into 2nd car mode, it will not start or operate vehicle #1.  Simply read your owners manual or call your installer for directions on how to revert the remote back to car #1.
Summary
There are a lot of myths surrounding remote car starters. Â Most are simply untrue. Â If you get a quality remote car starter installed by a professional installer, you will minimize your odds of having problems. Â Most of the time, any situations that do come up can be solved by following the advice above.
Some final advice:  When you are choosing a remote car starter and installer, do not trust your vehicle to the lowest bidder and be sure  to get it installed where you bought it!
We hope that this helps and we welcome your feedback in the comments section below!  Please keep in mind that requests for technical support must be accompanied by the full name of person who originally purchased the starter at Mobile Edge or the original invoice number.  We do not have the resources to provide technical support for starters not installed at Mobile Edge.  Thank you for your understanding.
For detailed information on purchasing a remote car starter, please consider The Ultimate Remote Car Starter Buying Guide.  It is filled with over 25 pages of great advice to ensure that your buying experience is a great one!
52 Blakeslee Blvd. Dr. E. Lehighton, PA, 18235 USA
info@mobileedgeonline.com • 610-377-2730
Mitch:
I have a 2006 Dodge Avenger with remote start. If I let the car “sit” for maybe 1 hour etc. and try the remote start, SOMETIMES it doesnt work. I get one horn blast and then nothing.
IF I get into the car, start it, then shut it down, lock the doors and THEN try the remote start, it works EVERY TIME. Seems like SOMETHING may be shutting power down to the remote starter after the car sits for awhile.
I am pretty sure the battery is up to snuff – car starts very well when it does.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Lou
Make sure the starter has constant power and not switched power. Also check to your tach settings and crank time if applicable. Depending on the install type and product will determine which feature is best suited.
hi i have a toyota pickup 1995 i installed a one way compustar starter alarm combo when i pull the emergancy brake remove the key and exit the truck the blue light stars flashing in the truck witch is normal i try the remote starer 10min later it works fine but its only after an hour or 2 the when i try to start it that i get 3 flashes then 7 flashes from my lights on my truck and the blue LED light in the truck is still flashing as normal so i dont get why the blue LED is still flashing like its good to go but wont start. this has been an issue for about a month now. i have a compustar 1WSHR-1600.
Check your crank time. When an engine is warm it starts a little quicker and requires less crank time then when the engine is cold. It could be cranking for not quite long enough before it starts which would cause it to shit the engine is cooling after a period of time needing an extra second.
i have a 2005 chrysler 300 3.5L pressing my remote starter twice makes my vehicles lights blink7-8 times ,vehicle doesn’t do anything if i press it again does the same and doesn’t start vehicle can anyone help please
You need to determine the model starter you have and find an install or user guide for it online. In the troubleshooting section you should see a problem that corresponds with the amount of flashes. The starter is mounted under your dash and it should have a name or model on it. Check to be sure your hood pin is in working order if equipped.
I have a nissan Maxima. When I try the remote is does not work. The lights flash like they suppose to do but nothing happens. All I can say it just stopped working for some reason. What could be the problem and how can I fix it.
There is no way for me to diagnose you issue with the information provided. Your best bet is take it back to your installer and have them take a look at it.
We are stuck. We have this exact Compustar remote which came installed in our 2006 ford fusion. We have been using it for 3 years now. The remotes both have stopped. The doors will lock and unlock using the remotes, but the car tail lights or horn does not beep when we activate the door lock button. The trunk will not open using the remote, and the car will not auto start. The lights on the car do not go on or flash or blink we when press the auto start button. The blue lights on the remote do flicker when we hit door open, door lock, trunk and start. I have done the valet reset on each remote, trying it several times with no luck. The anti theft light on the dash in the car is no longer blinking. We found the box under the dashboard, with wires going up, but we cannot find a button on it to move or reset. The hood pin we cannot find. We unhooked the battery cable, and it did not resolve, and I tried resetting valet again. Still, no car lights or horn honk when we try anything. Everything was working perfectly last week. We have not had any service done on the car. There is a compustar receiver fastened inside the windshield behind the rear view window. I dont know if there is suppose to be a power light on that? Or if that might need a battery? The remote batteries should be ok, as they do flicker blue. Could the wires on the box under the dashboard, been moved, pulled out or disrupted? Could you explain better where this switch on that Box under dash is located to find? Thank you
Colette, First of all, sorry for the delay. I somehow missed this when responding to comments. It sounds like you have pretty well covered your bases. I would definitely take it to an authorized Compustar dealer for diagnosis. I wish I had a better answer.
Symptoms: Pressing ANY button on the remote results in no response from vehicle, only red lights on remote. I entered the passive mode UNLOCK+TRUNK UNLOCK, and the remote eas working normally.I have a 2011 Ford F-150. Hope this helps.
I just tried the passive, mode, which on mine is LOCK + TRUNK UNLOCK. The remote light flickers blue in response, but when I push the bottom autostart, the remote flickers but the car does not respond, the tail lights do not blink like they used to when we activated the remote. Thats why I am wondering if something in the car got unhooked, or has a battery problem. The car starts just fine with the key. Also, when I use the remote to lock or unlock the dorrs, it does do that on the car, but no tail lights flash in response, and horn does not honk once, like it used to.
Colette, Honestly, it seems like it is in Valet mode. Be sure that you are pressing the Lock and Trunk buttons at precisely the same time and only for a half a second. Other thank that, it would need to be looked at. if this is an install that we did originally, please call us to set up an appointment for us to troubleshoot the issue at no charge. If it was purchased elsewhere, we would still be able to help but there would be a fee for our time. I hope this helps.
Hit LOCK and TRUNK at the same time for 1/2 second… I think your issue is Valet mode, not passive mode…
You have saved us a $100+ repair bill. What I was doing wrong was holding LOCK and TRUNK at the same time until the lights flickered on the remote. When I held the two down together for only a 1/2 second, it worked. It now will start the car using the remote and all the lights blink on the car as they are suppose to, and the horn chirps once when I hit lock. Thank you for making these posts available, and for actually responding to people questions in such a timely manner.
yaaaaaaaay same issue!!! thanks its freezin in ft mac brrr
Everytime I use my car starter the alarm goes of only stops when I unlock doors
There are several things that this could be, but the most likely reason is that the installer did not tie in or configure the factory alarm disarm feature (I’m assuming that the alarm that is sounding is a factory alarm)… If this is not tied in properly, the alarm will sound if the factory alarm is armed and the vehicle is remote started… The car thinks it is being stolen… Check with your installer. He/she will likely need to get back in there and do some work.
my problem was exactly as collette’s above. the half second timing to get out of valet mode is fairly critical. hold the buttons too long and the mode does not change. You’ve saved me a great deal of frustration and money as well…thank you
Glad to help… It is a common issue that we see a lot at the store here… A lot of times, I’ll hit the 2 buttons covertly while walking out to the customer’s car to see the “issue.” Then I hit the start button and it magically starts. Customer looks at me like I have a third eye and I’ll say “Yes…. We are THAT good!” And then I show them what I did…
As I said, its a common issue… but a very simple on to fix!
Have a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado with a nustart 1500 installed in it, worked fine up until last week lock and unlock buttons work but when i press the start button no lights flash but its like its turning the key on and off on and off because i can hear the blower motor come on and go off it will do these a couple times and then it locks the doors and nothing?
Any help would be apperciated thanks!
I would bet it’s a Passlock issue. You should take it back to your installer and have them check it out… That is a tough one to diagnose without seeing it..
Mitch:
I bought a used 2004 Saturn Ion a couple of years ago with a remote start installed. When I purchased the car, the remote start worked perfectly (not sure when it was originally installed). Last winter, it stopped working and I have not been able to get it to work since. Because the Saturn Ion has so many problems starting in the winter I would love to have it working again. There is no owners manual in the vehicle but from what I can tell it is a Valet 562T model with a 474T remote (looks like this: http://images10.newegg.com/ProductImageCompressAll300/82-752-006-02.jpg).
The lock, unlock, and auxiliary buttons all work (the aux opens the trunk), but the horn doesn’t beep when I lock the car, and the lights only flash sometimes when I unlock it. Pressing the star (yellow) button twice within 3 seconds used to start the car, but does not anymore. It sounds like it’s in valet mode but I need help getting it to work. Any suggestions?
Brianna,
I agree that it sounds like it is a valet mode issue. Unfortunately, this is not a brand that we offer. I believe Valet remote car starters are made by Directed Electronics. I would try to contact them about this situation. It likely is a simple fix for someone who is familiar with that brand.
Good luck.
I have a 2002 Honda Civic. I had a remote strater installed last year and it has been working trouble free until 3 days ago (during our -30 degree winter). I think I pressed the wrong button by mistake when I tried to start it at that time. I spoke with the installers (over the phone) and they did not tell me your great 1/2 second rule. I tried your way…and low and behold! It started. You saved me a trip of about 1 1/2 hours. I only tried starting it the once….and hoping it will start again tomorrow morning.
If it doesn’t…I will let you know… otherwise THANK YOU!
Glad we were able to help!
Hello Mitch,
I was hoping you could help me as I have been calling the dealer, leaving several messages over the last month and have had no return call.
We own a 2004 Honda Odessey and had a remote starte/entry installed when we purchased the car. Lately the car will start remotely then the engine cuts out within 1-2 seconds. The dash lights, radio and heater stay on like the key was in the dash but the car does not stay running.
The red alarm light does appear to be functioning appropriately.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Patty
I’d suspect that your issue is a related to the transponder. It really is something that you will need to have someone take a look at. If I am correct it is nothing major, but does require a professional to service. Good luck!
Hello,
I have a 2008 Dodge Charger R/T with a remote start that was installed before I bought it from the dealership. Last month my battery died for reasons unknown, took a charge and has held it for a month, however the remote start has not worked since the battery was disconnected.
I read that it may be necessary to take the car back to the place of install, however was trying to avoid that because this dealership, I won’t mention any names, Bill Luke, has ripped me off, swirled the car and performed below average work on the vehicle in the past.
Do you have any advice on how to maybe solve this problem WITHOUT going back to the dirty dealership???
Thanks for your help!!
Scott in Phx
Sounds like your remotes need reprogramming.. It is possible that the manufacturer would be able to walk you through the reprogramming procedure. Give them a call and see what they can tell you. in some cases, remotes need to be programmed by the installer in which case you will need to find an authorized dealer for your product in your area. Good luck!
Hi there I have a compustar 901ss 2 way car starter. Lately I tried to auto start my car with remote and it keeps giving me an error 01 on the display. I’ve read the manual and it says related to Engine On. It also shows on my remote that the engine is running. Can anyone help me out?
Mitch is right, i was having the same problem but the trick is to only hit the lock and trunk buttons for half a second,i kept holding them and got no results….Thanks Mitch
Glad to help!
I have a remote starter , was working fine and then one day everything just stopped working. I have replaced the batteries in both remotes still nothing . What’s my next step?
That’s a tough one… Could be any number of things. Perhaps something as simple as the remotes losing programming… Contact your installer and set up an appointment to have it looked at.
I just got a 2005 jeep liberty with remote start, It worked fine for the first couple of days. After almost a week it starts and shuts off immediately and then starts again and shuts off. The check engine light came on about the same time that stopped working right. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Sorry I am late in responding.. My guess is that you’ve solved this by now… In any case, you definitely want to take it back to your installer. Could be transponder related. Also could be programming.. Does sound starter related based on the info you provided. Again, sorry for the delay. Let me know how you made out.
i have a 2000 ford f250 superduty the auto start on it is made by astroflex or astrostart. when i press the buttons i can hear the starter under the dash clicking… also when i start the vehicle with the key i can hear it clicking… but it will; not start the vehicle…
There ought to be an On/Off switch under the dash. Be sure that it is in the on position. I know that is pretty basic info, but you would be amazed how many people forget that this switch exists!
I have a 2004 Acura tsx and I had a remote starter put on by a proffenial about
A year ago and just two days ago I try to start the car but there is nothing happening
Whatsoever there is no electricity in da while car but jut the hazard ligth turns on
At first I though it mitgh be the battery but I brought it to auto zone
And they told me that its fully charge ,, and my car still completely death please help me what can I do ??????
You need professional help. I would take the vehicle to a specialist in remote starters and have them rule out the remote starter as the problem. It is possible that the starter is causing the problem, but it is just as likely that it is not. Good Luck!
I have a 2003 Regal- starter works fine – but cannot unlock my floor shift. Any suggestions – the model is AstroStart
I recently bought a vehicle that has remote start function. However I must have hit a button by accident and now they car will only start with the remote and not manually. It was a private sale and the remote’s brand is worn off. The previous owner does not know how to disable this function. I only have FCC ID: JT3KT7A which is installed on a Dodge 01 Intrepid.
Another tough one… I suspect that you have an ignition switch issue… Or a defective anti grid / starter kill circuit.
Bob, I do not have any ideas for you on this one. Sorry. My best guess is that this is not related to your remote car starter. I could be wrong since I am not able to inspect it myself, but I’d bet that I’m right!
I have an 09 Malibu, remote start will make lights flash and start engine but immediatly dies! To start the process over the battery has to be unhooked then it will make lights flash and start then die!
Most definitely it is a Passlock bypass related issue.. I would stop using the remote starter until you can get this to a professional for service.
very useful information and easy to understand. thank you guys.
Thanks! We try!
I have a Clifford (Arrow 5) alarm with compustar starter. Lately when I try to start it the lights flash and a click can be heard but nothing happens. The blue LED flashes 10 times. Even after a few tries. However, if I try it later during the day it can start up without any problem. I’m wondering if it isn’t power related.
Thank you for your time.
Dan
Hi Mitch,
Any idea how I can resolve this issue? My remote alarm starter stopped working over night? I notice the LED light mounted on the windshield is no longer lit up? The doors won’t lock & unlock by remote either? I can only unlock the door manually and as soon as I open the door, the alarm goes off until I put the key in the ignition and start the car? I did change the battery in the remote as well so am certain that’s not the issue? Your suggestion would be appreciated. I have no manual as I purchased the car used 6 months ago
Lynne, I would need a lot more information in order to offer any advice… What kind of vehicle, what make and model Remote Car Starter, etc. ?? Feel free to drop in with the vehicle if you are in our area.
I have a 2006 Nissan Sentra and I have had a Python 890 car starter installed since I bought the car. Recently for no reason, the car starter stopped working, so response what so ever. I can lock and unlock the car, as well as pop the trunk from the key chain, but the car will not start. I don’t know if maybe my kids grabbed the remote and put the car into an unresponsive mode. I found a small black button with a red light behind the coin drawer where the fuses are and held it in to possibly reset the valet mode. But that too didn’t work. I had bought and had the car starter installed by Circuit City, but they have gone out of business so the warranty is no good. Please help.
Tamara, I suspect that your remote starter is in Valet mode. I would use Google to try to determine the proper method of getting the Python Remote Car Starter out of valet mode. Thanks for posting.
Hi, Mitch. I have a Ford Explorer 2007, with a Viper 5904. When I remote start the truck it starts, one minute after it stops and re starts again, stops one minute later and remains stopped. When I check the starter code error it give me 9 flashes, which means battery. the truck battery is ok. The starter is programmed in virtual tach mode not battery. Should I feed the starter with an individual cable from battery?, if so, which gauge should it be? Thank you.
Marcelo, Unfortunately, we do not offer any kind of specific installation advice on this website. We also do not offer the Viper brand in our store so i would not be able to help you with the “9 flashes” error code. I would contact the manufacturer directly with your question.
This has happened twice. Started car with remote start, got into car and dash board lights go on side mirrors that were pulled in wont go out radio not working. it does lock and at night you can see led lights on even the door panel lights where you adjust seat, mirrors driver 1&2.
Rosalia, You really are going to need to take this to a professional. Preferably the same folks that installed your starter. There is a lot going on there and it is likely a programming issue but no way to tell for sure.
Hello,
Recently I had to get a new key made and programmed for my 2003 Nissan Altima bc the mechanic lost the old one. Now my remote start won’t work. The car starts with the key but with the remote it just cranks, never turning over. I did get it to remote start w/ the key just sitting in the ignition (don’t know how I managed that).m Any suggestions?
Very likely, when they programmed the new key, it “bumped” the bypass out of memory. You should go back to the original installer and have them reprogram it. This is something that might incur a fee depending on the situation.
Thank you. I’ll try that.
Hi! I have a 2004 Chrysler 300m with a Astro remote starter
All was well until I had to put oil in it……The car started up for about 2-3 seconds and this happened twice. When tried for a 3rd time the car wouldn’t start remotely or with key. When turned key to see if the lights, radio, wipers, windows & locks work…..they worked fine and the head lights. Did something accidently get switched in codes??! Because all was well even after the oil change up until this moment when the car was parked for about an hour.
Please advise. Thank you in advance.
Very tough to diagnose without seeing it, but I suspect that the transponder bypass has lost programming… When it makes too many failed attempts, it locks out for a period of time. Please take it to an authorized Astrostart dealer and explain your situation.