Remote Start (Toyota) cold weather problems

[dave1xyz]

My recently installed Toyota brand remote start (on 07 camry XLE) does not operate in very cold weather (<-20C). When activating via the remote, the vehicle lights flash but start is not initiated. It is just as though there is a cold weather limit over-ride. Anybody else experiencing same or have comments ? I have had it to the dealer for this and they are baffled.
Tnx

[DFBonnett]

My guess is that there is a relay in that circuit which gets balky when cold. I have a similar situation with a relay in my Crapillac.

[dave1xyz]

This morning the dealer advised they have other units with the same problem. Not all units are demonstrating this so they may need to replace some. Will update later when I hear back from them.

[sparkyguy80]

My 07XLE V4 makes a scratchy noise when i try to starte it after a cold night, and the computer is so slow that the display is all garble, and radio takes a minutes to start playing...bottom line is VERY cold weather will mess up the remote start.

[vzczc]

My recently installed Toyota brand remote start (on 07 camry XLE) does not operate in very cold weather (<-20C). When activating via the remote, the vehicle lights flash but start is not initiated. It is just as though there is a cold weather limit over-ride. Anybody else experiencing same or have comments ? I have had it to the dealer for this and they are baffled.
Tnx

I heard of an instance where the remote starter didn't start the car. After lots of work by the dealer, many replacements etc, it was found that it was the battery. They replaced the battery and all was well. I don't have model car nor model starter details at this time. Since your car is a 2007, this should not be the problem, but batteries do get less efficient in cold weather.

[dave1xyz]

A post suggests this is perhaps a battery problem. I don't think this is the case for two reasons:

1) the car based unit responds to signals from the hand-held remote; this is known because one can see the signal lights flash in response to remote button pushes. Yes, battery performance decreases in cold weather. During conditions when the remote start does not work the normal smart key systems (doors, lights, engine start) all work fine.

2) The dealer reports at least four other units are not working properly when cold. At the same time several units are working properly. This suggests perhaps a production flaw or change in design perhaps. Dealer is currently investigating.

[Ray2007]

Hello,

I have the exact same problem, 4 days ago the temp went under -17C.
the car (Camry 2007) won't start with the remote. I am planning to bring it next week to dealership. I will keep you posted.

[dave1xyz]

Last week my dealer advised me the Toyota Cold Weater Team would be here in Winnipeg to do some analysis on the problem. Cold weather can be a plague for vehicles. I know that the throttle body mechanism used to freeze up in extreme weather on my '02 Camry SE V6; to resolve it they put on a new throttle body and manifold. I think I read where the throttle body on my present '07 Camry XLE has heated air going to it to prevent freeze-up. Have not had the unit freeze on the '07.

[monolithic]

Last week my dealer advised me the Toyota Cold Weater Team would be here in Winnipeg to do some analysis on the problem.

Sorry - can't resist. I wonder how much trouble you have to cause at Toyota before you get put on the "Toyota Cold Weather Team."

[dave1xyz]

Dealer called; problem diagnosed. They replaced my remote start ECU today. Will see if the problem is resolved (pending temps <20C).
They had a number of units there for other customers who had experienced the problem.

[pistonpounder]

My recently installed Toyota brand remote start (on 07 camry XLE) does not operate in very cold weather (<-20C). When activating via the remote, the vehicle lights flash but start is not initiated. It is just as though there is a cold weather limit over-ride. Anybody else experiencing same or have comments ? I have had it to the dealer for this and they are baffled.
Tnx

I just installed a oem Toyota VIP remote start and I have the same problem, sometimes it starts and other times it won't, the remote works good wit the unlocking and locking with the factory remote, just wondering what you were able to do to fix this problem, Thanks Paul

[dave1xyz]

Yes Paul, I believe it is fixed; they replaced the remote start's ECU. Have not had any temps below -20C since then to verify resolution. Problem only happened when temps were <-20C.
Regards, Dave

[Ray2007]

Hello everyone,

Problem solved,
Remote starter works fine. It took 2 visits to dealer and 1 replacement.
At the end, the problem was: How to use the new starter button?

The new design on these starters, includes a Winter mode.
- Press on starter button for 5-6 seconds, car lights flash and the blue light flashing speed changes: indicating your car is in 'Winter mode'.
- Press on starter button for 1-2 seconds, car lights flash and the car engine starts.

It's been working for the past 10 days (this week -25 to -30C).
Winter mode: Camry 2007's Polar remote starters are equipped with this feature; if you set it, the car will start automatically every 2 hours for 5 minutes until you set it off (remote off, open door, start engine).

Cool feature, if we only knew about ...
I hope, your issue with starter is as simple as mine: I used to press on starter for more than 5 sec, like the pre-2006 models! let me know...

Ray

[engine]

Hi, it depend on what kind of remote starter you have. I live in Winnipeg. Canada. Below -30 is useually winter temperature here. Most of time it wouldn't start in such cold temperature is because the defect unit itself.

[rmittelstedt]

We just bought an '07 RAV4 and are having the same problems. Of course, as soon as I took it in the weather warmed up and the vehicle was inside when the dealer started it so it started every time, but today again we woke up to 8 deg. F temps and it wouldn't start even if I stood next to the vehicle with the remote. Lights came on and vehicle beeped, but ignition wouldn't turn over. I'm going to bring this thread to the dealer today.