Help! - Remote start on 2008 Infiniti QX56?

[skyparker]

Just had a remote start installed on my new 2008 QX56. Installer got engine to start remotely but vehicle does not sense the intelligent key fob when you approach the door. Any suggestions to a work-around for this? Many thanks...Sky

[Timmbo]

I will ask around and see if any of my fellow mods have any ideas.

[Rex]

Do you mean to automatically unlock, as you approach?

I doubt this can be done, as it would not be able to sense you approaching versus you sitting in the car and would unlock the doors all the time.

If you mean the car's OEM "remote" won't work when the car is running, that may be something that can be solved, but I think the installer should know how to accommodate this.

[the converted]

It's pretty much the way it's going to be. It won't respond to another smart key because it already sees that there is one in the car. The computer basically doesn't care because as far as it is concerned there is already someone in the drivers seat.

If it is in fact that the lock unlock won't work on the remote, that sounds like a nightmare to make work. Not saying it can't be done, but I'd be more than surprised to find an installer willing to dig through the fsm for hours to figure out how the bcm is getting info that the car is running, and then intercepting it without tripping a check engine light.

[skyparker]

Rex,

Thanks for your help. I should have explained my problem better.

The car will start remotely but shuts off when you step on the brake. The car does not sense the fob when you approach it. All other remote features (lock, unlock etc) work normally.

I'm looking for a work-around whereby the car senses the fob when you approach so the engine won't kill when you step on the brake.

Thanks again.

Sky

[skyparker]

H

It's pretty much the way it's going to be. It won't respond to another smart key because it already sees that there is one in the car. The computer basically doesn't care because as far as it is concerned there is already someone in the drivers seat.

If it is in fact that the lock unlock won't work on the remote, that sounds like a nightmare to make work. Not saying it can't be done, but I'd be more than surprised to find an installer willing to dig through the fsm for hours to figure out how the bcm is getting info that the car is running, and then intercepting it without tripping a check engine light.

Thanks for your help. I should have explained my problem better.

The problem is only with the remote start. The car will start remotely but shuts off when you get in and step on the brake. The car is not sensing the fob when you approach it. All other remote features (lock, unlock, etc) work normally.

I'm looking for a work-around whereby the car senses the fob when you approach so the engine won't kill and all other features are active

Would be glad to contact any other installers who have dealt with this already.

Thanks again.

[skyparker]

I will ask around and see if any of my fellow mods have any ideas.

Timmbo, Thanks for your help. I should have explained my problem better.

The car will start remotely but shuts off you when you get in and step on the brake. The car does not sense the fob. All other remote features (lock, unlock etc) work normally.

I'm looking for a work-around whereby the car senses the fob so the engine won't kill when you step on the brake.

Thanks again for any help on this.

[the converted]

Oh, I'll look into that some more for you. Thats a little more of an odd problem.

[Eikon]

Isn't it true that all auto start systems shut down if you put your foot on the brake prior to inserting the key and putting the car in the drive position. I think this is a standard safety procedure.

What you'll need to do is have the place that installed the system remove this safety feature.

Just a guess from a newb

[OHQX]

I had a remote start installed on my QX56 on Monday of this week and have the same result. As posted earlier, the system is already detecting the presence of an Intelligent Key (your auto-start unit), so it doesn't recognize the second fob when you approach the vehicle. The outside button to unlock/lock the doors works normally, but a few other functions get screwed up:

Impact: When you get into the driver's seat after remotely starting the vehicle, you cannot turn the ignition switch because it's not recognizing your Intelligent Key.Work-around: Hit the brake to stop the engine from running; this will 'un-recognize' the remote start's Intelligent Key and allow your carried Intelligent Key to be recognized. Then start the car as normal.Second work-around: Insert the actual key from the Intelligent Key fob into the ignition.

Impact: If the QX is remote-started, the rear liftgate release button will not work when depressed, nor will it open in response to any fob command, nor will the dash button open the liftgate. In short, no rear liftgate action...Work-around: None. You must cancel the remote start by pressing the brake pedal to open the rear liftgate.

Impact: After remote starting the QX, either allowing the idle timer to expire (25 minutes on mine) or using the remote start fob to shut off the QX results in the headlamps staying on indefinitely. Naturally, if left unattended in this condition, you will have a dead battery.Work-around: None. You must open and close a door to turn off the headlamps.

One other note: As originally programmed, my remote start keyfob opened the rear liftgate by briefly depressing button 3. I was concerned mis-handling the fob could too easily open the liftgate in error, so I had them re-program my remote. Now I have to press button 4, then quickly press button 2 to open my liftgate. Mucho better.

All of this was with the CompuStar Pro Remote Start system using their PW9000-S key fob. If your remote start isn't a CompuStar, YMMV.
Modified by OHQX at 5:35 PM 1/31/2008

[skyparker]

I had a remote start installed on my QX56 on Monday of this week and have the same result. As posted earlier, the system is already detecting the presence of an Intelligent Key (your auto-start unit), so it doesn't recognize the second fob when you approach the vehicle. The outside button to unlock/lock the doors works normally, but a few other functions get screwed up:

Impact: When you get into the driver's seat after remotely starting the vehicle, you cannot turn the ignition switch because it's not recognizing your Intelligent Key.Work-around: Hit the brake to stop the engine from running; this will 'un-recognize' the remote start's Intelligent Key and allow your carried Intelligent Key to be recognized. Then start the car as normal.Second work-around: Insert the actual key from the Intelligent Key fob into the ignition.

Impact: If the QX is remote-started, the rear liftgate release button will not work when depressed, nor will it open in response to any fob command, nor will the dash button open the liftgate. In short, no rear liftgate action...Work-around: None. You must cancel the remote start by pressing the brake pedal to open the rear liftgate.

Impact: After remote starting the QX, either allowing the idle timer to expire (25 minutes on mine) or using the remote start fob to shut off the QX results in the headlamps staying on indefinitely. Naturally, if left unattended in this condition, you will have a dead battery.Work-around: None. You must open and close a door to turn off the headlamps.

One other note: As originally programmed, my remote start keyfob opened the rear liftgate by briefly depressing button 3. I was concerned mis-handling the fob could too easily open the liftgate in error, so I had them re-program my remote. Now I have to press button 4, then quickly press button 2 to open my liftgate. Mucho better.

All of this was with the CompuStar Pro Remote Start system using their PW9000-S key fob. If your remote start isn't a CompuStar, YMMV.

Modified by OHQX at 5:35 PM 1/31/2008

OHQX, Great info. Many thanks.

Question: Would there be a way to program a some sort of by-pass for the remote start module to fire the engine and then sense a fob when you approach? When you start the car with the ignition switch, the fob knows when you have exited and walked away. I would think that the RF could be searching for a fob after a remote start.

The modules the installer used was an idatalink multi series ADS-AL-CA with Autopage RS-602 2-channel remote car starter with keyless entry and trunk release.

Again, thanks for your great post and tips.

[OHQX]

OHQX, Great info. Many thanks.

Question: Would there be a way to program a some sort of by-pass for the remote start module to fire the engine and then sense a fob when you approach? When you start the car with the ignition switch, the fob knows when you have exited and walked away. I would think that the RF could be searching for a fob after a remote start.

According to my installer, this type of programming just isn't possible. In order to allow the remote start to work, they *must* fool the car into recognizing their module as an Intelligent Key. The only way too un-link the module is by turning the ignition key switch to the Run position (not possible in Infiniti's case) or canceling the start session by pressing the break pedal. I *think* unlinking the module without the ignition key results in the engine stopping, rendering remote start completely non-functional.

We might want to find other vehicles that use a no-key starting system (Corvette, some Cadillacs, etc.) to see if they are experiencing the same issues after installing remote start systems.

[edrock200]

Resurrecting an old thread here. Been Google searching for a few days for intellikey remote start on armadas and qx56's with little luck.

From what I can tell, with our cars there are a few issues:
Since we have tumbler starts instead of push buttons with the intellikeys, the tumbler won't turn once the car is already running via remote start due to it being "married" to the remote start key.
Possible Solution: Anyway to disengage the smartkey unit in the remote start after starting? Will this kill the motor or will it just display a key warning on the display?

Headlights stay on if you let the remote start time out.
Solution: I had the same issue with my sequoia and I just built a relay that pulses the drivers side door pin when the engine shuts off, making the car think I've exited the vehicle


Use factory remote: Again, seems simple enough, tie a trigger to the door lock buttons, you just can't shut the engine off once its running, you have to let it time out or use the remote that came with the remote start, not a huge deal for me. Although I did consider moding a larger smart key with the innards of both the factory key and the remote start, but deemed it would simply be too large.

Anyway, on to my question: Do you really have to shut off the engine and turn it back on due to the rare combination of tumbler start and intellikey (or pull out the valet key)?

I love remote starts, and have it on my other vehicles and use the simple "put the key in, turn to on, hit the brake" method, but it seems like this just won't work with the qx56/armada with intellikey. Anyone who has experience with this, please chime in.

[Timmbo]

Wow, that is a way super technical question, I wish I had an idea, but that is tough!

[edrock200]

I think I might have found a solution. Involves grounding a key sense wire to allow the tumbler to turn. But need to test the disengaging of the virtual key, which I'm not sure of. Going to talk to a few friends who are pros at this to see if they can offer any insight. Will report back when I find out, but may not be soon as I've prioritized other projects right now for the car.

[Timmbo]

I think I might have found a solution. Involves grounding a key sense wire to allow the tumbler to turn. But need to test the disengaging of the virtual key, which I'm not sure of. Going to talk to a few friends who are pros at this to see if they can offer any insight. Will report back when I find out, but may not be soon as I've prioritized other projects right now for the car.

Sounds good! Thanks for the update and good luck!

[Q56owner]

My remote start allows me to turn the ignition on (fob in my pocket), so when I do step on the brake it continues to run, but unless I have the fob with me it will shut down when I step on the brake.

[Timmbo]

That sounds like a good idea.