Car Stereos: Python 413 Remote Starter, hyundai xg350l, remote starters

Question
I had a remote starter installed on my 2004 Hyundai XG350L a few months ago. I have had no problems with it until a couple weeks ago. In hurrying in from the snow, my door didn't shut all the way and my battery was dead in the morning (new battery, just replaced a month prior). After that, my remote start will not work. When I push the button, the lights will flash like it will start, and then the engine attempts to turn over, but it will not start. The lights will stay on as if the car did start. Any idea what could be wrong with this? Any help would be appreciated!!!

Thanks,
Nicole

Answer
Hi Nicole,

Sorry about the delay in answering your question.  

The best thing to do would be to take it back to the place you had the system installed.  I don't think the remote starter is defective, but it might need to be re-programmed.  Unfortunately, this isn't something I can help you do yourself, because I don't know how the installer set up the system.  

From the sound of it, the unit's engine detection is not working correctly.  Basically, all remote starters have a method of determining whether the engine is running or not; this tells the system when to stop cranking the starter.  One type of engine detection is a tach sense, where the system directly determines the engine RPM through a hardwired connection.  Another type is a voltage sense, where the system detects the increased voltage produced by the alternator when the engine is running.  Any installation shop that deals with Directed Electronics (Python's parent company) remote starters should be able to easily determine what type of detection is being used, and reprogram it if necessary; but it won't be as easy for someone who's not an installer.

One thing you might try:  let the unit go through a full cycle of start attempts before you shut it off again.  The remote starter is programmed to attempt to start three times before it gives up.  If it's programmed for a voltage sense, it might take twenty or thirty seconds before it determines that the first attempt has failed, and tries again.  I'd let the system attempt to start, and if it fails, wait at least thirty seconds for a second attempt.  The second attempt may succeed; if it does, wait another thirty seconds and shut the car off again using the remote.  After that, it might work better.  If the starter fails on three attempts, though, you'll definitely need to visit the installation shop.

Hope this helps!

Brian