GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 2009 🢒 STS 🢒 Safety and Security 🢒 Remote Functions 🢒 Remote Vehicle Start Inoperative

Diagnostic Instructions
    •  Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    •  Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of each diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Circuit/System Description

Remote vehicle start (RVS) begins as a radio frequency (RF) message sent from a keyless entry transmitter to the external RF antenna located in the back glass. This antenna is connected via coax cable to the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR). The RVS request is sent by the RCDLR to the rear integration module (RIM) via serial data. The RIM monitors system conditions such as content theft deterrent (CTD), hood ajar status, and body DTCs to determine if an RVS event will occur. If conditions are determined to be acceptable, the RVS message is sent to the engine control module (ECM). The ECM monitors system conditions such as engine control parameters and vehicle theft deterrent (VTD) to determine if engine starting will be allowed. If conditions are acceptable, the ECM will initiate engine starting. During the engine run time in a RVS attempt, before the operator enters the vehicle, the ECM may discontinue engine operation if system conditions require it or a message is received from the RIM requesting the engine be turned OFF.

Diagnostic Aids

Important: If the vehicle has a current vehicle DTC that illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), the cause of the DTC must be diagnosed before proceeding with the Remote Vehicle Start Inoperative diagnostic.

The RVS system will not operate if any of the following conditions are present:

    • A current vehicle DTC that illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
    • The vehicle is in valet mode.
    • More than 2 remote starts have been attempted.
    • The hazard switch is in the ON position.
    • A current hazard switch DTC is set.
    • The vehicle hood is ajar.
    • A current hood ajar DTC is set.
    • The CTD system detects an alarm trigger.
    • Excessive engine RPM
    • Excessive coolant temperature
    • Accelerator pedal position greater than 0 percent
    • Vehicle not in park
    • Vehicle theft deterrent malfunction
    • A current automatic transmission shift lock control system DRC is set.
    • A vehicle speed sensor signal is detected by the ECM.

Poor performance or intermittent failed remote vehicle start attempts may be due to one of the following:

    • Insufficient connection of the external RF antenna to the RCDLR
    • Low transmitter battery
    • Low vehicle battery
    • Radio Frequency (RF) interference from aftermarket devices such as 2-way radios, power inverters, cellular phone chargers, computers, etc...
    • High RF traffic areas, such as gas stations which use pay-at-the-pump RF transponders

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Remote Function Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Keyless Entry System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification
  1. Verify that RVS is enabled through vehicle personalization.
    2. ⇒If RVS is not enabled, use vehicle personalization to turn on RVS functionality. Refer to the vehicle owners manual.
  2. Verify that the keyless entry functions (lock, unlock, and panic) operate with all available keyless entry transmitters.
    3. ⇒If the keyless entry system does not function properly, refer to Keyless Entry System Inoperative.
  3. Observe the scan tool ECM RVS Disable History parameters. Verify that no RVS Disable History items are present.
    4. ⇒If RVS Disable History items are present, refer to the applicable subsection in which the failure occurred.
  4. Verify the scan tool RIM Current CTD Trigger parameter displays None.
    5. ⇒If not specified value, refer to Content Theft Deterrent Malfunction.
  5. Inspect the external RF antenna connection at the RCDLR. First, gently pull on the coax connector at the module. If the coax comes out, then it wasn’t seated properly. Remove and carefully inspect the coax connection for bent blades or a bent center pin. Fix coax connection if necessary and re-seat connector until a "click" is heard. Gently pull on the coax connection to make sure it is seated properly.