GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2008 🢒 Caprice WM 🢒 Diagnostic Navigation 🢒 Vehicle Diagnostic Information 🢒 Remote Vehicle Start Malfunction

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 an RF message received by the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) from a keyless entry transmitter. The RVS request is sent by the RCDLR to the body control module (BCM) via serial data. The BCM 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 BCM 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 DTC is set.
    • A vehicle speed sensor signal is detected by the ECM.

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 operate with all available keyless entry transmitters.
    3. ⇒If the keyless entry system does not function properly, refer to Keyless Entry System Malfunction.
  3. Observe the scan tool ECM and BCM RVS Disable History parameters, Verify that no RVS Disable History items are present.
    4. ⇒If RVS Disable History items are present, refer to the appropriate subsection in which the failure occurred.
  4. Verify the scan tool BCM Current CTD Trigger parameter displays None.
    5. ⇒If not specified value, refer to Content Theft Deterrent Malfunction.