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Astrostart malfunction

Tiny
SANDILEEMG
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
I have a 2007 Dodge Caravan with an after market Astrostart remote car starter.

This morning I remotely started my van to warm it up. I went out after 10 minutes, got in, put the key in and turned it to the on position, stepped on the brake to move into drive and the van stalled just like there was no key in it. I tried to restart it but the engine does not turn over. Everything else in the van works. Light, radio, air. The engine will not turn over. I let it sit for about 2 hours and retried but nothing. Someone suggested putting the key in the ignition, turning it to the on position, let that sit for 10 minutes then try starting. That did nothing. Then another person told me to switch the on/off switch on the remote starter panel by the gas medal and try turning the van over. Nothing. It starts and runs fine with the remote starter, I just can't go anywhere.
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Friday, March 25th, 2011 AT 9:46 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So did all this start since you had the remote start installed?Here is a description of how your anti theft work's.

DESCRIPTION

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM

The Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) is designed to protect against whole vehicle theft. The system monitors vehicle doors, and ignition action for unauthorized operation (hood and liftgate for RG - Export). The alarm activates:

* Sounding of the horn
* Flashing of the headlamps/park/tail lamps
* Flashing of the headlamps
* An engine kill feature (with SKREES)

SENTRY KEY REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM

The Sentry Key Remote Entry System (SKREES) is available as a factory-installed option on this vehicle. It is designed to provide passive protection against unauthorized vehicle use by disabling the engine, after two (2) seconds of running, whenever an invalid key is used to start the vehicle. The SKIS is active whenever the ignition is on and does not require any customer intervention. The primary components of the system are the Sentry Key Remote Entry Module (SKREEM), Sentry Key (integrated key with transponder and RKE on a circuit board), indicator light, Body Control Module (BCM), and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The SKREEM is mounted to the steering column with the molded, integral antenna mounted on the ignition housing. The indicator light, is located in the Mechanical Instrument Cluster (MIC).
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Friday, March 25th, 2011 AT 11:01 PM
Tiny
SANDILEEMG
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  • 8 POSTS
Thank you for your reply! I have had the remote starter since I got the vehicle in 2007 so its worked fine until today. I don't have the alarm, just the remote starter. So does this mean it could be the key? Unfortunately, I only have the one key so I can't even use another to check. The dealership told me even to get a new key I would need to tow the van to them.
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Friday, March 25th, 2011 AT 11:41 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So the security light is on solid or flashing when you put the key in and it stall's?You could have a bad key if it's aftermarket remote start they have a add on transponder to make the car's with anti theft able to start with the remote start and with the key.
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Friday, March 25th, 2011 AT 11:56 PM
Tiny
SANDILEEMG
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I'm not sure where the security light is. If you can tell me where to look, I can check. Plus I don't get a message on the dash saying "bad key" which it should if that was the case no?
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 12:01 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Far right hand side above the temp gauge. If the key was bad it wouldn't tell you on the dash.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
SANDILEEMG
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  • 8 POSTS
I just went and looked. I turned the van on with the remote starter, put the key into the ignition and turned it to on, pressed on the brake to put it into gear and the engine turned off. No lights at all came on when it turned off. When I tried to start it with the key, the security light came on and stayed solid as well as all the other regular things that light up on the dash. Hope that helps.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That tells me it's the security system that is keeping it from starting like I thought. Possibly a bad key I doubt you could trouble shoot this problem yourself. You would need a scan tool that can read body control code's tools a multimeter etc.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 12:51 AM
Tiny
SANDILEEMG
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you so much for helping me. I think I will get my son to come over and disconnect the remote starter and see if that works. If not then I guess I tow it to get a new key. Thank you again. I truly appreciate your help!
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 12:55 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You can try removing the remote start but it sound's like that is working pretty good since it only runs on that. Keep me posted on how you make out and what you find.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 12:58 AM
Tiny
SANDILEEMG
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  • 8 POSTS
But do you think it could be the remote starter not recognizing there is a key in there or more likely the key just stopped doing its job? I'm sure this is irrelevant but the key works fine for opening and locking doors and the panic button.

I will for sure let you know what the verdict is!
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 1:04 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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The key works the locks but the key chip part could be inop that is one thing that can be wrong. Let me know what you find.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 1:15 AM
Tiny
SANDILEEMG
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Thanks again!
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 1:15 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome keep me posted.
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Saturday, March 26th, 2011 AT 1:17 AM
Tiny
SANDILEEMG
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi:

I finally got my van back last night and it was a wire in the ignition. $450.00 later and its fixed. OUCH!

Thank you again for your help! I hope you have a great weekend! !
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Saturday, April 2nd, 2011 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome glad you got it fixed sorry to hear about the bill though. You have a great weekend as well.
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Sunday, April 3rd, 2011 AT 1:04 AM

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