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Old 12-29-2008, 07:18 PM   #1
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Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sys?

Here is a brief summary of my Auto Start experience over the last 3 or 4 months, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

• Prestige 2-way Auto Start “professionally” Installed.
• Later the same day as the install the Check engine light and all traction control lights came on once key was put in the ignition, traction control was disabled.
• After a few hours and several restarts with just the key in ignition the lights cleared and everything was normal.
• The next day the lights came when I used the auto start system and key put in ignition.
• I brought the vehicle back to the place where the Auto Start was installed, they reset the unit by disconnecting the -12v battery lead for five minutes. And said that the computer just needed to recognize the new hardware. “a common problem with Toyota”
• No lights came on when auto started until the next day, and I once again had the same problem.
• At this point the company that installed the auto start system was convinced that the lights were not related to the auto start system.
• Due to the fact that I never had this issue until the day the system was installed, I did not agree, so I drove the vehicle for three weeks without using the auto start and no lights never came on and the traction control system worked fine.
• Three weeks later I auto started the vehicle and vuall’a the lights came on and the traction control was disabled.
• I called the Auto start company and reported my findings,
• So I took the vehicle back again and the installers looked over all of the wiring and replaced the security module. They were then able to auto start the vehicle several times with no trouble. Once I picked up the vehicle got it home and auto started it later that evening the lights came back on. Called the Auto Start company and let them know that the problem was not fixed. They told me that my exhaust stinks and there must be something wrong with my vehicle, or it was because of the lift I installed way before I ever had the auto start installed or had any problems.
• So I took the vehicle into Toyota who found a trouble code for the “Neutral Safety Switch”. They ordered the part.
• A week later they went to change out the switch and discovered it did not correct the problem so they put the old switch back in and gave me a slip of paper stating that the light were coming on due to the aftermarket auto start system.
• So I called the Auto Start people faxed them the Toyota document and asked that they remove the entire system. They were outraged, called Toyota and argued that they could not put the blame on them if they couldn’t see where the problem was originating from. And rather than remove the system the want to see if a “Compu-star” system module will make a difference.
• Despite the fact that I am very tired of dealing with this non-sense and am doubting that it will help, I agreed an scheduled an appointment to see what happens. 1/6/09

Has anyone ever come across a similar problem, or have any suggestions of things that I can check to avoid bringing the vehicle back to these guys? Is there any thing about an ’08 Trail Teams rig that could be different from an ’07 FJ that the auto start company claims to have installed several of these units on without any problems?

Thanks for reading

Last edited by mitchm : 01-02-2009 at 06:15 PM.
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Old 12-29-2008, 07:57 PM   #2
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Re: Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sy

Yes the 2008 FJ has engine immobilizer (the key has to be programed to start the truck). 2007 does not have this (you cut a key it starts truck). Most aftermarket auto start systems take a valet key mount it some where under dash if it is mounted to close to immobilizer it can cause some problems. If the truck will start with out turning on check engine light when not using auto start then auto start is messing with neutral safety switch. If neutral safety switch is problem then it will be a problem when start truck with or with out auto start. Sounds like you need to get auto start installer to see if they will disable auto start or take it off and drive for a week and see if you have any problems if no problems then it must be auto start.
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Old 12-29-2008, 08:02 PM   #3
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Re: Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sy

I've had the same issues but can't find anyone to figure out what the issue is. The lights only come on when the auto starter is used. So, I know the starter is the cause of the problem.

If u find an answer please let me know.
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Old 12-29-2008, 10:12 PM   #4
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Re: Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sy

Quote:
sponge bob previously said: View Post
Yes the 2008 FJ has engine immobilizer (the key has to be programed to start the truck). 2007 does not have this (you cut a key it starts truck). Most aftermarket auto start systems take a valet key mount it some where under dash if it is mounted to close to immobilizer it can cause some problems. If the truck will start with out turning on check engine light when not using auto start then auto start is messing with neutral safety switch. If neutral safety switch is problem then it will be a problem when start truck with or with out auto start. Sounds like you need to get auto start installer to see if they will disable auto start or take it off and drive for a week and see if you have any problems if no problems then it must be auto start.
Interesting thought on the key, they described this system as such that a device reads the codes from all of the keys that I have, and that the module will cycle the codes and be able to start the vehicle. No key was sacraficed to the install and I still have all three keys from the dealer. But what would happen if the vehicle saw the same code from the security module as the code read from the actual key put in the ignition?

The lights only come on when the vehicle has been auto started and come on at the point when I put the key in the ignition and the auto start regognizes that I have pressed the brake pedal. First the check engine light comes on, then the moment I take it out of Park the rest of lights come on and the Traction control disables.

Last edited by mitchm : 01-01-2009 at 09:11 PM.
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Old 12-29-2008, 10:17 PM   #5
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Re: Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sy

Quote:
SKINUM previously said: View Post
I've had the same issues but can't find anyone to figure out what the issue is. The lights only come on when the auto starter is used. So, I know the starter is the cause of the problem.

If u find an answer please let me know.
Skinum,

What year is your FJ?
What auto start system do you have?
Do you have an automatic transmision?

Thanks.
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Old 12-30-2008, 12:22 AM   #6
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Re: Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sy

Quote:
mitchm previously said: View Post
Skinum,

What year is your FJ?
What auto start system do you have?
Do you have an automatic transmision?

Thanks.
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Last edited by SKINUM : 12-30-2008 at 12:27 AM.
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Old 12-30-2008, 03:01 AM   #7
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Re: Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sy

Talk to these guys they have alot of knowledge about the autostart http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...rs-1304dp.html
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Old 12-31-2008, 10:46 AM   #8
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Re: Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sy

Quote:
1sicknickel previously said: View Post
Talk to these guys they have alot of knowledge about the autostart http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...rs-1304dp.html
Thanks!! I'm working on an answer.
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Old 12-31-2008, 10:51 AM   #9
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Re: Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sy

Quote:
sponge bob previously said: View Post
Yes the 2008 FJ has engine immobilizer (the key has to be programed to start the truck). 2007 does not have this (you cut a key it starts truck). Most aftermarket auto start systems take a valet key mount it some where under dash if it is mounted to close to immobilizer it can cause some problems. If the truck will start with out turning on check engine light when not using auto start then auto start is messing with neutral safety switch. If neutral safety switch is problem then it will be a problem when start truck with or with out auto start. Sounds like you need to get auto start installer to see if they will disable auto start or take it off and drive for a week and see if you have any problems if no problems then it must be auto start.
This is the answer. To better test that this is it. Put your key in, but don't turn it. now remote start the car... it should work normal. This is because of the 08 and up immobilizer, sounds like the install is missing the mod. box that needs one of your keys or a toyota bypass box.
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Old 12-31-2008, 11:33 AM   #10
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Re: Is it the Autostart Sys. causing check engine light & loss of Traction Control sy

Quote:
TinCan previously said: View Post
This is the answer. To better test that this is it. Put your key in, but don't turn it. now remote start the car... it should work normal. This is because of the 08 and up immobilizer, sounds like the install is missing the mod. box that needs one of your keys or a toyota bypass box.
I will give this a try, however I may have to disconnect the battery first to clear the lights, and its a bit cold out there -9*F. I will post the results.

Food for thought; The auto start does not cause the lights to come on every time that I use it, but the lights only come on if the Auto start has been used.

Last edited by mitchm : 01-01-2009 at 09:12 PM.
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