Why doesn't auto engine start work on the StarLine A91 alarm system?

01/25/2022 2,621 Alarms

Author: Victor

If the Starline alarm does not start from auto start, this may be a consequence of incorrect connection of the anti-theft system or incorrect setting of the option. Also, first you need to make sure that all safety elements are in working order and diagnose the ignition and fuel supply systems.

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Incorrect setting of operating modes

In most cases, if the remote start of the car engine does not work, the problem lies in incorrect settings of the operating modes. In this case, when you try to start the engine, the security system turns on and emits 4 long beeps. If the car is equipped with a manual transmission (robotic gearbox), reprogramming the alarm will help solve the problem, and if there is a manual transmission (manual), adjusting the program neutral.

In cases where the start worked and suddenly stopped responding to the car owner’s commands, you need to re-enable the autostart function. This can be done in 2 ways: by temperature and by time. In the first case, this is done in the following way:

1. On the control panel, press and hold the star key for several seconds.
2. After this, wait for a single sound signal from the key fob and move on to the next stage of setup.
3. If everything is done correctly, you will see a flashing icon at the bottom left of the display.
4. At the same time, press the button with an asterisk and go to the settings menu.
5. There they look for the thermometer icon and click on it.
6. After this, the display will show the engine temperature at which autostart will occur.

Enabling autostart by time on Starline A91, A92, A93, A94, A9, B9 and other popular models is as easy as by temperature. To do this, you need to perform several standard operations.

Instructions for activating the function:

1. First of all, press and hold the star button for 8 seconds.
2. After the specified time, the control panel will beep.
3. After that, wait another 8 seconds until the second beep.
4. Then release the button and look at the display. A flashing icon should appear on the left.
5. Click on the star key again and move through the menu to the item with the image of a fan.
6. Turn on the selected function and wait for a confirmation signal from the key fob.
7. After about 10 seconds, another beep will sound, which will notify the car owner that the autostart function setup has been completed.

The alarm locks the engine

VALET mode The Valet button switch is used to enable the Valet service mode (i.e., temporarily disable the security functions of the system) if, for example, you need to leave the car at a service station.
At the same time, you will be able to control the service functions of the system (for example, remotely unlock the car doors) and turn on the remote “Panic” mode. To enable Valet mode:

Once in the vehicle, turn the ignition on and off. Within 15 seconds, press and hold the Valet switch for 2 seconds. The siren will emit 1 short signal and the LED will start to light continuously, indicating that the system is in Valet mode. Note: When the system is in Valet mode, each time the ignition is turned off, the siren will sound 2 short warning signals.

To turn off Valet mode:

Once in the vehicle, turn the ignition on and off. Within 15 seconds, press and release the Valet switch once. The siren will give 2 short beeps and the system LED will go out.

Attention! Don't forget to turn off Valet mode. This guarantees the constant protection of your car.

Emergency system shutdown This system can be disarmed without using the transmitter (emergency system shutdown procedure). This is necessary if, for example, the transmitter is lost, faulty, or if the transmitter batteries are low.

Emergency shutdown of the system without the help of a transmitter:

Open the door with the key (the system will operate, the siren will turn on, the direction indicators, interior lighting, etc. will start flashing) Turn on the ignition. Within 15 seconds, press and release the Valet button switch. The alarm mode will turn off, the system LED will go out, and you can start the car.

ATTENTION: Please note that this will not put the system in Valet mode. This means that if the passive arming function is enabled, then after the next time the ignition is turned off and all doors, hood and trunk of the car are closed, a 30-second countdown will begin before passive arming.

A good alarm system is a reliable protector against car theft. At the same time, we cannot talk about the car being 100% protected from theft and disassembly. Any alarm system, even a bank alarm, can be hacked. Another question is that this will take time. The better the alarm, the longer the time and complexity of hacking. Attackers involuntarily raise the question of the advisability of hacking a car with a good alarm system, if there is an option to choose a simpler “job”.

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Like all electronic devices, car alarms can malfunction over time, or as it is now fashionable to say, “glitch.” At the same time, it either does not set the car alarm, or it goes off arbitrarily, or, even worse, it blocks the authorized (from the original key fob, tag or other programmed mode) disarming, and blocks the engine from starting. What to do in this case?

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Key fob failure

If after pressing the remote control button the car does not start automatically, the problem should be looked for in the operation of the key fob. In order to be sure that the control element is broken, you must try to turn on the engine from your phone. If the security system is working properly, you need to repair the key fob.

The main causes of failure and ways to eliminate them:

1. My battery is almost done. In this case, it is enough to replace the discharged power supply with a new one and check the operation of the device. Some alarm models (for example, StarLine B9) have a special sensor on the control panel that lights up when the battery is low.
2. Damage to the device. This may occur as a result of a fall on a hard surface or moisture entering the case. In this case, the car owner will have to disassemble the key fob and try to repair it with his own hands.
3. Hardware error. With such a problem, it will be difficult to carry out repairs yourself. For this, you need to carry out detailed diagnostics and re-flash the device (if the check shows that any software element is faulty).

The car does not start from autostart

1. Weather. Most often, the reason why a car cannot start from autostart is frost (starting from -15 and below, the car does not start well). In sub-zero temperatures, when, after pressing the autostart button on the alarm key fob, the starter turns, but the engine does not start, the battery discharges quite quickly, so it is recommended to buy powerful batteries, for example, BATTERY BEAST or BEAST ASIA. And cars with diesel engines are even more difficult to start remotely, so many people use Webasto to heat the internal combustion engine. In the warm season or in winter in a warm garage, there are practically no problems with starting the internal combustion engine.
2. Problems in the power supply circuit. It may also be that the starter turns well (if the starter does not work well, the problem may be in the bendix), but the engine does not react at all, does not even “sneeze”. The problem in this case may be the fuel not entering the injector. It is necessary to identify the cause by checking the fuel supply hose, then the fuel pump, then the fine filter. If the fuel used is not clean, most likely the filter is clogged. If the engine starts and immediately stalls, then the reason is in the injector itself. It is necessary to clean its channels with a special cleaning fluid. As for diesel cars, the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) often fails. With such a breakdown, you need an experienced mechanic; not everyone can fix it with their own hands.
3. The reason is the formation of a poor-quality mixture. In this case, as a rule, after pressing the autostart key on the remote control, the engine starts and stalls. The reason why the mixture supplied to the combustion chambers is of poor quality is a heavily contaminated air filter. When the filter is clogged, almost no air enters the cylinders. If it does not enter at all, then the internal combustion engine does not start; if it enters the combustion chambers slightly, it starts and stalls. It could also be a clogged throttle valve. If the damper is jammed, then, accordingly, the flow of the fuel mixture into the combustion chambers of the cylinders will be impossible. The next reason is the idle air valve not working. In this case, the Check button on the panel device should light up. The sensor needs to be replaced.
4. The problem is with the alarm. Automatic start is included in the alarm device.
   If there are problems with the signaling, then there will be problems with the remote start of the internal combustion engine. Usually, in this case, the reason is the closure of the external circuit. The reason for this phenomenon is frequent climate changes, when the car is parked for a long time, due to temperature changes, condensation appears on the contacts. If the doors do not open the first time, and if the doors open immediately, they close immediately - this is a short circuit. It's rare, but it happens - the car alarm control unit has failed. In this case, none of the alarm functions work. You should start checking by replacing the alarm fuse, as this is easy to do.
5. It starts poorly with low engine compression. As a rule, not all cylinders have low compression, so the car engine starts, but stalls or does not work stably and jerks when driving. In this case, it is necessary to measure the pressure in all cylinders. If it shows “0”, then the valve is burnt out or the piston is broken. Usually the valve burns out.

Have you noticed that some cars have a bucket or two hanging on the back of them? So, why do they hang a bucket on the back of the car?

This video shows why the auto-start of the Starline A91 alarm does not work. It turns out that after installing the auto-start, if you open the door after that, the car will not start automatically.

Wiring damage

This problem is considered one of the most common. In such a situation, it will be extremely difficult to carry out repairs, because... It will be necessary to carry out lengthy diagnostics using special equipment and look for the location of the damage.

Main causes of failure:

• use of a security system for a long period;
• sudden changes in temperature;
• moisture getting on the wiring (leads to the formation of oxidation at the contact points);
• fuse failure;
• connecting an additional high-power device;
• attempted theft of a vehicle.

If the wiring is damaged, the engine will not start even if the button on the key fob is pressed multiple times. At the same time, the control panel itself is in working condition.

How to fix the problem:

1. Using a multimeter, check each wire connected to the microprocessor unit.
2. If damage is discovered, it is repaired. To do this, solder the broken contacts or completely replace the cable with a new one.
3. After this, the system functionality is checked. If the problem is not resolved, continue searching for other damage.

Errors when reading the temperature sensor

When trying to check the engine temperature from the key fob, an HI error (read as “n1”) may appear. This indicates that the sensor is faulty and Starline considers the temperature too high (from English HIGH). Since the engine temperature sensor is a thermistor, the resistance of which is proportional to temperature, then most likely this resistance has increased due to oxidation of the twists or has become infinite (broken wires). The sensor itself breaks down much less often.

Similarly, the LO (LoC) error is associated with the temperature sensor. It indicates that the temperature is too low - that is, physically low resistance at the input of the temperature sensor (short circuit in the wires).

On older StarLine models (for example, A91), the engine temperature sensor was connected parallel to the hood limit switch. Often, installers saved time by not extending an additional wire from the sensor to the central alarm unit, but by connecting it to the limit switch wire directly under the hood. This leads to incorrect temperature recognition: the sensor must be connected as close as possible to the central unit connector. Water at the very end of the hood also creates problems (condensation, consequences of car washing). Subsequently, engineers abandoned the joint connection of the sensor with the limit switch, and this problem disappeared.

Conflict with standard immobilizer

If such a situation arises, experts recommend installing a special device - a crawler. It is easy to install, so even a novice car enthusiast can handle this job.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. A spare key with a mark is installed in the processor module.
2. It is securely fixed to avoid unwanted movements.
3. The housing is closed and the installation of the main module begins. In most cases, it is located behind the center console, protecting it from mechanical stress and the activities of a potential thief.
4. After this, the positive power output is connected to a circuit in which there is a voltage of 12 V. To perform this work, it may be necessary to disassemble the cladding.
5. The negative input is connected to the output of the remote starting system of the device that turns the starter.
6. The remaining contact is connected to the antenna adapter installed in close proximity to the lock.

Other reasons

In addition to the reasons listed, there are a large number of other factors that negatively affect the operation of the device and disable the autorun function. All of them are typical for one or another Starline model, so it is not recommended to neglect them.

Possible causes of the malfunction:

1. The control module does not see the mark on the electronic key. This problem often occurs due to a dead battery or a software glitch. It leads to the fact that after starting the engine runs for a few seconds, and then turns off on its own. A complete check of the security system and repair of the identified problem will help correct the situation.
2. An error was made when connecting the wires that control the operation of the vehicle engine. In StarLine A91, this work is performed by one of the cables of the main connector. It should be connected to the generator indicator light or tachometer. If you attach the wire incorrectly, the engine will not start, but the engine start icon will be displayed on the key fob display.
3. Failure of the safety device on the circuit section between the battery and the microprocessor module. In this case, the car alarm will give a triple light signal, indicating low voltage in the network. The problem can be fixed only after a full diagnosis and visual inspection of the connectors. In most cases, it will be enough to replace the oxidized contacts with new ones or use wires of a smaller cross-section.

In cold weather, the StarLine A91 car alarm becomes an indispensable assistant for every vehicle owner. However, the influence of various factors can lead to breakdown of the useful engine autostart function. In this case, you need to correctly determine the cause of the malfunction and try to eliminate it yourself.

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When autostarting, the car starts and stalls

Typically, this symptom of a malfunction indicates problems with the immobilizer. In most car brands, the standard immobilizer allows you to start the engine. After starting, the engine runs for a few seconds, then stalls. When installing systems with auto start, in which the engine must be started without the presence of the driver in the vehicle interior (and the chip key, respectively), immobilizer bypassers are used.

Car alarms with auto start use the following methods to bypass the immobilizer:

• key;
• keyless.

1. The key crawler represents an additional transponder, which is installed discreetly in the vehicle interior. It represents an additional pumping loop into which a spare key or chip is installed. The transponder is inductively or electrically connected to the standard vehicle immobilizer pumping loop, which is installed in the area of ​​the ignition switch.

If there are violations in the transponder circuit, or the chip key has left the search zone, the key crawler will not work. The engine will start but then stall.

2. A keyless immobilizer bypass is more reliable than a key one. Its operation is configured by programming modes when connecting the autostart system.

A software failure in the system can make changes to the operating algorithm, and the immobilizer system will begin to block engine operation. Operation can be restored by repeated reprogramming.

In some cars, such as BMW, the immobilizer does not allow the starter to turn if the engine is started unauthorized.

Thus, in these cars, if the autostart turns the starter, but the engine does not start, the immobilizer has nothing to do with it.

The car does not start from autostart, reasons not related to the immobilizer

The operation of autostart in car alarms is configured according to various parameters. For example, in Starline alarm systems, autostart can be performed:

• by time;
• after a certain period according to a timer;
• by engine temperature;
• on command from the key fob remote control.

The reason that the car does not start with Starline autostart may be due to a failure of the engine temperature sensor or a malfunction of the key fob. To eliminate the problem, it is necessary to monitor the parameters of temperature sensors and the performance of the key fob. In some cases, it is necessary to replace the battery in the LCD key fob and reprogram it.

The weak point in the automatic start of Sherkhan 5 alarms is the start based on temperature parameters and the voltage level in the on-board network. To accurately determine the reasons for the autostart failure, you can try using it to start the engine when the ignition key is in close proximity to the ignition switch.

In most cars, the chip is installed at the bottom of the key. It must be placed as close as possible to the rim of the ignition switch; it can be inserted into the lock without turning it.

Electrical problems

In a situation where the car stops starting from autostart, the problem may be in the electrical equipment.

The following may prevent the engine from starting:

1. Blocking via car alarm circuits. To block unauthorized engine starting, a break is used in the circuits of the main vehicle systems:

• fuel pump;
• ignition system;
• fuel injection system;
• power supply to the engine control unit;
• automatic transmission lock.

In cars with automatic and manual transmissions, autostart can be disrupted for a simple reason: the shift lever is in a position that blocks the engine from starting.

To protect against unauthorized starting, many auto electricians block the operation of the fuel pump, ignition system, fuel injection, and engine control unit. The blocking relays may be faulty, preventing the engine from starting.

To monitor possible errors, you can perform computer diagnostics. It should show the errors accumulated in previous cycles. Diagnostic results can help determine the cause of startup failures.

2. CAN bus communication error. The CAN bus is designed for local communication between control units of various systems: engine, ABS, body. Many car alarms use this bus to communicate with vehicle systems, including during engine starting.

If communication via the CAN bus is disrupted, the car alarm becomes “blind”, unable to control standard modes and auto start.

The bus can be checked using a multimeter in resistance mode. The usual resistance of the operating bus on the connector side is several tens of ohms.

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3. Failure of fuses, relays in the car alarm and car power supply circuits. Repair of any system associated with electrical equipment should begin with checking all fuses responsible for specific units. It is also necessary to check the functionality of the relays, their contacts and connectors.

Car alarms with auto start are often installed using a hinged method. Additional relays and fuses “dangle” under the dashboard; the blocks, at best, are secured with plastic clamps. Contacts may be disrupted by inadvertent movement of the left knee.

Engine starting features

Depending on the type and model of the engine, autostart should be adjusted to its characteristics.

In diesel internal combustion engines, problems arise in winter. At critically low temperatures, high-quality heating of the glow plugs is required.

If one or more glow plugs are faulty, autostart failure is likely due to insufficient heating and low compression.

You should check the operation of the spark plugs and adjust the preheating time before starting the engine. It is necessary to fill in winter fuel with a lower level of waxing to facilitate autostart.

Gasoline engines require a certain amount of time to pump gasoline before starting. Considering the lower performance of the fuel pump at low temperatures, it is necessary to set the optimal mode by programming options and autostart parameters.

When operating a car with automatic start, it is necessary that the battery is in good condition.

A weak battery that has difficulty starting the engine manually cannot provide stable autostart.

Autostart is a convenient option, especially in the cold season. When problems with stable engine starting first appear, the causes of the malfunction should be identified and eliminated.