Engine & Gearbox

Here we’re going to take a look at the keyless start system in the car. This system can stop working prematurely, and this is a known fault, especially in the 2016 – 2017 car models. If you are experiencing problems with your car not starting using the engine start/stop button, this is because you have probably lost the use of your keyless start system.

Upon failure of this system, when you press down on the “ENGINE START/STOP” button to start your engine, nothing will happen, and an error message will pop up telling you that there has been a keyless start system problem. This article will explain the possible causes of a keyless start system problem and how to resolve it.

What Is The Meaning Of The Keyless Start System Problem?

If your car has this problem, it could be because your Key fob battery is dead. And needs a replacement, a malfunctioning start system sensor, or the keyless start system fuse is burned out.

What Are The Causes Of The Keyless Start Problem?

A keyless start system can fail for many reasons. The causes can range from some poor coding practices to inconsiderate end-users performing various tasks in an incorrect order.

1. Faulty Key Fob Battery

The car key fob is a necessary piece in the keyless entry/start system. It needs to have enough power to send signals to your car’s keyless start system to start the engine. Unfortunately, if the battery in the key fob dies, then your car will not be able to receive these signals. Also, if your battery no longer supplies enough voltage for the system to work properly, it will cause the signals to be weak. The ignition sensor will not detect a weak signal, so the engine won’t start. A keyless start system relies on an electronic signal to operate.

2. Malfunctioning System’s Sensor

As you probably already know, your car sensor receives signals from a key fob and instructs the control unit. There are 2 probable reasons for a sensor malfunction. First, some accidents can cause them to malfunction, or they may get buried in dirt and not be able to detect any fob signals.

3. Problems With The Brake

As earlier mentioned, the push-button start system only works after pressing the car’s brake pedal. However, sometimes you may find it hard to apply reasonable force when pressing the button.

4. Software Issues

Does your vehicle’s keyless start system stop working when you try to push the button many times? It may be because of a software glitch. If a software glitch caused the keyless start system problem.

5. The Starter Is Bad

If your push-button starter keeps coming on and off, it’s probably a problem with the starter. To identify whether or not the keyless ignition system is to blame, you can try jump-starting it directly.

If the push button still doesn’t start the engine, there’s a good chance one of the starter’s components is faulty. Many parts inside starters cause them to break down. For example, the ignition switch might stop transferring power effectively when it wears out, causing the starter to have less contact.

6. Faulty Car Battery

Your keyless start system needs sufficient voltage to work. It may not work if the battery powering it is faulty. Fortunately, you can use a voltmeter to check if it’s at a decent enough level by checking your battery’s voltage.

If it’s below 12V, you’ve got a bad battery, and you should have it replaced immediately to make sure that other parts of your engine running on electricity aren’t affected negatively.

7. Faulty Wires

Suppose you experience a keyless start system problem whenever you push the start button, and the engine doesn’t crank. Usually, this occurs because the wires have worn out over time, causing reduced voltage and thus affecting the system.

8. The Keyless Start System Fuse Is Blown

The keyless start system utilizes voltage to function, so it’s fitted with a wire fuse to protect the electronic ignition system. However, any time the electronic ignition system receives excessive voltage, the wire fuse will blow up in order to protect it.

9. Cold Weather

In cold weather, the car may not start. It does this because it needs more voltage for everything to work. This is because cold temperatures slow down chemical reactions in your battery and make it hold less power than normal, since the keyless ignition system requires a certain amount of voltage, you might find that you cannot use it when the weather is cold.

How To Fix The Keyless Start Problem?

Here are some steps to fix the keyless start problem in your car:

Step 1:-

Suppose this issue is mainly occurring in 2016-17 Honda Pilots before taking your vehicles to a mechanic for proper diagnosis and repair.

In that case, it’s important to confirm whether your specific vehicle comes under warranty for keyless start security systems. If your model does fall within a warranty period or extended warranty, you should contact the manufacturer for assistance in fixing the issue.

Step 2:-

When your car is out of warranty, you must troubleshoot errors occurring by yourself or with the help of a mechanic. This can be most commonly caused by a faulty START/STOP switch that needs replacing.

Step 3:-

The replacement procedure is done with a Phillips screwdriver and requires removing the glovebox, starter assembly, and steering column assembly.

Step 4:-

Take off the dashboard cover on the passenger’s side. The dashboard trim panel on the passenger’s dashboard must be removed. Now, unplug the connector after you have taken down the dashboard center panel.

Step 5:-

To access the screws for the middle trim on the dashboard center, pull back the right side of the driver’s lower dashboard cover and remove the humidity and temperature sensors.

Step 6:-

You need to unscrew the screws that hold the dashboard center middle trim, then take it out.

Step 7:-

Remove the ENGINE START/STOP switch assembly from the center middle trim on the dashboard. Remember the harness connectors should be disconnected.

Step 8:-

Now, you need to install a new ENGINE START/STOP switch assembly. All parts that were removed should be reinstalled in a reversed order. Use a diagnostic system to clear all DTCs.

Step 9:-

You need to verify that the engine start/stop switch now works and the error message on the dashboard has completely disappeared.

Therefore, these are some steps through which you can easily fix the keyless start system problem.

FAQs:-

1. Can I Make My Car Keyless Start?

Are you about to get seafoam for your engine and are wondering if seafoam is good for your engine? are you searching for some possible seafoam negative effects and how you can use it properly to avoid such effects? If you are in this situation, you are in the right place. This article contains every information you have to know about using seafoam for your engine, including how to use it, seafoam negative effects, and answers to other possible questions you might have about seafoam.

Seafoam is one of the best ways to keep your engine clean, free of dirt, and break up sludge. However, it comes with some adverse effects that most people are unaware of. You will get to know more about that as you read on. There has been a back and forth debate if seafoam is best and safe for vehicles; many people are optimistic about seafoam while others completely disagree. Over the years, there have been reports of bad reviews and problems caused by seafoam when the correct amount is used, when it is little and when in excess. These seafoam’s negative effects have troubled most people and have made them skeptical about using seafoam. Here are some of the negative effects of seafoam.

What Is Seafoam?

The seafoam is used to clean your vehicle’s engine parts to ensure no clogging or blockage within the path. It is stored in a bottle or aerosol can, and when it is applied, it works through the fuel injector and carburetor flushing out unwanted deposits from the pathway, chamber areas, intake valve, and pistons.

The manufacturer of seafoam products claims that it can treat and lubricate the upper cylinder and appropriately maintain fuel consumption in the engine. Also, Conventional and synthetic motor oils can work with seafoam.

What Are The Seafoam Negative Effects?

There are a good number of reported adverse effects of seafoam. Therefore we will be looking at about five such adverse effects. Below are some of the impacts.

1. It Can Thin Out Your Oil

This is one of the most significant seafoam negative effects. Seafoam can thin out your oil, and it happens to be one of the most frequent effects. Remember, oil is an essential part of your car engine, and when there is not much oil or low-quality oil, the engine will become faulty due to poor lubrication and high friction.

When your car oil becomes thinner than usual, the required viscosity and consistency will drop, and you will need to change the oil immediately or risk the chance of killing your car engine. Seafoam product reduces the quality of your car oil by making it thin out, reducing its lubrication effects, and risking your car for potential damage.

2. It May Create More Sludge

You may find it difficult to believe that what was made to remove sludge from a vehicle does the opposite by creating more sludge. It isn’t easy to believe, but sadly it’s the truth. Some users have noticed an increase in sludge in their engines after using seafoam. This is one of the seafoam negative effects on some vehicles.

Too much sludge creates more buildup and raises the car engine temperature, resulting in overheating of the car. Don’t ever allow your vehicle to get to the point of overheating, which can cause a total shutdown of the engine.  The best thing to do is change the oil and put it in a new one to get rid of the sludge.

3. It May Damage The O2 Sensor

If your O2 sensor is failing or about to fail, it is believed that seafoam can cause the failure to happen in a shorter time. This is because Seafoam quickens the defect of the O2 sensors. You will have no choice but to get a replacement.

5. It May Hurt Your Gas Mileage

Another seafoam negative effect is the poor gas mileage. When you use Seafoam, you may lose gas mileage. Also, If you add excess seafoam, your car’s fuel line may get clogged.

6. Not Suitable For Direct Injection Engines

It is not advisable to apply seafoam to engines with direct injectors. Direct injection engines are not compatible with seafoam; they can cause debris, dirt, and sludge to lose, creating new problems for the car engine. The buildup will cause a severe clogging of the injector, generating a series of problems in the car engine, which you have to spend thousands of dollars to repair.

Never apply seafoam while cleaning your car’s engine; else, you will be signing up for damages to your car engine, especially if your vehicle has a direct injector engine inside and is powered by diesel.

When Does Seafoam Not Work With Some Engines?

Seafoam is harmful and not advisable to some car engines, especially old model car engines. This is because some of the engine parts like the spark plug and O2 sensor will be prone to damage or become faulty when they get contacted with seafoam. If the car has fuel injection systems, then seafoam won’t work in such an engine.

Some reports claim that seafoam does nothing but the opposite of what it should have done in old and new engines. Seafoam is used for removing sludge and dirt or similar unwanted things from the car engine. Still, some cars do the opposite after seafoam has been applied by building up more sludge, causing the engine to overwork, and creating overheating in the machine.

How Can Excess Seafoam Affect Your Engine?

One of the seafoam negative effects, if used in excess will be the oil inside will get affected due to the sludge buildup in the engine. The oil will thin out, causing lubricating difficulties and affecting the engine components that need to be lubricated for effective operation because friction will become high in the engine.

Your vehicle vacuum may get clogged when you use too much seafoam. Not to mention the sludge buildup, the clog can be very much as well, and there will be plenty of unwanted things such as debris and dirt inside the car engine. This will generate lots of problems in your car engine and lead to permanent damage or even death of the engine.

Overheating has been known as the most frequent reason why car engine dies. A solution to the seafoam problem is to remove the entire oil on the car engine and replace it with a new one; this way, the engine will feel reenergized, and proper lubrication will be achieved.

Is Seafoam Effective Or Not?

Seafoam products have been adverse effects on car engines, although this is subject to several factors. If your engine has a specific type of configuration, it won’t work; for example, it won’t work on direct injection engines. On the other hand, modern cars with advanced engines can adopt the seafoam product without much effect. New model cars are designed so that they don’t produce so many carbon deposits, unlike the older ones; this proves that old model car engines are prone to clogging problems and other related problems, which can lead to the engine’s death.

Hence, seafoam is not advisable for older cars with old engine models; if you insist on using seafoam on old engines, you will create more problems and harm your car engine. Using gas with various detergents will be better for old car engines than seafoam. A 4-stroke water-cooled engine will have a problem when you apply a seafoam to it. So don’t use much seafoam on it because if you do, it will create lots of damage to the engine rather than solving a problem you are better off with nitrogen base cleaners or a similar alternative than seafoam product.

You must have been overwhelmed by the adverse effects of seafoam products, but just like what is terrible for Mr. A may be suitable for Mr. B, some car owners have positive reviews about seafoam products. The product could flush out the dirt, debris, and sludge in their car engines, making the engine function like a new one and can be observed when they start the car engine.

How To Add Seafoam To Your Engine

The primary reason why most engines develop problems after adding seafoam is that the proper way of adding the product was not followed. So then, what is the right way of adding seafoam products?

Below are the proper steps to follow when adding a seafoam product.

Steps:

1. Add seafoam product only between 2,000-3,000 miles intervals of your car run. Adding within these intervals will help eliminate those adverse effects and provide the best out of the seafoam product.
2. The Seafoam is need to be poured into the fuel tank directly. Be careful while you pour it into the tank and be calculative.

Note: Don’t ever pour seafoam together with the car oil; else, the oil will become thin, won’t be able to lubricate engine parts, and will cause severe damage.

Frequently Asked Questions:-

Have you ever wondered where is the starter located in your car? A starter relay sits between the battery and the starter motor, transmitting power. Without a properly working starter relay and motor, you won’t be able to start your vehicle and may need a tow.

What Is The Starter In Your Car?

The starter is a small motor, powered by a battery. It gets the engine of your car running. The starter has a small starting gear that, when you turn the key or press the engine start button, engages the engine’s flywheel. Then it delivers power, getting the engine rotating. This allows it to suck air and fuel into the cylinders and begin the combustion process that allows it to run on its own.

Where Is The Starter Located In The Car?

Your starter can usually be found on the passenger’s side (if RWD) of the engine, just below the exhaust manifold. Or if it is FWD, check on the driver’s side above the transmission or under the exhaust manifold. They can also be located just under the intake manifold on some vehicles.

What Causes The Starter Problems In The Car?

A variety of problems can lead to a bad starter, including:

1. Loose wiring to and from the starter
2. Dirty or corroded connections at the starter
3. Battery corrosion
4. Damaged or worn-out parts in the starter system
5. Oil leaks
6. Bad relay or fuse

What Are The Common Bad Starter Symptoms?

We have discussed what is the starter, where is the starter located in the car and its causes, now let’s look at its bad starter symptoms:

1. Clicking Noise:-

One of the symptoms of a bad starter is a clicking noise when you turn the key or push the start button. However, a starter can die without making any sound at all, or it may announce its impending death with a whirring and grinding noise.

2. You’ve Got Lights But No Action:-

If you try to start the engine only to find that the dashboard lights up, but the engine doesn’t power up, you might have a problem with the starter.

3. Your Engine Won’t Crank:-

Is your engine not revving up, even after attempting a jumpstart? At this point, it’s time to call roadside assistance and get your car to the nearest auto care.

4. Smoke Is Coming From Your Car:-

The starter is part of your car’s electrical system and is subject to blown fuses and short circuits. When you’ve been desperately attempting to start your car, the starter can overheat making electrical issues and the accompanying smoke more likely. If you see or smell smoke, call for help rather than turning the key harder, again!

5. Oil Has Soaked The Starter:-

If you pop the hood only to find that your starter is drenched in engine oil, your bad starter might be a symptom of another problem an oil leak. Unfortunately, what starts out as a few drops of oil can slowly and sometimes unnoticeably turn into an expensive problem, so keep an eye out for oil leaks to avoid starter issues of this nature.

Therefore, if you’re wondering where is the starter located, what are its causes, and what are its bad starter symptoms just refer to the above-mentioned information.

How Do You Troubleshoot Starter Problems?

Assuming you’ve already tried to start and jumpstart your car, try one of the following troubleshooting tips.

Step 1:- Check The Hood

Check the battery and battery cables to see whether everything’s in working order. A weak or dead battery, or even faulty battery cables, could be causing the problems with your car, not the starter.

Step 2:- Tap The Starter

Try lightly tapping the starter a few times with a hard object, making sure not to pound it. In some cases, this gentle tapping can help power it back up, since you’ll be tapping the electrical components back in contact with each other.

Step 3:- Adjust The Transmission

Let’s say your car’s automatic transmission is in the “park” setting but the car won’t start. If that’s the case, try starting the car in “neutral.” If it starts in “neutral,” there may be a technical glitch that’s preventing the car from starting in “park,” like a faulty neutral safety switch.

Step 4:- Check The Fuel Gauge

The empty gas tank can surely be the reason why your car isn’t starting!

Many times, the quick fix for a bad starter is tapping it. Jumpstarting your car can get it on the road, at least temporarily, but then you’ll want to get the problem checked out by a qualified technician. If a jumpstart or tap doesn’t do the trick, you’ll most likely need to get the car towed and have the starter repaired or replaced.

Conclusion:-

We hope the above-mentioned information for your question about where is the starter located in the car will be helpful to all the readers. If anybody’s doubts persist feel free to comment in the comment section below. We’ll try to solve your doubts as soon as possible.