Questions & Réponses

Remote start question...

Hello to all. 

Sorry for the long post but im trying to be as much descriptive as possible.
I would like your comments and advise in the following issue that I had when installing a remote starter on my car. Car unexpectedly died after testing the remote starter. several times. 

Some background:
I have a 2015 Focus SE automatic. It barely has 3000 miles. 
I purchased a Fortin EVO All bypass unit with a CrimeStopper LC1 remote starter. It comes with 2 additional remote controls and All the system came preprogrammed. I could start the car with my OEM keys (by pressing the lock button 3 times) or with the additional key fobs. 

Installation process:
I went ahead and removed the bottom cover on the steering wheel and disconnected both start harnesses (main and immobilizer). 
I then connected the new T-harness. 2 plugs back to the start cylinder and 2 more to the factory car harness. 
I also tapped the CAN high and low and got everything ready for connecting the remote starter unit. 

When plugging everything in to the EVO ALL, I had no issues. I programmed the oem keys on the Fortin unit and finished without any issues. 

I tested the remote starter several times and worked perfectly with both oem keys and the extra long range remotes. 

I finished up by organizing everything inside the console and routing the cables. I was very careful by not disconnecting anything. 

I tested the system one more time and started to have problems. The car wouldnt remotely start.
I got inside and tried to start it normally with the key but no luck at all. The car tried to crank several times (around 3 or 4) every time i push the key to the ignition position but engine wouldn't start. It was a very rapid crank. 
All lights in main console were ok so I didn't think the battery was dead. Also, no errors were shown on the dash. 
Anyways, I tried to jump start the car with another car and this time, it started without issues. I left it charging for 15 minutes and disconnected the jump car. My car kept running. 
When I tried to shift from P to D on the car, just by pressing the stick unlock button, car died again and wont start by its own. Only jump-starting it again would help it start but the same issue when shifting to DRIVE would happen. 

I disconnected all the remote start harnesses and units and tried again. No luck 

I ended up having the car towed to the dealer. I didn't do any other troubleshooting procedure. 

Car Stayed at the dealer for an entire week and they finally got it up and running. They never told me specifically what happened but mentioned that a PCM fuse was "loose". Nothing else. I asked them about this fuse location and they told me that it's not accessible or on the fuse box . That doesn't make any sense. 

I have been trying to find the root cause of the failure because I want to re-install the remote starter again. The thing is that I'm afraid this would happen again and have no idea on how to fix it. This installation should be very easy and the fact that it did work initially on my car makes me think that there was something else that coincidentally happened during the installation. 

After all this, I would greatly appreciate your opinion on my issues. What should I do?


Thanks so much in advance.