'99 Grand Am Remote Start - Transmitter Issues

[kevinh1979]

I recently purchased and installed a Carvox CX-601 remote start system in a 1999 Grand Am. From researching the net AFTER my purchase, I realized that this may not be the best system...lesson learned. Nonetheless, I have moved on but do have two issues I'd like opinions on:

1) One of the transmitters will not consistently activate the LED on the transmitter or subsequently send the signal to start the vehicle when I press the two buttons to do so. However, each of the buttons independently work if pressed separately. When I do get the LED to come on, the signal will transmit and the car will start. I have already changed the battery in this transmitter as it was dead after little use. However, that did not solve the RS problem. Lock, unlock, and trunk release work with no problem.

2) The other problem is that intermittenly the car (after successful RS from transmitter), will not kill engine turning the key to off after turning key to on. The brake will not kill engine either. The only thing that will kill engine is the transmitter when I can eventually get it to send the signal.

[shorod]

For your first concern, that sounds like a transmitter issue. Even if they are 2-way remotes, if the LED is not activating, the problem is the remote.

For the second concern, it sounds like either the relay is sticking or the relay is being commanded to stay engaged. What is the timeout setting for the start system? This is the setting that dictates how long the car will run unless you start the car. Often this timeout is overridden by the door opening, the hood opening, the brake pedal being depressed, or the key being turned to the Run position. I'd suspect that the some settings are not set properly (active high versus active low, bypassed, etc.) or you have a faulty relay.

-Rod

[kevinh1979]

Thanks for your response. I agree with your comment on the remotes, but one detail I left out in my initial problem statement is that I'm having the same problem with both remotes. Still could be a remote issue, but it's odd that it would be with both.

The second issue could be a relay sticking, however, I am able to kill the engine with the brake until I put the key into the ignition switch and turn it to "on". At that point, I have to wait for the pre-set 10 minute setting or play with the transmitter long enough to stop it with that.

Your comment on settings (active high vs active low / bypassed) may be valid. I have changed any setting I can possibly get my hands on to several different configurations with no luck. Currently, I am back to default. Is your active high vs. active low comment basically what I've already done or is that something else?

[shorod]

On the remotes, what happens if you press the first button just slightly prior to pressing the second button? Does the LED turn off doing that? If so, I'd suspect maybe you are not pressing both buttons at exactly the same time. Some systems are very sensitive to pressing both buttons at exactly the same moment to activate the 3rd channel.

Without having a copy of the installation manual that explains the settings and which wires to use for a grounding input versus a positive input, I really can't offer detailed info on that. Did you perform the install or pay someone to do it? Did it ever work correctly?

-Rod

[kevinh1979]

You're on the right track with the order of pressing the buttons. The instructions state to press the first button 0.5 sec prior to the second button. It takes several tries but eventually it will illuminate the LED and then send signal and then start car. I have tried every conceivable way of pressing the two buttons...same time...0.5 sec, 1.0 sec...etc.

It has seemed to have gotten worse since the the first day of install. For the first day and a 1/2 or so, I do not recall having this problem. Also, one of the remotes is worse than the other. For example, the remote that is on my wife's set of keys only took me pressing both buttons a three x's to activate RS. Still waiting for a response from Carvox and my seller...not holding my breath.

[Immaraia]

hello!

i have the very same system & the remotes are not working. were you able to get the transmitters to work? were you able to get in to contact with carvox or the seller on ebay thats where i purchased mines but he is not answering my emails. any advice will help.