If you have a remote starter for your car, you may enjoy the convenience of being able to start the car from your house and let the vehicle warm up. However, one morning you may find that you cannot start your car no matter how many times you hit the button. If so, use the following troubleshooting guide to find the issue with your car's remote starter.

Check the LED Light on the Remote

The first thing you should do when trying to find the problem with your remote start is to check the LED light on the remote itself. Usually, when you hit the button to turn on your car, the light flashes brightly and stays on for about a second.

However, if the light is dim, flashes quickly, or does not turn on at all, the problem may be a dying or dead battery. If this is the case, consult your owner's manual to ensure you get the right replacement battery and know how to switch it out.

Inspect the Receiver in Your Car

If the LED light is lighting up as it should, or you changed the battery with no results, the next step is to inspect the receiver in your car. It is typically located in the center of your dashboard.

Inspect the receiver first to see if there is a grimy film on the surface that could be interfering with the signal. If so, gently wipe the sensor with a damp cloth.

If this does not work, look to see if there are any detached wires sticking up around the receiver. If so, you will need a professional to reattach them to ensure it is done properly so as not to short out the system.

See If Your Trunk Is Open

If the receiver seems to be operational, another place you can check is your trunk. As a safety feature, your remote will not start the car if the trunk is opened or ajar. This feature keeps you from driving away and having the trunk fly open and spill its contents all over the road.

Open your trunk, then firmly shut it again. If this does not help, you may have a problem with the fuse or electrical system that requires professional attention.

After going through the above guide, you may still not be able to find the problem with your remote starter. If so, take your vehicle to an auto shop that can inspect the remote starter, find the problem, and either fix or replace any broken components.