Starline does not open or close doors using the key fob: main problems and solutions

03/03/2022 1,892 Alarms

Author: Victor

If the car does not open or close with the Starline alarm key fob, then the main reasons are damage to the structural elements of the anti-theft system or the presence of frequency interference in the area. To resolve problems, you need to make sure that the alarm and battery components are working, that the system is installed correctly, and also diagnose the communicator itself.

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Incorrect installation of the system

When installing an alarm system, problems with errors may arise as a result of violations of installation rules. Many specialized centers install the system in a matter of hours, limiting themselves to disassembling the dashboard, one of the thresholds and the glove compartment.

After installation, it is discovered that a web of wires has formed under the steering wheel. Wound with regular electrical tape. The main symptoms of improper installation are:

Interference during arming.
The presence of an inscription about blocking on the key fob when asking about the status. It should disappear immediately after arming the car, simultaneously with turning off the engine.

Interference at the frequency of the key fob, as a result of improper installation, prevents the door from opening, so you need to press the Valet button, open the car and turn off the system manually.

In this case, it is necessary to check the installation route of the communication module cable. It may not be laid separately, as required by the installation technique, but rather wrapped in a tangle of other alarm wires. A complete disassembly of the dashboard and review of the installation of the entire system will help to detect other problems.

Broken wire problem

In the transition between the body and the door, in the place where the rubber corrugation is located, the wire responsible for opening and closing the door may be broken. In the open state, due to the bending of the wiring, the contact can function normally, and when closed, the wire opens. You can check this problem as follows:

Leave the door open and latch it by inserting a screwdriver or any other rod into the lock latch at the end. The effect should be the same as when closing the door on a bracket mounted on the rack.
Press the limit switch in the door opening so that the electronic systems recognize the closing.
Security the car. All locks must be locked, and the alarm system will notify you of this with a single sound signal.
Press the key fob to open/disarm.

If the opening has taken place, then you need to pull the handle on the door to open the latch and slam it, repeating the whole process again. If the locks do not open after this, then the problem lies in the breakdown of the wire responsible for unlocking.

Problems with the central locking

The central locking is the most vulnerable component of the Starline alarm system when controlled from a key fob. The problem is most often detected when the car is idle for more than 1 minute in security mode. The solution is simple, but inconvenient - you need to use a standard key fob to open the doors, or quickly press the open/close buttons. At the same time, when the car automatically starts, disarming occurs in normal mode.

The problem is caused by the fact that the default key fob is not designed to work when the car is running. Arming and disarming occurs correctly, but the central locks do not work. Channel No. 4 is responsible for opening the central lock, allowing you to flexibly adjust the operation of the function. To solve the problem, you need to configure 2 pulses, one of which is responsible for waking up the bus, and the other for opening the doors. This helps to set the central locking to unlock with just one press of a button. However, this action does not apply to opening the central trunk lock.

Video about repairing the Starline remote control

The Blue Box Ufa channel in its video showed in detail the procedure for restoring the functionality of the communicator from the Starline alarm system.

The Starline alarm system is a reliable system that protects the car from theft, but at the same time, problems may arise with opening the doors using the key fob. They may be due to a simple decrease in battery charge or incorrect signal recognition by the system. But in some cases the situation is more serious and there are several ways to solve the problem.

Problem with opening doors after autostart

After using the autostart function, the Starline alarm system can block the automatic opening of doors even if the system is disarmed. In this situation, you have to use the key and open the car manually. The problem may be caused by incorrect connection to the central locking control circuits during installation. To solve, it is necessary to reconnect 2 alarm wires responsible for controlling the lock, provided that there are no problems with the circuits responsible for the operation of the seat belt. If the seat belt cover in the driver's seat is closed, the doors will not open.

It is also necessary to take into account the indicators on the key fob - unlocked/closed lock. This indication indicates arming or disarming, but not unlocking or locking the door.

None of the alarm systems, including Starline, have the ability to control the process of opening and closing the central lock and simultaneously display the operation on the lock screen.

Problems after replacing the battery

After replacing the battery, the doors may not lock, but the key fob will show a signal that the car has been successfully locked. In this case, you need to pay attention to the option of decoupling the key fob. In order to bind it back you need to:

Turn off the ignition and press the Valet service button 7 times.
Turn on the ignition. After this, the system will emit 7 signals, which indicates that the Starline key fob recording mode has been activated.
Simultaneously press buttons 2 and 3 and hold until a signal notifies you of successful recording.
Repeat the previous step for all recordable key fobs. Wherein. You must maintain an interval of 5 seconds. The success of the operation is confirmed by a signal.
Turn off the ignition. This will be followed by the parking lights flashing five times, indicating that the binding is complete.

The problem of unlocking the doors after replacing the battery may be due to other reasons. Firstly, the central locking connector to which the alarm unit is connected may be damaged. Secondly, the fuse on the alarm wire may burn out or the connection to the car's wiring may break.

Useful tips

In order for the door to open if there is a problem with the key fob, you must complete the emergency deactivation procedure. It involves introducing a special code value, but is sometimes performed without it. It all depends on the alarm model.

Interested in how to open a Starline car alarm without a key fob, the user needs to perform the following steps:

Open the door mechanically.
Activate the ignition circuit and leave it on for 20 seconds.
Press the “Jack” mode activation key three times.
Turn off the ignition. If these steps are performed correctly, the security mode will be deactivated.

You can also use this method:

Open the car door, start the engine and ignition.
Enter the first digit of the password using the “Valet” button.
Turn off and turn on the ignition again.
Carry out the second action with the remaining numbers.

Having dealt with the reasons for the key fob not working, all that remains is to find the best way to eliminate them.

The comfort of modern cars is impressive, and every year the quality of comfort options improves, and the list is replenished with more and more new features. However, along with additional amenities, car owners quite often get a lot of trouble from an overabundance of electronics and “overly smart” systems.

Against the backdrop of ultra-modern and newfangled systems, the central lock looks somewhat archaic and primitive, since this assistant appeared quite a long time ago and today its presence will no longer surprise anyone. However, despite the simplicity of its design, which against the backdrop of today’s electronics seems simply medieval, the central lock (CL) quite often fails, which causes a lot of trouble for its owner.

Over the many years of its existence, the central locking system has seriously evolved, as well as the central locking control system.

The central locking guards the vehicle's security and protects the vehicle from unauthorized entry into the interior by strangers from the outside. In addition, the central locking system is very convenient, since it allows you to close all the car doors at once, including the trunk, with one movement. Initially, closing was done by turning the key in the keyhole in one of the doors. However, over time, even this seemingly easy and simple movement was replaced by an even simpler one; now, in order to activate the central locking, the driver does not need to insert the key at all, moreover, he does not need to approach the car. Closing and opening of all doors is carried out using a special remote control, which activates and deactivates the central locking using a coded signal. This signal is encrypted and is recognized only by the control unit and the key; communication between the key and the unit is carried out “over the air”.

Problems with locking the car with the key fob

The Starline alarm system may have problems locking the car. At the same time, the warning system operates normally, but the doors remain open. The reason may be a simple disconnection of the plug under the driver's seat.

Therefore, the alarm system cannot recognize the signal from the limit switch about the door opening, which entails the automatic installation of the car in the security mode within 30 seconds. The fuses on the contacts in the alarm unit may also be damaged, preventing the signal from being sent. Diagnosis and solution to this problem can be achieved in the following ways:

Without removing the key from the ignition switch, you must open the driver's door and then remove the key. Then slam the door and put it in security mode.
Disconnect and reconnect the negative terminal from the battery.
Pull the handbrake, remove the key, open the driver's door, press the central locking button to close all other doors, close the driver's door and press the lock button on the key fob.

If after these manipulations the problem is not solved, then you need to contact the Starline service center for advice and a possible replacement of the system during warranty service.

What to do if the car does not open

This is the first question that arises for a motorist who finds himself in a similar situation. Depending on the model and make of the car, the year of manufacture of the vehicle, the availability of relevant experience, devices and tools, car owners most often use the following methods:

They call a mobile phone in speakerphone mode to a person who has a spare working key fob. At this time, your partner needs to bring the remote control as close as possible to the phone microphone and press the door open button. The radio signal is transmitted to the alarm disabling receiver, which checks for compliance with the unique code.
Using a wooden peg or other device, carefully bend the upper corner of the door frame near the counter. A piece of rope or thick fishing line with a loop tied in the center is inserted into the gap. After inserting the device into the interior, the loop is carefully placed over the door lock button, tightened and lifted up.
Removing window seals on older cars. As a rule, to open the car, the window seal is pulled out, and if that doesn’t help, the window itself is pulled out.
To gain access to the interior, a tennis ball, an awl and a knife are used. A small hole of about 15 mm is made in the ball, after which it is tightly applied to the lock cylinder and squeezed sharply. Often, the air flow lifts the blocker flag upward, opening the doors.
Using an additional power source (battery). Often the reason for the lack of communication between the key fob and the alarm system lies in a discharged battery. Having installed the source of electricity closer, using wires, connect the ground of the car to the minus of the battery and the starter power terminal to the plus.

If you try to open the car yourself, the car owner should remember that he performs all manipulations at his own peril and risk. Without the appropriate experience and tools, the likelihood of deformation of the frame and the door itself, pillars, cracks on car windows, dents on metal, scratches on the paintwork and other damage increases significantly. In more severe cases, expensive replacement or repair of a failed electronic control unit may be required.

Abnormal opening/closing of doors

In some cases, the alarm is triggered when the door is closed. In this case, the key fob may display information that the door is open. When you close it again and press the corresponding button on the key fob, the car immediately opens and the alarm goes off.

The problem is caused not so much by the system itself, but by the adjustment of the driver's door actuator. It cannot reach the standard traction, and the limit switch does not allow the central locking to open the doors. In this case, there are 2 options:

Remove the driver's side door trim and adjust the actuator on the rod.
Replace the two-wire activator with a similar system, but consisting of five wires. After this, you need to give him control of the central locking from the standard key fob. It is worth noting that this method is the most effective.
After the car has been idle for a long time and the security system has been disarmed, a problem may arise when the doors automatically close immediately. The problem is solved after pressing the open button a second time.

In addition, the wiring insulation may be damaged and the fuse on the green and blue wires in the central locking connector may have burned out. The presence of a short to ground contributes to the spontaneous opening and closing of doors. The problem may also lie in the equipment being in service mode. In this case, the shock sensor will not work. In this case, the key fob will notify you of a malfunction with a signal displaying a wrench. This icon is selected by button 3 and disabled by button 2.

Reasons why the alarm system fails to respond to commands from the key fob

If the alarm system produced by Starline does not respond to commands, the problem, as a rule, lies in the battery or the presence of interference that prevents the signal from being received. In all other cases, dealing with the breakdown is more problematic: repair of the entire system will be required.

There may be several reasons for a malfunction. Some of them can be eliminated without any problems, even without specific electrical engineering skills. More severe types of breakdowns of the Starline security alarm will require the intervention of specialists from the service center. The key fob may not respond to pressing a button because:

the battery charge has come to an end;
there is radio interference on the air that interferes with signal reception/transmission;
there are problems in synchronization between the system and the remote control;
mechanical faults have appeared in the design of the system or key fob;
There is no possibility of transmitting a radio signal.

Before starting repair work, it is important to pay attention to the alarm model, the version of which will determine all subsequent actions.

Key fob malfunctions

If the driver notices that the pager has stopped working after a destructive mechanical impact: a blow or a fall, the device will most likely have to be replaced. The car alarm remote control is a rather fragile mechanism, careless handling of which will lead to failure.

Radio interference

Today there are tens of thousands of devices sending signals into the general airwaves. The Starline car alarm key fob can detect extraneous radio signals that interfere with the normal operation of the device. In such cases, the pager transmits commands with a significant delay, or simply does not respond to the presence of a car in the immediate vicinity.

Such cases are often observed when the car is located in the area of airports, industrial bases or objects under security guard. The problem can be solved by placing the remote control close to the body of the vehicle: if the device still does not respond, you should change the parking location.

The key fob does not sync with the car

The area of interaction between a security alarm and a portable remote control is a rather complex system that includes a large number of nuances. It will not be possible to deal with synchronization problems between the remote control and the security system without the involvement of a third-party specialist. If such problems arise, repairmen recommend carrying out the following frauds:

Turn off the engine and put the security system into setup mode. The service mode is activated by pressing the corresponding key on the remote control nine times.
Place the key in the ignition switch, setting it to the “ACC” position. The fact of transition to the service mode is indicated by several sound signals emitted by the alarm.
On the portable pager, hold down the “1” and “2” keys until the system responds with a sound signal.
Next, remove the key from the ignition switch. If done correctly, the car headlights will blink once or twice.

If all these actions do not lead to a solution to the problem, you will need the help of a specialist.

Control unit problems

The control unit is a complex design head unit responsible for performing basic vehicle security tasks. Problems that have arisen in the central hub area may be indicated by the following symptoms:

there are malfunctions in the functioning of the security complex;
commands sent from the key fob are executed with a significant degree of delay.

If such problems arise in the operation of the alarm system, it is better to have the car checked at a service center. Our technicians will diagnose:

de-energize the security system;
the control complex will be removed;
disassemble the control unit;
inspect all modules and boards for malfunctions.

You can carry out such work independently only if you have advanced knowledge in the relevant field of electrical engineering.

Problems with door mechanisms

Functional malfunctions regarding synchronization between commands from the remote control and opening the car doors can occur due to such breakdowns as:

burnout of safety elements;
cable rupture;
breakdown of the central locking unit.

Malfunctions in the locking system area can be identified through the following diagnostics: the key is inserted into the driver's door lock and turned towards the lock. If you cannot lock the car, you can conclude that the central locking unit is broken.

Insufficient voltage to operate the system

The key fob of the Starline security complex may stop working due to problems with the electrical circuits that power the security alarm system. In order to identify failures in this area, you should test the battery:

visually inspect the external battery box for cracks;
clean the battery input and output terminals from corrosive deposits;
Connect the output of the voltmeter to the battery connectors and measure the voltage.

The normal voltage ranges from 12.5 to 12.7 volts, and with the engine running - from 13 to 14 volts.

Battery failure

The Starline car alarm remote control operates using batteries, which can also be faulty. The main signs indicating problems with this unit include:

dim lighting;
the presence of sound signals indicating a low charge;
the indicator light is on - an icon indicating that the battery is low;
the alarm does not respond to commands from the key fob or responds, but with a delay;
The diode located on the remote control box stops lighting.

In all these cases, the key fob battery must be replaced.

Display damage

Display failure can most often be detected by inspecting the device. Problems in the screen area are indicated by various chips, cracks and scratches. Such problems arise as a result of mechanical influence, and lead to the control panel simply stopping working.

Broken buttons

The presence of such a malfunction is indicated by factors such as:

sticky keys;
the need to press multiple times.

Broken keys are another common reason why the Starline alarm does not respond to the key fob.

Board hardware problem

A breakdown of the central board can only be detected using special inspection equipment located in service centers. Signs of such a malfunction are similar to the case of a low battery.