Remote start- Whiteface Ford has a deep concern

[GON]

Whiteface Ford posts some great videos.

The owner of Whiteface Ford recently posted a significant concern. Ford's remote start (from Ford's Android/ iPhone application.

The owner's concern is that one can program a smartphone to remote start a Ford truck, just like a daily alarm clock can be pre-programmed on a smart phone. Or a person might remote start a different vehicle than they thought.

The owner noted what happens when a technician is under the hood, working on a ford truck, and a person engages the remote start, could ended up injuring or worse the technician. Secondly, what happens is remote start is activated by mistake during a oil change, at the moment the oil is be drained or just finished draining.

Real life problem, and Whiteface implies Ford doesn't have a disable safety feature for a tech to disable remote start, that doesn't require significant downloading of software and configuration after remote start is disabled.

 

[zzyzzx]

Isn't the first step any maintenance lists is disconnecting the negative battery terminal?

 

[BobsArmory]

I thought that if vehicles had the hood popped the remote wouldn't work.

 

[GON]

I thought that if vehicles had the hood popped the remote wouldn't work.

Whiteface Ford reported Ford trucks can be remote started with the hood open when using the Ford smartphone application.

 

[rijndael]

Isn't the first step any maintenance lists is disconnecting the negative battery terminal?

No. Lots of work starts with replicating the customer concerns; you wouldn't start that by disturbing things (like touching a battery cable and cutting off power to things normally with power). Who's cutting the power to change the oil? You definitely wouldn't start a lengthy electrical diag by shutting off power.

Maybe Ford and other manufacturers need to start with geofencing dealerships.

 

[Tdbo]

That's why most vehicles with the feature have a label that clearly states that the vehicle has such a device.
At least the three that I have with remote start do, so that whoever is working on them can make the necessary adjustments.
If they don't, then that could be a problem.

 

[rijndael]

I'd like to also remind folks that pulling the negative on the battery often clears non-permanent codes.

 

[skyactiv]

Here comes litigation.

 

[Passport1]

Remote Start? Nothing new there. I had it once long time ago. Happened every AM at 0530. We called it reveille.

 

[Hall]

The owner noted what happens when a technician is under the hood, working on a ford truck, and a person engages the remote start, could ended up injuring or worse the technician. Secondly, what happens is remote start is activated by mistake during a oil change, at the moment the oil is be drained or just finished draining.

Any Ford owners with app-based remote start that can confirm or deny this ? I know with key-fob remote start it will NOT work if the hood is open.

 

[mk378]

I thought they all had a hood switch to disable remote starting. It would be a recall-worthy product defect if it doesn't also disable starting via the app.

 

[fsdork]

Like others, I'm skeptical of the claim that the remote start functions with the hood popped. My F-150 with key fob remote start won't remote start in that condition, and neither will the late-model Suburban I drive with Viper 2-way alarm/starter. The latter even shuts the engine down if the key isn't in the "on" position in the ignition and the hood is popped while the engine is running.

 

[rijndael]

Hood switches aren't enough.

In electrical diagnostics where you need the cars to go to sleep, to find a parasitic drain, you're resetting the latch while it's up. You do the same with doors. You need doors open and hoods up to get access to all of the fuses/relays/computers for probing.

 

[GMBoy]

Isn't the first step any maintenance lists is disconnecting the negative battery terminal?

YES but rarely does anybody do it.

I won't do it unless its a starter, alternator or a sensitive electronic piece is being worked on due to obvious chance of shorting out/sparking. Reason? Disconnecting batteries can lose important diagnostic information (codes/live data) and worse yet some cars will require registering the battery, all sorts of relearns and other procedures that take time and can be an issue of you aren't aware. I even hate changing batteries on some cars! lol

 

[GMBoy]

Like others, I'm skeptical of the claim that the remote start functions with the hood popped. My F-150 with key fob remote start won't remote start in that condition, and neither will the late-model Suburban I drive with Viper 2-way alarm/starter. The latter even shuts the engine down if the key isn't in the "on" position in the ignition and the hood is popped while the engine is running.

This! They won't remote start with hood open or even some codes will disable it.

 

[SC Maintenance]

This is like the argument of not sending an email because it might go to the wrong place.

If the code is written correctly and the interlocks on the vehicle are written correctly then it won't be a problem. The tech itself is fine.

Ford implementing it correctly may in fact be a problem, given all there issues over the years.

 

[ironman_gq]

My last truck wouldn't remote start when the third brake light bulb went out or if there was a CEL for anything more significant than an O2 sensor

 

[JohnnyG]

Mercedes Benz discontinued that service Jan 1, 2026. I rarely used it, but it was part of the deal when I bought the car. I suppose it's the way things are going now to maximize profit and reduce liability.

 

[mk378]

you're resetting the latch while it's up. You do the same with doors. You need doors open and hoods up to get access to all of the fuses/relays/computers for probing.

After someone has bypassed the provided interlocks on any machine they are responsible for the danger.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Mercedes Benz discontinued that service Jan 1, 2026. I rarely used it, but it was part of the deal when I bought the car. I suppose it's the way things are going now to maximize profit and reduce liability.

Yes, our 2019 Toyota had it. It was free for a year and then its a annual service fee. I never use remote start but tried it once for giggles, then obviosly allowed it to laps.

The whole thing is just another attempt by the Auto OEM's to generate recurring revenue.