Remote Starter in Valet Mode:
Lots of times people have called in saying that their remote starter all the sudden quit working, that it was working just fine yesterday and now all of the sudden all it does is flash the parking lights a number of times when they try to activate the remote starter. The common cause of this is that somehow indirectly the system was put into what is called the "valet" or "service mode" which inhibits the remote starter from being activated from the remote.
Depending on the brand and model of system installed in the vehicle, there are several ways a system can be put into and out of valet mode. In our experience, the same procedure that puts the system into valet mode is exactly the way it is taken out of valet mode. Here is a few of the most common ways we know of:
Version A: There's a small ON/OFF toggle switch mounted underneath the driver's side dash somewhere that if installed to close to the driver's left foot or above the knees it could be accidentally bumped into when exiting the vehicle and switched into the OFF position. This commonly happens during cleaning of the vehicle when panels are wiped down and the switch is accidentally flipped into the opposite position. Additionally, on some systems, this switch may not function without the ignition being ON, so you would have to turn the ignition ON first before flipping the switch.
Version B: On most newer remote starter systems theres an antenna mounted on the upper inside of the windshield, top center, on the glass behind the rear-view mirror, or may be mounted in the upper left corner. On most of these systems you will find a push-button built into it. Commonly a small black or gray round disc that softly clicks when you press it. Now this button only works with the ignition ON, and on many systems as soon as you turn the ignition ON (don't start the vehicle) theres also a LED light built into the antenna and when the system is in valet mode, the LED on the antenna will turn ON solid almost as soon as you turn the ignition ON indicating that the vehicle is in valet/service mode. To turn off valet mode, with the ignition ON, simply press & hold this button in until the LED turns OFF (takes no more then 15 seconds). Then turn OFF the ignition, remove keys and test remote starter activation (never try to activate the remote starter with a key in the ignition).
Version C: Same in/out valet procedure as described in version B, but the button is not built into the antenna but instead mounted separately by itself under the driver's side dash like the toggle switch described in version A.
Version D: Almost the same in/out valet procedure as described in version B except you don'y have to hold the button in, you just press & release it 1X. And the button is built into the system's flashing LED mounted on the front of the driver's side dashboard, facing you, commonly located to the left of the steering column. Some can be found mounted thru the steering column covers on the steering column. You will know if the valet button is built into the LED when you can easily push the LED in and it immediately springs back out when you release the button.
