Accessory Remote Engine Starters Aren't The Same! (A16080B)

WARNING: This page is about the CR-V EX, Eng CD K24V1, which is a different variant/trim than selected.

Publication date: 2016-08-03
Reference number: A16080B

ACCESSORY REMOTE ENGINE STARTERS AREN'T THE SAME!

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): A16080B Version 1, Date of Issue: August 3, 2016

HONDA:

All

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Honda models with available accessory remote engine starter

The accessory remote engine starter comes in two types. One is a unit standard accessory, which may be a single part or partial system add-on and can be identical to the factory-installed system. The other is a separately developed accessory, which requires a complete system installation. Although they basically do the same job, their applicability is model and trim level dependent and they each use a different transmitter.

There are also some differences in their features and how you work them. And it's those differences that might lead to confusion for techs and customers alike. Here's why.

Perhaps the biggest difference is the way you start and stop the engine with the transmitter.

Unit Standard Accessory

Start Sequence: Press and release the Lock button, then press and hold the ENGINE button.
Stop Sequence: Press and hold the ENGINE button.

Separately Developed Accessory

Start Sequence: Press and release the ENGINE button, then press and release the Lock/Start button.
Stop Sequence: Press and release the ENGINE button, then press and release the Unlock/Stop button.

The obvious difference here is that you're pressing and holding the ENGINE button on the unit standard accessory transmitter, whereas you're pressing and releasing it on the separately developed accessory transmitter.

But pressing and holding the ENGINE button on the separately developed accessory transmitter has a completely different meaning. The system thinks you're trying to activate the trunk or hatch glass release feature, which applies just to vehicles with a trunk or hatch glass. If the vehicle doesn't have one, the Trunk Release Failure icon will appear in the transmitter display.

And this is where the confusion lies. If you happen to use the unit standard start sequence on a vehicle equipped with the separately developed accessory, the engine won't start and you'll think the system is broken.

With that in mind, we've put together a quick reference guide showing you the button pressing sequences for each accessory's major features (see attached). You'll find it a big help when dealing with these two accessories and could even spare you unneeded troubleshooting and repair.