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Unintended engine start

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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 08:44 AM
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Default Unintended engine start

Yesterday I went to a store, came out, opened the door, and, while entering the car, the engine started. I did not press the remote start button as it was in my pocket. I did not press the start button in the car. Anyone else have a ghost start your car? This is a C8 z51 convertible
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 08:51 AM
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I actually witnessed the same thing happen last week and thought maybe I had one too many cocktails the night before. At least I'm not the only one! I thought I had lost it for a moment.

I'm curious if anyone else has had this happen
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 08:56 AM
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Could the remote start button in your pocket have got pushed as you twisted into the car. I had this happen twice on my BMW as I lied down to take a snooze in my house with fob in pocket!
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by BPHORSEGUY
Could the remote start button in your pocket have got pushed as you twisted into the car. I had this happen twice on my BMW as I lied down to take a snooze in my house with fob in pocket!
95% this is what happened.

Last edited by Spamburger_Hamburger; Mar 9, 2021 at 09:15 AM.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 09:19 AM
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Just imagine the suprises coming with fully autonomous vehicles
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 09:37 AM
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Engine start better than engine fart while driving.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by BPHORSEGUY
Could the remote start button in your pocket have got pushed as you twisted into the car. I had this happen twice on my BMW as I lied down to take a snooze in my house with fob in pocket!
Don't you have to press the lock icon before pressing the auto start?
If so, seems pretty improbable that happened by accident with the FOB in your pocket.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by SLWRNU
Don't you have to press the lock icon before pressing the auto start?
If so, seems pretty improbable that happened by accident with the FOB in your pocket.
On the Corvette no on my Silverado yes. It is a double click however.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by BPHORSEGUY
Could the remote start button in your pocket have got pushed as you twisted into the car. I had this happen twice on my BMW as I lied down to take a snooze in my house with fob in pocket!
Yep, frankly that highly likely "Cell Phone Pocket Call" is what could have caused the ~10 folks who early on had their Frunk fly open! Now takes a double click with pause and long hold on the 2nd. Sounds like they may have to incorporate a similar sequence with the remote start!
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 11:00 AM
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Who knew you could butt dial your car
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by feeder82
Just imagine the suprises coming with fully autonomous vehicles

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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 11:11 AM
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^^^
Yep, once they see we humans make mistakes it's all over! They won't need us. They will develop their own economy and multiply all by themselves! We'll be treated just like mosquitos!

Last edited by JerryU; Mar 9, 2021 at 11:13 AM.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 11:13 AM
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Mine has started accidentally 7 times now, once while I was under the car. Always happened with coveralls on and 2 sets of keys in my pocket. Always keep the fob in a shirt pocket now, no further issues.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by johnodrake
Who knew you could butt dial your car
Who knew it would ANSWER?!

Last edited by Vet Interested; Mar 9, 2021 at 12:37 PM.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 01:12 PM
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My Charger Hellcat has remote started on me several times (do not need to press lock first). I've also activated the alarm a few times on entry. The buttons on the fob aren't recessed enough. Not sure what the C8 fob looks like.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 01:15 PM
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are you a fat person who wears tight clothing?
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by waynger
Mine has started accidentally 7 times now, once while I was under the car. Always happened with coveralls on and 2 sets of keys in my pocket. Always keep the fob in a shirt pocket now, no further issues.
Bit scary! If charging brake pads, as I did, need to disconnect the battery OR if the engine starts good chance the eBoost pressure pump will activate! If the pads happen to be out - out pop the pistons- BIG mess. GM recommends disconnecting the battery be discounting when changing brake pads.

After I press the switch on the mirror to stop the horn beeping when the car moves (as when jacking) I put the FOB on a work table! Any pocket in my coveralls would NOT be my choice!

I'm sure you have a reason for having 2 FOBs. I have not seen my other FOB (I'm the only driver) since I got the car. Know where it is (I think) but no need to have it available.

Last edited by JerryU; Mar 9, 2021 at 01:39 PM.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 03:09 PM
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Maybe it is that new Auto Battery Charging feature when it senses low voltage it starts the car to charge the battery...
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by JerryU
Bit scary! If charging brake pads, as I did, need to disconnect the battery OR if the engine starts good chance the eBoost pressure pump will activate! If the pads happen to be out - out pop the pistons- BIG mess. GM recommends disconnecting the battery be discounting when changing brake pads.

After I press the switch on the mirror to stop the horn beeping when the car moves (as when jacking) I put the FOB on a work table! Any pocket in my coveralls would NOT be my choice!

I'm sure you have a reason for having 2 FOBs. I have not seen my other FOB (I'm the only driver) since I got the car. Know where it is (I think) but no need to have it available.
Jerry, the second fob may be for another car. I sometimes have the fob for the Vette, the AMG and the wife's E450 in my pocket while cleaning them. I may rethink that now that I have read this thread.
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Old Mar 9, 2021 | 03:18 PM
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I think this is fairly common on many vehicles these days. I've had inadvertent remote starts on both our 2020 Dodge Ram 1500 and 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia while working around the vehicles with fobs in my pants pocket. Both require a quick double-press of the buttons, which can happen to the fob in a pants pocket while leaning up against something or crouching and standing up.
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