KJ issues, starting, horn stuck, locks not operating, etc

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

Needed to take the KJ out today. So naturally I go to start it up using the remote start and it wont work. I tried a couple times and no go. no big deal I try to lock and unlock it a few times....still no go.

So I walk out to the KJ and get in to start it. It fires up right away.

Now I go inside to shower and get ready to leave and I hear the horn sporadically honk. Then it gets going on a Looooooong continuous honk and wont stop.

So I unhook the negative on the battery. Spray all the windows with deicer, wait a minute. Then reconnect the negative on the battery and the KJ fires right up!

Then the horn starts blowing again.

WTH?>!

Anyone got any ideas?
This is odd!

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

so even with the horn fuse out it still blares the horn

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 7:14 pm

You have a stuck relay some where just go through your book and find the relay connected to the horn. Or more then likely the one connected to your remote start. You could also have a chaffed harness that is messing with your remote start.

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

something caused this thing to start up as soon as the battery was connected.

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

j-rod wrote:

something caused this thing to start up as soon as the battery was connected.

The remote start is more than likely your problem or atleast part of the problem. Every vehicle I have ever had with a remote start, even a dealer installed remote start, eventually always causes issues. The worste was a Plymouth Voyager I had burn to the ground and that one was installed at the dealer when new. My wifes current Montana has a remote start, also dealer installed, started doing the exact same thing you describe. I yanked it out before it caused any more troubles. I hate remote starts :furious:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:53 am

BugginKJ wrote:

j-rod wrote:

something caused this thing to start up as soon as the battery was connected.

The remote start is more than likely your problem or atleast part of the problem. Every vehicle I have ever had with a remote start, even a dealer installed remote start, eventually always causes issues. The worste was a Plymouth Voyager I had burn to the ground and that one was installed at the dealer when new. My wifes current Montana has a remote start, also dealer installed, started doing the exact same thing you describe. I yanked it out before it caused any more troubles. I hate remote starts :furious:

I have a dealer installed remote starter,no issues in 10 years,but also installed by me when I worked at the dealership.

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

should there be a relay or fuse to easily disable the remote start that I could remove and see if it fixes the issues?

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

battery tested perfect.

I am going to call about having the remote start removed. I can connect the battery and turn the switch to on and all is fine. as soon as it is started the horn starts blaring.

apparently I downloaded the incorrect fuse. I pulled the right fuse for the horn and am able to drive it now.

I found a toggle switch under the dash with "on-off" and thought it was for remote start. turned it to off and had no issues for about 5 miles. then it started again

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

found the brain box for the remote start....and removed it.

well that was a FAIL.

removed it and started the KJ. got a CEL. shut KJ down and the engine kept running until it sputtered out. plugged box back in and started KJ. still CEL and shut it off. engine ran until it sputtered out.

I got the battery cable removed to clear CEL.

it is a VALET unit and im trying to find install instructions.

anyone have ideas?!??!?!

:furious:

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:23 pm

Ok there should by a Bypass module under there too, It will be the box that bypasses the factory security system and allows the autostart to integrate with the factory Computer. You may have found that and unplugged it and not the Auto Start itself can you put up some pictures of what you pulled out and the under dash area for me? Some of those Starter bypasses are what we call Key in a Box (Because that's how it works you put a factory chip key in the box and it effectively becomes the bypass) Some of them are a small electronic box that you program to the vehicle then program the key into.

The Biggest issue I see with Automatic starters on a day to day basis is poor quality installs, we pull out other peoples hack jobs at work all the time. Un-plugging the Auto Starters Module (Brain) should have no ill effects on the vehicle operating, however depending on the type and route of install taken with the bypass removing it may cause what you are describing. (Your vehicle now thinks it's stolen). If you need some really good starter tech go here http://www.12voltdata.com/ it's the Idatalink Forum and has a ton of industry pro's who will be able to help you out.

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

I unplugged this previously

it is currently plugged back in.

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:31 pm

Ok I see it's made by Directed electronics, There should be a part number on a sticker and serial number somewhere on there. the smaller plug with the blue/white wires looks like the port for the Bypass. What does it hook too? if it doesn't then trace the other connectors and see if you can locate the bypass box and try to get me a picture of that too.

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

RED_KJ_666 wrote:

Ok I see it's made by Directed electronics, There should be a part number on a sticker and serial number somewhere on there. the smaller plug with the blue/white wires looks like the port for the Bypass. What does it hook too? if it doesn't then trace the other connectors and see if you can locate the bypass box and try to get me a picture of that too.

will try to do that

what about the engine running after shut off? and the fan running all the time? thats not normal. LOL.

did it have anything to do with me unplugging this and starting it?

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

More than likely the wiring is shorted somewhere in the path, removeing the brain box won't do it. Take the entire system out or repair the short. Boils down to poor installation as in most cases.

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

the remote start has been in and operating for 6 years at least. When I removed the kick panel to access the box and wires there was a lot of water that came out. I took the panel inside the house to dry out. let the wiring air dry all day.

I drove her KJ to work and put it in the garage to dry out again. Ill be going over later to check continuity in the wiring at the box.

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

put the horn relay back in place today. started it up with no issues. did this multiple times today.

checked continuity on all the wires to and from the remote start brain. all good there.

carpet is still a bit damp so Im not putting the kick panel back in place. taking it back to work tomorrow and putting a fan on it during the day. once it is completely dry i will put the kick panel back in.

maybe.....was a water/moisture issue....but sure was a weird one.

KJ issues, starting, horn stuck, locks not operating, etc

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