No start with key, starts with remote start?

[intheburbs]

Ok, interesting issue here, hoping someone has had this before. 2008 Suburban 2500, 6.0 LY6, 192k miles, stock except for Blackbear tune.

I don't drive this truck frequently, and when I do I always use remote start. Well, this morning, after driving a bit and stopping for a quick errand, I jumped in and tried to start using the key. Just got a click, as if the battery was dead. BTW, I have dual batteries, so it's unlikely I don't have enough juice/voltage. I took out the ignition key, opened and closed the driver door, then tried to remote start and it fires right up. Shut it off, try to start with they key - just the click and no start. I can insert the ignition key and turn it to run after remote starting and the engine stays on. I have no idea how long this situation might have existed.

Any thoughts? I'm going to start digging around and checking wiring, but this one has me perplexed. TIA

ETA: Is it possible that I'm on the ragged edge of sufficient voltage, and that the slight extra draw of the headlights/climate control/etc. when using the key is enough extra draw to cause a no-start?

Here's a video of the behavior:

 

[Doubeleive]

you can check the resting voltage with a meter, otherwise it may just be a bad ignition, just guessing, a tech2 would be pretty helpful in diagnosis.

question: if you autostart it, then insert the key and turn it to run, then turn to off does the engine continue to run for the remainder of the autostart time period (10min)

 

[intheburbs]

you can check the resting voltage with a meter, otherwise it may just be a bad ignition, just guessing, a tech2 would be pretty helpful in diagnosis.

question: if you autostart it, then insert the key and turn it to run, then turn to off does the engine continue to run for the remainder of the autostart time period (10min)

Nope. Once I insert the key and turn it to 'run' after remote starting, behaves normally and turns off when I turn off the ignition. Again, I remote start just about all the time, so this might have been going on for a while and I never noticed. The more I think about it, the more I think it might be an early sign that my battery is on its way out.

I do have a Tech 2, or actually the cheap Chinese knock-off, but I haven't taken the time to play with it and familiarize myself. I guess this is a good time for that.

 

[wjburken]

Nope. Once I insert the key and turn it to 'run' after remote starting, behaves normally and turns off when I turn off the ignition. Again, I remote start just about all the time, so this might have been going on for a while and I never noticed. The more I think about it, the more I think it might be an early sign that my battery is on its way out.

I do have a Tech 2, or actually the cheap Chinese knock-off, but I haven't taken the time to play with it and familiarize myself. I guess this is a good time for that.

My guess would be a bad ignition switch that is not making contact in the start position to tell the vehicle to fire off the starter, but the remote start module is able to so.

 

[Doubeleive]

Nope. Once I insert the key and turn it to 'run' after remote starting, behaves normally and turns off when I turn off the ignition. Again, I remote start just about all the time, so this might have been going on for a while and I never noticed. The more I think about it, the more I think it might be an early sign that my battery is on its way out.

I do have a Tech 2, or actually the cheap Chinese knock-off, but I haven't taken the time to play with it and familiarize myself. I guess this is a good time for that.

you can connect the tech2 and go to the bcm menu and you can see the ignition key data, it will tell you if it see's the key present and position (i think) it should at least provided some important related information

 

[Doubeleive]

the good news is if it is just the ignition cylinder then it's pretty simple to change out, just don't buy a borg-warner they can't be re-keyed

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I had a similar situation using the key to start the truck in my 1997 Yukon (RIP), and it turned out to be an ignition switch failure in the start position.

 

[intheburbs]

I'm guessing my primary battery was low enough on voltage to not have enough juice for a keyed start, but enough juice to start remotely with fewer current draw. Or perhaps the second battery is tapped differently on keyed vs remote start. When I connected my charger, it read 10.7 volts, which is low, and it showed 9% charged.

I have a charger on the primary, will check it when I get home tonight. Have to figure out if the infrequent usage just caused it to slowly drain (and my short trips aren't enough to fully charge it) , or if the battery is dying or has a bad cell or two. It's garaged, so it isn't exposed to extreme heat or cold.

 

[avalonandl]

They only put 2 batteries in Diesels (I think). You should check the set up make sure you have a correct isolator.


Edit: after watching your video its a bad switch- either key cylinder or start solenoid at base of column.

192k miles- stuff wears out

 

[PG01]

I'm guessing my primary battery was low enough on voltage to not have enough juice for a keyed start, but enough juice to start remotely with fewer current draw. Or perhaps the second battery is tapped differently on keyed vs remote start. When I connected my charger, it read 10.7 volts, which is low, and it showed 9% charged.

I have a charger on the primary, will check it when I get home tonight. Have to figure out if the infrequent usage just caused it to slowly drain (and my short trips aren't enough to fully charge it) , or if the battery is dying or has a bad cell or two. It's garaged, so it isn't exposed to extreme heat or cold.

Thats why i did mine parallel..... hehehe... Im kidding man.... smile... and dont be so angry