I recently had a remote starter (AutoMate) installed in my 2008 LS460. The remote starter works great but when I open the car door the engine shuts off. I then need to restart by pressing the START button on the dashboard. Is this a safety issue or is this something that can be avoided? Thank you.

 

Welcome to CL as a new poster.

Technical questions about vehicles are usually not posted in this forum. We have specific LS, General-Maintenance, and Car-Chat forums to address issues like that.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/

I'm not an electronics expert, but just off-hand, it sounds like the security-system of your LS doesn't recognize the codes on your aftermarket remote-starter (or only recognizes part of them, allowing a remote engine-start for not full security-deactivation), and is shutting down the engine when the door opens as an anti-theft measure, even if you have your own key-fob in range and working normally.

 

Don't know why that should happen with an aftermarket remote start unless the installer has it working that way.
Toyota part remote starts works the same way.
Engine shuts off when unlocking the door which is ridiculous,IMO.A step on the brakes shuts the car down so a thief can go anywhere because he can't shift without stepping on the brake.

 

Unfortunately, my Lexus dealership remote start doesn't talk to the car well, too.
Yes, it shuts off.
But it is a minor nuisance, comparing to have your tush warmed up, while it is in the minus territory outside. I use the remote start only in winter, and keep my prostate happy.

 

That's the way it's designed to work. Yes it's a safety issue..

I think you will also find that the engine will also shut down on its own if you don't enter the car within a preset time, perhaps 5 minutes or so. That way you don't start it in the garage, forget and kill everyone in the house due to CO poisoning.

JR

 

The OP has not returned since he posted this.

Noob.

 

this what happens when you go with a factory and most aftermarket remote starts with these cars. there is a way around it, you just have to buy a few more modules and may have to give up a key but it can be done without the car not shutting off. you would have to use the aftermarket key fob to start and not touch the oem fob or it will turn off

 

I had a chevy with a remote start and it did the same I think its intended to do that unless you do extensive modifications to it.

 

Not really you just need the correct bypass module. Not sure on lexus but I had infiniti fx45 prior and I was able to remote start put my key in a drive away but without a key it would shut off. Depends on your installer.