2003 toyota matrix remote start issues

First off.... I did a quick search and did not find my answer. I did find an awesome wiring diagram for the Toyota Matrix, and I followed it. I am installing a Code Alarm CA611 remote start / alarm / keyless entry system into my 2003 Toyota Matrix. Following the wiring diagram found in the forums here, I was able to match most of the wires with the instructions from the Code Alarm install manual. Here is one problem, the remote start does not work at all. When sending the remote start signal, the parking lights flash 7 times and nothing else. I did notice on the wiring diagram found here in the forums has the First Ignition as BLACK / YELLOW and Second Ignition as BLACK/ white. The Code Alarm website shows the opposite. I looked at the wiring diagram from Toyota and is confirms what I got from this forum. I guess the Code Alarm website is wrong??? I am not sure why the remote start is not working. It seemed like a simple connection of 6 easy-to-find wires at the ignition harness in the steering column and then its done. Is there a factory alarm module in this car I don't know about? Is there something I am not seeing? Thanks in advance for the help.

It sounds like you need to change from tach to tachless in the menu...Have you switched it in the programming yet...?M.E.C.P & First-Class

Go slow and drink lots of water...Procrastinators' Unite...Tomorrow!

tommy and KTM are both right as usual, I have a question based on European knowledge, I haven't a clue what a Matrix is....didi you install a transponder by-pass? Without it the R/S will run for about 1/2 sec then pack up.

Thanks guys for the responses! I did not know that there was a transponder, so no, there is no bypass installed. I figured that since the car was old enough it would not have that kind of technology. The keys it came with (got car used) are regular keys I could have cut at Walmart. So it looks like I connect the blue/black at the ignition to a ground during remote start wire from the alarm system and it should work? There is an unused wire from the alarm and it happens to be blue/black. From the manual:   Active Output (-)300mA and provides a ground output when the remote start function is activated and remains active for 4 seconds after the remote start is shut down. A Toyota Matrix is the hatchback version of a Corolla. Still 4 doors, but smaller.

tommy... wrote: It sounds like you need to change from tach to tachless in the menu...Have you switched it in the programming yet...?

I see the default is TACH. I did not change it in the programming menu since I hooked the TACH wire to the lead off the module. Can I change it to Tachless and not have the extra wire running under the hood?

tommy... wrote: Yes you could un-hook...But if you have already hooked in to tach...Just do the tach learn sequence(tach is better then tachless)...What does 7 flashes say in the diagnostics page...? As far as the key...It is an all metal key...?

The key "looks" like a regular key however, it has a rubber grip around the head of the key where the toyota logo is. It doesn't appear to have any special stuff in it, not big enough. Its nothing fancy like my Ford Edge key that is programmed and costs $100 to replace...lol I will do the tach learn sequence, thanks. As for the 7 Flashes, I am not sure what it means, the books don't have anything associated with 7 flashes in the troubleshooting pages. I need to research on their website I think. Thanks for all the help!!

It is very rare for a 2003 Matrix to have a transponder key. Back when I installed, I remember the wiring charts listing it as a possibility, but I don't think I ever saw one that had one. At least from that year. Reversing Ign 1 and Ign 2 on a system will not have any negative effect, unless they are not true ignition wires. The are both true ignition wires on a Toyota. Not your problem... I have never installed Code Alarm but the issue you are describing sounds related to programming. I just downloaded the manual for the CA-610 on this site and it clearly says 7 flashes is "tach has not learned".