bclexus

Does anyone use Lexus Enform Remote Start with success?

I'm able to lock and unlock my car's doors with the Lexus app and the key fob but cannot remote start the car with either the Lexus app or the key fob.

When I try to remote start using the Lexus app the app screen displays it's processing the remote start and the car's lights blink correctly but the car doesn't start.

When I try to remote start using the key fob the car's lights blink correctly but the car doesn't start.

The Lexus app Notifications says Remote command failed (Because either [D1] or [E0] - (See screen shot of app notifications below - some of which don't apply to trying to remote start).

I see that other Lexus Enform Remote users have experienced the same failure results when attempting to remote start their vehicle using the app or their key fob.

► Any suggestions or advice is welcomed?

bclexus

I found out why my Lexus Enform Remote Start won't start my 2018 GS 450h, and what is needed to have the Lexus Remote Start to work.

Per Lexus, I need to have a DCM 'Handshake' update made to the Data Communications Module in my car.

According to Lexus my 2018 GS 450h needs the DCM update per Service Bulletin L-SB-0006-19 (see below) , starting with Step K (for my 2018 GS 450h) per the following:




If anyone with the Lexus app and a paid subscription for Remote that has a problem with the Lexus app or Smart key fob not starting the car, you might want to look into Lexus Service Bulletin L-SB-0006-19 to see if your Lexus vehicle needs a DCM Handshake update to get your remote start to work.




I have added the Lexus Service Bulletin L-SB-0006-19 as an attachment in this post...

bclexus

@jgscott - Sorry about the tag but I hope this will help you...

Here's what I'm told. A 2013 Lexus model had it Telematics DCM pre-programmed for 2G (second-generation) mobile network which has been long gone for many years now.

I'm not sure how the same DCM was made to handle 3G (third-generation) mobile network for customers, but I'm guessing it was an automatic download - but that network went away too (I believe 10/31/2022). This affected what was called 'Lexus Enform'. All Lexus Enform subscription services were discontinued on select 2010-2018 vehicles. Did that include 2013 - oh yes it did!

Then Lexus came out with what was called the 'Lexus App Suite'. Well, on October 30, 2023, 'Lexus App Suite' services was discontinued for use for many Lexus models, including the GS/GS F model for years 2013 - 2020.

This is what is important about this - the 2013 GS has a Telematic DCM that has been fully capable of handling all the previous mobile network services with the last one discontinued only one year ago.

This means the Telematics DCM in a 2013 Lexus GS was capable of handling all the mobile networks for the old mobile protocols; including the most recent discontinued Lexus 'App Suite' which is what 2015 -2020 GS models used before it was discontinued.

Where does this put things now? The answer is to make the 2013 DCM capable of using the latest 'Lexus App' just like a 2015 GS is capable of doing, but the problem is this - only beginning in 2015 was the DCM pre-programmed to handle post-3G mobile networks. But that doesn't help if you have a 2013. Oh, but wait!

The Telematics DCM in any Lexus model for year 2013 can be reset/updated or re-initialized (just like a 2015 model) to handshake network protocols from the latest Lexus Connected Technology, called simply 'Lexus App' for networks including the ECM to remote start the car - as long as you have the Lexus App and a subscription for 'Remote'.

The problem you may face is trying to convince a Lexus dealership's service department to update/reset or re-initialized a 2013 Lexus model's DCM, because it was not preprogrammed or meant to handle post-3G mobile networks...even though it is fully capable of doing so - if only you can talk the service department into updating it (to make it like a 2015 model DCM). You see, the DCM in a 2013 GS is no different from the DCM in a 2015 GS except for the updated programming. Make the 2013 DCM like a 2015 DCM and it will be capable of remote start with the free Lexus App and a 'Remote' subscription for $8.00 per month.

Can you just swap out the 2013 DCM for a 2015 DCM? I don't know! There may be a problem of the 2015 DCM rejecting a 2013 VIN. A body shop may be a good source of information pertaining to swapping DCMs between model years and/or VINs.

I hope this helps!

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Great info. I am going to look into it. Did Lexus charge you for the update? Likely not due to you have a 2018 right?

So what would I want to ask them to do? Reset? /Updated? or Re-initialized? Or all3 ? Thanks.

Also, would I be able to get the Lexus App and a subscription for 'Remote'.... if the Vin is a 2013??????

bclexus

@jgscott - All good questions. I'll need to be detailed and somewhat specific in my answers so my post reply will be rather lengthy, but hopefully helpful to you...

To answer your first question; as a prelude - I think you know I have Lexus Platinum Extended Warranty on my 2018 GS 450h.

My Service Advisor - who is an Assistant Service Manager, and was previously a Lexus Master Tech and a certified advanced level ASE specialist - tried to recover from Lexus (by virtue of my Lexus Platinum Extended Warranty) a little bit of the expense for labor time it took to activate (a.k.a. reset/update/re-initialize0 my DCM, but the request was denied. It was denied because he was told that even though the Service Bulletin was applicable to my 2018 GS 450h, it was outside the 'Basic' warranty period (see page from Service Bulletin below) My service advisor told me he was hoping to recover a little over $100 - but said it was no big deal being denied and he just wrote it off. So no, I was not charged for what was done to my DCM.

BTW, for your knowledge it look about 1 hour or so to do the activation on my DCM - as I waited in the Lexus customer lounge area and looked around the new car showroom.

Here's what you'll want to ask to be done to your car - You'll want to somehow gently request that the DCM in your 2013 be 'activated' or updated per the L-SB-0006-19 (as if it was a 2018 GS 350 to perform remote door lock and unlock registration and remote engine start and stop registration.

(See image of the Service Bulletin Page 8 directly below with 2018 GS 350 listed just above my 2018 GS 450h on the list).

Here's the important thing to know - Your 2013 GS 350's original equipment installed DCM is the same as a 2018 GS 350 has. So, if you owned a 2018 GS 350 your DCM would need to be updated or activated just like my 2018 GS 450h's DCM needed. And, you could most definitely get that done at your Lexus dealership's service department by you showing the service advisor the L-SB-006-19.

The dilemma you face in this adventure is convincing your Lexus dealer's service department to activate your 2013 DCM like they can a 2018 DCM - - even though 2013 is not a year that is addressed in the L-SB -0006-19.

If you can convince your Lexus dealer's service department to update your 2013 DCM - the tech would start the activation process using Tech Stream beginning at Step K in the Lexus Service Bulletin L-SB-0006-19 (attached below) - - just like they did for my 2018 GS 450h.

Will they do that for you on your 2013 GS 350? I don't know. You may need to have a close relationship with someone in the service department to get that done.

If your Lexus dealer refuses to do it - another thought was finding a used DCM out or a wrecked 2018+ that already had the DCM updated to swap it out, but that is highly unlikely in my opinion - plus it wouldn't be linked to your VIN anyway. The next possibility is - finding an indy shop with Tech Stream and TIS that has an experienced technician familiar with using Tech Stream on Lexus/Toyota vehicles to do it. I would think that is a good possibility! Or, will a Toyota dealer do it for you? Maybe!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention one more thing - that is; I do not know if there may be something like a digital lockout or rejection in Tech Stream or the DCM (once connected) that might reject updating a 2013 DCM already registered to a 2013 VIN to make it identical to a 2018 model year DCM.

As for getting the Lexus App and a subscription for 'Remote' since your car is a 2013 but with its DCM hopefully soon updated to 2018 status - I really do not know. But my guess is you would be able to get the Lexus App and a 'Remote' subscription with an updated DCM, and it would work, and I think it would correctly ID your car by its VIN.

I would certainly think a Lexus Collision Center (like Hennessy Lexus in Atlanta has) or some other high-end body shop would likely know what process they would use to update something like a replacement DCM.




Labor recovery was denied because it was outside the 'Basic' warranty period:

bclexus

@jgscott - (Sorry about another tag, but you need to know about this!)

There is nothing that prohibits your 2013 GS 350's DCM (Data Communication Module) from being updated (initialized) to function just like a 2018 GS 350.

It's simply a matter of getting your Lexus dealer's service department to do it - even though the L-SB-006-19 you will refer to does not specifically list any Lexus model older than 2018.

You need to ask and convince your Lexus Service Advisor to update (initialize) your car's Telematics DCM using their TechStream beginning with Step K of the L-SB-006-19 'as if' your 2013 GS 350 is a 2018 GS 350. This will likely cost you 1.5 to 2 hours labor.

If you don't already have a Lexus App, you should get it...

Once the DCM is updated you'll need to sign up for an 'Enform Remote' (a.k.a. Remote Connection) subscription (the cost is $8.00 plus tax per month).

It's my understanding there will not be any conflict whatsoever by updating (initializing) your car's Telematics DCM per the L-SB-006-19 'as if' it was a 2018 GS 350 even though your car (and its VIN) is a 2013 GS 350.

FYI - The only paid subscription you'll need for remote start is the 'Remote', but just so you know - other subscription plans like Integrated Streaming (that requires Wi-Fi Connect), Music Lover or Premium Connected Services are also available...but not needed for remote start capability.

The video below is a 2013 GS 350 that has a DCM capable of remote starting.

Note: I do not know if the DCM in the 2013 GS 350 in this video is an original equipment anomaly or if the DCM was updated/initialized with the owner obtaining a 'Remote' subscription...

Your 2013 GS 350 will be able to remote start by either the Smart key fob or by using the Lexus App once your car's DCM is updated to handle up-to-date network communications.- as long as you have a 'Remote' subscription.

You Tube

I hope this is helpful for you!

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Ok got it. A wealth of detailed info! Is why I still hang on to the GS!! I am going Lexus next week sometime. I re-downloaded the Enform app back on my iphone 15 pro again. I just hope the stop gap is not that they won't let the 13 vin reg on the app?

If if works b because I do have a good relations with the Lexus Dealer here I go to sometimes. One Master tech has been with Lexus from the day Lexus 1st started back in the 80's. This would be great for everyone who has a 13 - 17 to be able use it. As credit to you for going to your Lexus service I think you nailed this one. Appreciate it! Thanks!

I wonder why Lexus claimed the 18+ only? Did they want to sell more new Tech cars, or.... did they want to not use the server space or something like that?

bclexus

You are very welcome my friend.

Here is the My lexus App ► https://www.lexus.com/My-Lexus/resou...ted-technology

As you can see (below) I acted like I was registering a car for the Lexus App and I selected a model GS 350 and year 2013! So, of course the App will be correctly linked to your car's VIN.

I can only guess that Lexus believed - with the old 2G and 3G networks being discontinued - and [maybe] only 2018+ vehicles had their DCMs pre-programed for future communication networks; Lexus mistakenly felt that only 2018+ models needed the DCM reset/update to handshake with new networks like the 4G and 5G.
It's not the first time Lexus miscalculated the timing of an update which overlooked some model years that should have legitimately been included in an update...

Wishing you good luck getting your DCM updated. Let us know how it goes...





Here is some of the Health Report:

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Great! I have lots going on right now. Last Youngest Daughters starting a UGA, Her car and lots more.

Going to be all on this. Of course I will let you know as soon as I push, and get the 1st Remote start and can see my cars stats on the app. Appreciate you taking the time I did not have yet!!!