So we had a nice day here in Omaha a few days ago. I think it almost hit 50 degrees.
I decided a good day to change my oil really quick and try out some Valvoline DuraBlend Synthetic. I got the hood up, oil drained and put the drain plug back in. Just got done screwing the new filter on when my engine starts cranking over and starts up! man I thought someone was messing with me but my keys were in my pocket! Turns out my remote start button on my key ring must have been pushed, and the damn hood pin switch didn't do it's job telling the remote start module that the hood was open. Man you never seen anyone get into their pocket so fast! I shut it down but it had run for about 10 or 12 seconds with no oil in it before I turned it off. Felt like someone drained 2 quarts of blood outta me. Well the engine seems to have faired it well. I don't think it was enough time to cause any damage, however just a note. Those hood pin switches that come with alarms, and remote start devices can rust in as little as a year and not ground out like they are suppose to. I had to wire brush mine clean again and then put some vasoline on the contact to prevent further rusting. I'm glad i wasn't down there with my hand near the fan belts!
If you have a remote start installed you might want to pop your hood and make sure the switch doesn't let the engine start. Just a precaution.
I think I'm going to look for a sealed switch to replace mine with.

 

wow maybe you should of left the keys on the front seat

 

No lie! I will next time. Although I feel fortunate to have learned that these hood pin switches can fail so early.

 

damn i would have been ting bricks!

 

yeah me too. im surprised it ran with no oil.

 

odd,
for years, i kept reading (in service manuals)
#1. disconnect the battery.

#2-99 blah-blah-blah.

seems that old tidbit of advice is wiser than time.


your so lucky it wasnt in gear.

 

i think its a waste 0f time t0 disc0nnect the battery just 4 an 0i1 change, sry my keyb0rd is messed up, spi11ed rum 0n it 1ast night

 

Is your truck an automatic or manual? I've known a few people who installed remote starts on manuals and had a few in gear accidents.

 

It's an automatic. Yeah disconnecting the battery would be wise however I hate resetting radio presets and clocks.

 

I too have a remote start and had it installed at a local car audio shop so I could get the lifetime warranty. They installed a simple little on/off switch in the cab that allows the remote start to be turned off for this very reason and obvious other occasions. Not sure what model remote start you have or if this is possible but I certainly enjoy the peace of mind knowing that my engine can't be cranked remotely whenever I am wrenching on it.

 

my cousin had a remote starter on a stick one time. He never had it start in gear, because he never parked it in gear. He sure was sad the day the e-brake cable snapped and the truck rolled down a hill into some old lady's car.

He ripped it out that day.