Vehicle remote communication system command verification method

A vehicle remote communication system, comprising:

• a remote transmitter having at least one pushbutton, said remote transmitter operable to transmit an activation signal;
• a receiver module mounted in a vehicle, said receiver module operable to receive said activation signal from said remote transmitter;
• a control module mounted in said vehicle;
• a communications bus mounted in said vehicle and connecting said receiver module and said control module;
• and
• at least one vehicle system in communication with said control module, whereby said receiver module and said control module validate said activation signal by transmitting a first message from said receiver module along said communication bus, said first message received by said control module, transmitting an acknowledgment message from said control module along said. communication bus, said acknowledgment message received by said receiver module, and re-transmitting said first message from said receiver module along said communication bus, said re-transmitted first message received by said control module, thereby preventing an inadvertent activation of said at least one vehicle system.

A method for remote starting a vehicle in response to pushbutton commands from a remote transmitter, said vehicle including a receiver module coupled to a powertrain control module via a communication bus, said method comprising the steps of:

• said receiver module detecting said pushbutton commands indicative of a desire to remotely start said vehicle;
• said receiver module transmitting a remote start request message to said powertrain control module via said bus;
• said powertrain control module transmitting a request acknowledgment message to said receiver module via said bus in response to said remote start request message;
• said receiver module transmitting a confirmation message to said powertrain control module via said bus in response to said request acknowledgment message;
• and
• said powertrain control module initiating starting of said vehicle in response to said confirmation message.