Your car is installed with anti-theft systems to prevent your car from getting stolen. They are designed to work via an electrical circuit disconnecting to prevent current from flowing. This will make the car either not start or die immediately. An anti-theft system may also be installed with a car alarm that will go off if it finds anything wrong.
Sometimes, your anti-theft system may get the wrong signal or malfunction making the anti-theft lights stay on. This can be because of many reasons and having them on will disable you from using your car properly. This article explains what to do when your anti theft light stays on, so read on!
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What To Do When My Anti Theft Light Stays On?
When you find that your anti theft light is on without any trigger, you can conclude that there is some underlying issue with your cars like a dead car battery that loses its key memory or a dead battery in your remote. Another reason that can cause your anti-theft light to switch on is when the immobilizer chip is damaged in your key or the car door lock is damaged. Whatever is the cause, you must take the necessary steps to switch it off as soon as you see that anti theft light stays on. Here are some steps you can follow to switch it off.
1. Check Your Key And Cylinder
The first method you can follow if you notice that your anti theft light stays on is checking your key and cylinder.
Step 1: Check Your Key Fob Battery
Your car’s anti theft light system can activate if your key fob battery is dead and hasn’t disabled the system. Thus you have to make sure if the battery is installed correctly in your key fob. If you notice no misplacement of the battery, replace it with a fresh one and try again.
Step 2: Check Your Door Lock Cylinder
In case of there was any act to forcefully open your car door, in an attempt to steal it or break into it, the anti-theft lights will go on for sure if your car is equipped with them.
If the anti theft light stays on, you may have to check for any damage to the lock cylinder or under the door handle. If they are damaged, you would have to get them replaced by a mechanic.
Step 3: Check If You Are Using The Proper Key To Start
If you are not using proper keys for your car, your anti-theft light will go on and stay that way. So check if you are using the proper cat key to start your vehicle.
2. Turn The Ignition On
Sometimes if your anti theft light goes on, it will lock your engine which won’t allow you to start the car.
Step 1: Check For The Anti-Theft Light
If you don’t know where it is located, you can find it on the dashboard. They most probably will be blue or red.
Step 2: Turn The Ignition To The “On” Position
Insert your car keys in the ignition and turn it on. This won’t start your car but will start the other accessories. Leave your car so, for about 10-15 minutes.
Step 3: Check The Anti-Theft Light Again
Check the anti-theft lights again and if you find that they are no longer on, you can switch your car off and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. This is to allow your car’s system to reset or otherwise you will find it difficult to start your car.
Step 4: Start The Engine
After waiting for a few minutes, try starting your engine. If your car is still hesitant to start you may have to check if your car battery is drained.
Step 5: Repeat The Process
After checking to see if your car battery is fine, you can try repeating the whole process and see if the light goes off.
3. Use The Key In Your Car Door
The next method you can use when you find that your anti theft left is on is using the key in your car door.
Step 1: Insert Your Key In The Lock On The Door
Use the driver’s side door and the physical key even if your vehicle has a keyless entry system.
Step 2: Turn The Key
Now turn the key to unlock the car door but do not release it. You must hold the key in the position for about 20 to 30 seconds. This would allow the system to know that you are using the correct key. This will allow you to bypass the alarm system. Some vehicles are capable of recognizing the key by simply turning the key back and forth in the door lock key cylinder. A tip you can follow to turn off the anti-theft system is by turning the keys both ways fully.
Step 3: Try To Start The Engine
Remove the key and try starting your car’s engine. You have to make sure that you left the key cylinder in the unlocked position.
Conclusion
An anti theft system that does not allow your car to run properly can of course be a nuisance. Of course, the anti-theft system will act as your saviour in the event of a crime. But that wouldn’t make any difference when the anti theft light is on not letting you operate your car properly. It will cause you a great deal of inconvenience.
There are however several methods that let you switch off the anti-theft system and its light. A few methods and their steps are explained in detail in this article. Following them carefully will help you resolve the inconvenient situation caused by the anti-theft lights that stay on. If your car still refuses to start or if you find that the anti-theft lights are still on after trying all the methods and its steps carefully, you have to take your car to a mechanic. Get your car checked by a professional mechanic to determine what the issue is with your anti-theft lights or if your car is suffering from some other underlying issue that is preventing your car from starting.