How to Get Car Out of Anti Theft Mode With Key Easily

Introduction

You get into your car, flick the switch and nothing occurs – perhaps a blinking immobilizer lamp, or a blaring horn. It is a very frustrating experience being locked out of your own car as a result of its security feature that can derail your whole day. The security systems on modern vehicles are so good at stopping hotwiring as well as scaring away thieves, but sometimes they will think that you are trying to start the engine, and that you are a security risk. This typically occurs because of a dying battery, a malfunction in the computer of the vehicle or a broken transponder chip within your key fob. Luckily, you do not necessarily have to call a costly tow truck or an auto locksmith to eliminate this situation. The secret of making your car immobilizer work is that you can usually bypass the immobilizer in your driveway, because you know how the mechanics of the immobilizer work. This is precisely how to take a car out of anti theft mode with key using basic, manufacturer approved, troubleshooting techniques.

Learn about Your Anti-Theft System.

Before taking any precautionary measures, it is always good to know what is going on behind your dashboard. The majority of the modern cars have a passive anti-theft system (PATS) or a smart immobilizer. As you put your key into the ignition, the computer in the car transmits a radio frequency signal to the transponder chip on the plastic head of your key. When the chip responds with the right encrypted code, the engine control module (ECM) will allow the fuel pump and starter to operate. The system enters into lockdown in case of the wrong code, or in case a dead battery interferes with the signal. Be it your car is a rough daily driver or you need the car to be in glossywise and just on a weekend outing car show, the logic behind the internal security is virtually the same in most of the major car makers. The first step in diagnosing the problem and implementing the proper procedure to reset your flashing security light is to recognize that it is flashing on your dashboard.

Method 1: Door Lock Cylinder Reset.

The physical door lock cylinder on the driver side is the most common and effective method of having to disarm an active security system. This is a trick that the computer of the vehicle will be convinced that you have the original, physically cut key. With just a simple insertion of your key into the door lock of the driver side. Turn the key to the unlock position and leave it in that position, without compromising approximately 30 seconds. With this position of the key, a continuous bypass signal is sent to the factory alarm module. After 30 seconds, turn the key back to the neutral center position, and then turn it to the “unlock” position one more time. Unscrew the key of the door, enter the vehicle and attempt to start the engine. In most instances, such a manual override can clear the security fault and normal ignition sequence can take place.

Trick 2: Ignition Cycle Trick.

In case the door lock technique does not work, the second option is to re-program the system by direct use of the ignition cylinder. This is a somewhat patient process, because it obliges the computer to re-read the transponder chip of the key in a long time. Plug your key into the ignition and turn it to the on position–the click just before the engine actually starts, at which point your dashboard lights will be on and your radio will boot up. Do not bother to start the motor. Keep the key at this same spot, between 10-15 minutes. When this occurs, watch your anti-theft light on your dashboard keenly. When the light begins to stop blinking, and is fully off, then return the key to the Off position. Allow the car to rest about two minutes so that the computer can re-read the reset and then attempt to start the engine by turning the key. Should the vehicle continue to fail to start, it might be necessary to repeat this very process twice more in order to fully reset the factory.

Method 3: Hard Battery Reset.

In some cases, after the anti-theft system has been frozen due to electronic glitches, power cycling the engine control module can be an effective solution. The battery terminal will be necessary to be loosened with a simple wrench in order to do a hard battery reset. Snap on your hood and find the battery to your car. You must loosen the nut in the negative terminal of the battery (which is always marked with a minus sign, and will have a black cable) and remove the cable totally off the battery post. Ensure that the cable is bent out of the way and that it does not come in contact with the metal post. Disconnect the battery at least 15-20 minutes. This empties any remaining power of the electronic modules of the vehicle and essentially erases temporary error codes and re-sets the alarm system. Re-attach the negative line, screw it tightly and attempt to start your vehicle. Remember that this will probably set your radio presets and dashboard clock to zero.

Avoiding Future Immobilizer Problems.

After you have successfully started your vehicle, then it is essential to deal with the cause of the lockdown so that it does not recur in the future. A fading battery in your key fob is the most typical offender, it dilutes the strength of the transponder signal; every two years it is a good idea to change the battery in your fob. Besides, make sure that your main car battery is healthy since the voltage weakening during cold mornings may result in false security alarms. When your physical key is very scratched and bent, have a new copy re-cut and programmed by a reputed locksmith, because a damaged key may not fit well into the ignition cylinder to fit the chip with the reader. While proactively undertaking these simple maintenance steps would not leave you stranded by your very own security system in the future.

How to Turn On/Off the Anti Theft Mode of a Car with a Key?

Why has my car all of a sudden gone into the anti-theft mode?

The most common causes include dead or dying key fob battery, weak main vehicle battery, an attempt to use an unprogrammed duplicate key or a temporary software glitch in the engine control module. When the system is unable to read the transponder chip in your key, it will automatically think that you are stealing the vehicle and will power down the ignition sequence.

Is it possible to permanently disable factory anti-theft system of my car?

Although you can find aftermarket bypass modules, it is strongly discouraged to permanently disable your factory immobilizer. That way, your car is at an extremely high risk of theft and your auto insurance policy will be invalidated. It is never advisable to deactivate the security system by removing it instead of fixing the problem that causes it to go off i.e. replacing a defective key fob or ignition cylinder.

Will anti-theft system be re-set by disconnecting the battery?

Yep, unplugging the negative battery terminal, and letting go of it 15-20 minutes will empty the remaining power in the vehicle computers and give it a hard reset. This will tend to clear off temporary anti-theft glitches, but will also delete your saved radio stations, Bluetooth settings, and clock settings.

What to do in case none of the key reset methods do not work?

When you have already tried the door lock cylinder reset, the ignition cycle trick and the battery disconnect trick but to no avail, then it may be mechanical hardware failure. Your key probably has a fully dead transponder chip, your ignition reader coil is broken or your engine computer is malfunctioning. At this point, you will be required to call a mobile auto locksmith or tow the car to a dealership and have it professionally tested through diagnostic procedure and reprogrammed.