Deactivating Your Car’s Anti Theft Mode with a Key: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Modern cars feature digital dash messages to tell drivers of potential problems with their vehicle. If you see that the anti theft message is displayed on your dash, you will need to figure out how to get car out of anti theft mode with key if your fob won’t turn it off.

The anti theft feature on your vehicle is designed to send thieves running in several different ways. It comes with a loud alarm. There may be flashing lights to draw attention to the vehicle. Finally, if a potential thief gets into your car and attempts to override the ignition system, the vehicle will not start or move.

Overview of Vehicle Anti Theft Systems

If your car came with a fob, you have the tool you need to turn your anti theft system on and off. When the fob and vehicle don’t connect well, the anti theft system may engage.

If you start to lose range on your key fob, it’s likely that the battery is in need of replacement. A key fob that only works intermittently may be suffering a poorly placed battery; it may have suffered moisture damage or simply been bounced around too much. A replacement fob may be necessary.

Weather extremes in Denver, CO may have finished off your vehicle battery. If you get a new battery and try to start the car only to see a car with lock symbol or an anti theft light on your dash display, you may be unable to drive.

Before you try to figure out how to permanently disable anti theft system, know that there are several steps to help you understand how to reset anti theft system.

Common Triggers for Anti Theft Activation

Drivers who notice a loss of key fob range shouldn’t be surprised to see a notice from their anti theft system. If your anti theft system won’t let my car start, a new fob battery is a critical first step. You can save yourself a lot of hassle by getting the battery changed before it completely dies.

If your fob has been working very well and suddenly you get a security indicator light or a dashboard anti theft symbol car image, somebody may have tried to get into your vehicle. Check the condition of your door lock for damage.

Nearly all vehicles have a steering wheel lock that engages when the key is taken out. If you have to jiggle the wheel to get the key out, your ignition switch may be failing. Eventually, the security chip on your key may not align with the reader in the ignition. This is another repair or maintenance step that you want to take care of sooner rather than later. Get help to service theft deterrent system or the car won’t start at all.

Methods to Deactivate Anti Theft Mode Using a Key

Check the Keys

Check the keys themselves. Make sure your key doesn’t have a “V” on it. Valet keys are spares to be used to unlock the vehicle, but they are not designed to work in the ignition.

Unlock the Door with the Ignition Key

2. Once you have the right key, get out of the car and close the door. Put the ignition key in the door. Lock the car. Next, Put the ignition key into the door lock and turn it to the unlock position. Hold the key here for at least 30 seconds and release it.

Put the Ignition Key in the Ignition Switch

Get back in the car. Put the key in the ignition. Turn the key to the start position and leave it there for 15 minutes. This is an ideal time to consider how much weight you have on your key ring. If you have work and car keys on the same ring, consider separating them. If your keychain is loaded down with gems or doo-dads, remove them. Heavy key rings put a lot of pressure on your ignition switch over time.

Disconnecting and Reconnecting the Battery

Review the manual to find the location for your battery. Some vehicles have a battery cover, which may need to be removed before you can get to the cables. Your manual can also tell you how long you need to disconnect the power to reset any electrical system in your vehicle.

Put on some eye protection. Battery accidents are rare, but you don’t need to take any risks; battery acid is a dangerous corrosive. Your battery will have a red cable and a black cable. Don’t touch the red cable. Use a wrench to remove the black cable clamp from the battery and let the cable hang against the outside of the car for at least 15 minutes or for the time noted in your manual.

When the time is up, carefully reconnect the black battery cable to the post. It is critical that you don’t allow the black cable to touch the red connection post.

Troubleshooting Persistent Anti Theft Issues

If your anti theft system fails or locks up on you frequently, there’s something misfiring in your electrical system. Once you’ve been through all the steps of how to get car out of anti theft mode with key, it may be time to check the recall list for your make and model.

Review your manual for the location of your fuses. Take a look at the fuse panel that lives under the dash. Do you notice any signs of damage? Are there any loose wires or obvious disconnections? If you are not confident about how to change out fuses, don’t start pulling things apart. You could turn one small problem into several big ones. If the fix isn’t obvious, it may be time to call a professional.

The inconvenience of persistent anti theft issues is not the only issue to consider. Your vehicle security system glitch could cause you to be stranded in a dangerous situation. It could also be an indication of a more serious electrical issue.

When to Seek Professional Assistance

It’s time to call a professional once you’ve

• Checked or changed your vehicle battery
• Checked or changed your key fob battery
• Confirmed there’s nothing wrong with your door lock

If you’re putting the right key into a functioning ignition and it still isn’t turning off your anti theft system, you need a skilled professional to take a look at the system.

A knowledgeable locksmith may find that your door lock is internally damaged, triggering an on-going security notification. They may find that your door lock is fine and your ignition switch is failing, leading to an intermittent security lock-out.

Any intermittent vehicle failure is incredibly frustrating. A locksmith can help you chase down the issue, from the least expensive to the most costly. If you’ve been through all of the steps of how to get car out of anti theft mode with key and you still get locked out, you need a locksmith.

Preventative Measures to Avoid Future Anti Theft Activations

Check your vehicle battery. If it’s old, consider changing it. As soon as you notice that your vehicle is starting more slowly, change the battery as soon as you can.

Guard your keys and key fobs. Don’t overload your keyring. As soon as you notice that the range of your fob is decreasing, get the battery changed. If you get a notification from your dealership that there’s an update to your security system, take your vehicle in as soon as possible.

Try to park your vehicle in a brightly lit spot. Potential thieves will use dark corners and parking spots as a safe space to work on your door lock. When you leave your car, lock it and set the car alarm.

Key Takeaways

As soon as you see a dashboard anti theft symbol car notification, act. Try the door lock trick, then move to the ignition switch. If you have a set of keys that includes a valet key, make sure it’s clearly marked so you don’t try to start the car with a valet key.

The process of unhooking your black battery cable is much tougher to manage in the dark. If you’ve been through all the steps related to how to get car out of anti theft mode with key and you still can’t get the vehicle going, call a professional.