First of all, that’s perfectly fine because that’s just how your car’s anti-theft system is designed to behave. Most modern cars are equipped with an anti-theft system that helps keep your car safe from theft and vandalism.
Usually, the system is represented by a dashboard light that will behave in different ways, depending on whether the engine is turned on or off.
For example, if the engine is turned on, it will flash briefly(for about three seconds) at intervals. This indicates that the anti-theft system is engaged and working perfectly well.
But if the engine is turned off, it will blink throughout until you turn the ignition on. You may wonder why does my theft light blink when the car is off?
As said earlier, this dashboard indicator is designed to blink when the engine is turned off. The reason for that is to warn potential thieves and vandals that the car is equipped with an anti-theft system, discouraging them from stealing or vandalizing your car.
However, if it’s blinking and the engine isn’t turning on when you try to turn it on, that usually means that the anti-theft system has mistakenly immobilized your car. This usually happens due to several reasons, which include but are not limited to the following;
- Your car key.
- Your car’s electrical circuitry that’s connected to the anti-theft system.
- Your car battery.
- Your car’s computer system.
Contents
More About the Possible Causes
Your Car Key
The key is usually the number one culprit of this problem. You see, your car key has an in-built chip that sends a code to the anti-theft system when you insert it into the ignition.
If the key is broken, that may lead to chip failure. Consequently, the system won’t receive the necessary code when you try to turn on the engine, using the broken key. Meaning the car won’t start.
Possible Solution: Use a spare key to start the car. If you have none, you’ll need to first repair the damaged key, using the services of a professional.
Your Car’s Electrical Circuitry That Is Connected To the Anti-Theft System
If the problem is not the key, it could be the electrical circuitry, which the anti-theft system is reliant upon. You see, your car’s anti-theft system mechanism involves an electrical circuit that automatically disconnects if the computer detects suspicious activity.
This cuts off the power supply to the engine, making it impossible to start the car.
Possible Solution: If your anti-theft system is factory-installed, tow the car to your dealer’s service center to have the broken circuit fixed.
This is because factory-installed anti-theft systems often have very complex circuitry, making it difficult for criminals to fix or bypass them to steal the affected cars.
Your Car Battery
Battery failure is another major culprit of this problem. If it’s dead or too low, the circuitry for the anti-theft system will be disrupted. Consequently, the engine’s computer will not be able to receive the code sent by the chip embedded inside the key.
Possible Solution: Check the battery connections to fix loose connections, if any. Also, check and repair or replace faulty alternator rusty diodes, if any. Thereafter, try jump-starting the car, and hopefully, this will help start the engine.
Your Car’s Computer System
Sometimes it’s just your car’s computer system that is having trouble interpreting the code. In that case, what you should do is reset the computer or the anti-theft system.
Another thing you can do is to turn the ignition on, using a certain technique as shown below;
Solution #1: Reset the computer by;
Disconnecting the positive terminal of the battery for a short moment( say 1 or 2 minutes).
Reconnecting it and making sure that both terminals(i.e the anode and cathode terminals) are tightly attached.
Solution #2: Reset the anti-theft system by;
Activating its built-in kill switch.
Solution #3: Turning the ignition on, using this clever technique;
- Insert the key in the ignition slot.
- Turn it to the right only slightly, keeping it in that position for some minutes(say 10 minutes or a little more), and that’s it. This should bypass the problem and allow you to start the car.
How Do I Get My Car Out Of Anti-Theft Mode?
Although there are many methods to do so, here are the two most simple ones;
- Use your key fob: Each time you enter your car using the key fob, the anti-theft mode turns off.
- Unlock the door with the regular key: If the key fob isn’t effective, use the metal key to get your car out of the anti-theft mode. Simply unlock the door with the key since each time you unlock the door, you turn off the anti-theft mode.
What Are the Costs To Fix This Problem?
The costs depend on the root cause of the problem. For example, if it’s a circuitry issue, you can expect to pay between $100 and $ 2000, depending on the car and service center.
Or if it’s a bad alternator, replacing this component will set you back $290-$680, again, depending on the car and the service provider.
Can An Anti-Theft System Drain the Car’s Battery?
The short answer is no. This is because the system uses a very insignificant amount of power compared to what your 12V car battery is generating.
Conclusion
Your car’s anti-theft system is designed to protect your car from thieves and vandalists. The security light on the dashboard indicates that this system is engaged.
It’s designed to flash briefly at specific intervals when the engine is running. But when the engine is turned off, it’s supposed to blink throughout to warn and discourage potential criminals from coming close to your car.
