Do you have a car with a lock symbol light on?
Have you ever seen something like a “car with a lock icon” on your dashboard and your car won’t start? You’re definitely not alone. But what exactly is the problem?
In this article, we’ll explain the 5 common reasons why you might see this symbol and give you some possible solutions you can try before going to a repair shop. What does the lock symbol on your car mean? There are several variations of the lock symbol that you can see on your dashboard. Usually the light is connected to the immobilizer.
Before immobilizers were introduced, cars were very susceptible to theft if someone wanted your car. This could happen if a thief wired your car. Sometimes just plugging a screwdriver into the ignition is enough. The immobilizer system is designed to prevent both scenarios.
Why your car has a lock symbol
Not all reasons for a car with a lock symbol are bad. For those of you who do, we have listed some solutions that you can try yourself before taking your car to a repair shop.
1) You locked your car
When you lock your vehicle, a small red light flashes periodically. The light looks like a car with a padlock or key on it. This light indicates that the vehicle is locked and the security system is armed. In this state, the vehicle cannot be started without a valid key.
Unlocking the vehicle from inside when this light is flashing may set off the car alarm. Be aware that if you lock your car from the outside with the windows down and then reach through the window to unlock it from the inside, this may set off your car alarm.
2) Immobilizer issues
The immobilizer system consists of a computer, ignition or lock cylinder, key, and transponder. If any of these systems don’t work, you may see a warning light such as “key not recognized”, a car and lock icon, or a car with a key icon. The warning light is usually yellow or red.
If there is a problem with the immobilizer system, it is very likely that you will not be able to start your vehicle, even if it is in working order. This is a security measure to prevent your vehicle from being stolen if someone tries to start it.
3) Key not recognized
You can’t start your car with a key that the car doesn’t recognize. The most common reason for a key not being recognized is a low battery. Try replacing the battery in your key fob to see if that fixes the issue. Key fob batteries usually last about a year, but in some cases they can last longer.
Some key fobs come with a physical backup key in case the battery dies. Some keys are designed so that you can start your vehicle by pressing the back or side of the key against the ignition button. This feature is available on some models with push-button start.
Search online for examples of how to start your car with a dead key battery, as the process varies for each make and model. YouTube is a good source of such videos.
4) Ignition Issues
In some vehicles, the transponder may be located inside the ignition lock. If you have a faulty ignition, your key may not be recognized properly even if the key fob has new batteries.
Vehicles that came with older keys that need to be turned in the lock cylinder can cause mechanical components in the ignition to wear out over time. This is more likely if your key is old and worn, or if you have a heavy key hanging out of the ignition while driving.
If your key is stuck in the ignition, try shaking it and the steering wheel back and forth at the same time to see if you can turn the key in the ignition. If this trick works, you should consider replacing the ignition before the problem gets worse.
5) Key Not Programmed
If you recently purchased a new key, it will not work with your vehicle until it is programmed.
Each key must be programmed into your vehicle before it can start, which is not a process that consumers can easily perform themselves. While professional, specialty diagnostic tools may have the functionality required to reprogram keys, cheaper consumer diagnostic tools typically do not have this capability.