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How to Install a Car Alarm
Whether you just bought a used vehicle without an alarm or just decided to opt for the extra security, installing an alarm system into your car is never a bad idea. There are a number of practical benefits, and in...
How to Find a GPS Tracker in Your Car in 5 Steps
Using the right tools and methods, check the exterior and interior to find a GPS tracking device in your car
How to Unfreeze Door Locks
Frozen door locks are a pain when you need to hit the road. Don't use hot water to fix frozen door locks. A hair dryer or de-icer is a better fix
Industry News for Automotive Techs: October 29 - November 4
Toyota and Getaround's smartphone key, future McLaren cars, DMCA car hacking, a fire at Ford's headquarters, and Chevrolet's SEMA 2016 show cars.
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How Long Does a Door Lock Actuator Last?
The The door lock actuator locks and unlocks your vehicle’s doors. The lock buttons are located on each of the doors, with a master switch on the driver’s door. Once the button is pressed, it triggers the actuator, allowing the...
How to Report a Vehicle Break-In
Having Having someone go through the contents of your car and take your personal belongings is a huge violation of your privacy. The act of breaking into a home or vehicle with the intent to commit a crime or theft...
How to Prevent Having Your Car Broken Into
Aside Aside from having your car stolen (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-prevent-having-your-car-stolen), having someone break into your car is perhaps one of the most violating things that can happen to your vehicle. Just knowing that someone has broken into your car, looked through your...
How to Disable OnStar
OnStar (https://www.onstar.com/us/en/home.html) is a subscription-based service that provides remote vehicle diagnostics, communications, security, and other features for vehicles. The company is a subsidiary of General Motors, and is popular for capabilities like turn-by-turn navigation, hands-free calling, and as a surveillance...
How to Get a Replacement Car Key
Lost car keys can be extremely frustrating. Try to find missing keys first, then call a local locksmith to see if they can make a replacement car key.
How to Shut Off the Anti-Theft Device in Your Car
Dead batteries and damaged immobilizer chips can cause anti-theft devices to stop working properly. Here are three ways to shut off your car alarm.
How to Disable a Car Alarm
Car alarms can be shut off by starting the car, unlocking the car door, or disconnecting the battery. Maintain your key fob to cancel future alarms.
Industry News for Automotive Techs: October 22-28
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Top Automotive News & Stories: August 13-19
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5 Essential Things to Know About Car Alarms
Car Car alarms are an essential tool for keeping your vehicle safe from thieves. However, making sure you understand the options available can make a huge difference in how effective it is. Below, you’ll find five essential things to know...
How to Keep Your Car Safe When It’s Parked
It’s It’s reasonable to worry about your car when you park it in a foreign place, especially if that place doesn’t seem particularly friendly. Sometimes the thought of leaving a car in a vulnerable situation hinders us completely. But learning...
How to Pick an Alarm For Your Car
Your vehicle is an important part of your everyday life. It is important to protect your vehicle from damage and burglary (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-prevent-having-your-car-stolen) using a car alarm. A car alarm is an excellent investment towards your vehicle’s security. It can: Prevent...
How to Keep Your Vehicle Safe From Theft
With With over a million cars stolen each year in the US, vehicle theft has become a concern for vehicle owners. Fortunately, you can increase the chances of keeping your vehicle safe from theft by taking a few simple steps,...

Related questions

Security system
The chip key (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-replace-a-car-key) will not work unless it was programmed to work on your 2001 Toyota Solara. You will have to have the key reprogrammed to work with your car or the anti-theft system will not be turned off....
question
The security system warning light should not illuminate once the vehicle is started and you are driving. If the light does illuminate, that means there is a malfunction in the security system. Obviously, if this problem started immediately after you...
How do I use the Car Finder feature?
We’ve all been there before. You park in front of the store and go inside to do your shopping. After you check out, you exit the store, only to find that you’ve forgotten where you parked. Your car has a...
Car won't start
If you have a key fob with a good battery, you should be able to toggle the alarm on and off. If your car is Passlock equipped you could try the 30 minute re-learn procedure. You will go through three...
Car not starting
If you are having an issue with the security system, the security light on the dash should light up. I would have the battery tested (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-is-dead-inspection). A dead battery can cause all kinds of computer issues. If you find that...
Battery keeps dying out
Hello. Typically when these symptoms occur with the security light on, it is always the ignition switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-switch-replacement) that is causing this. It can also be a short in the electrical system, but most of the time, it is caused...
Battery draining.
Your Saturn does not have any direct relation between the door locks and the anti-theft system from the factory. If you are having issues with both of these systems in the vehicle simultaneously and the battery is draining then it...
Security light flashes rapidly trying to start truck everything comes on but it won't start
You may still be in lockout and the security system is keeping you from starting the car. When the car was entered without the key, it no doubt triggered the immobilizer and that will have to be reset. It's might...
My car won't start after a break-in & attempted theft.
When someone breaks in the vehicle, the Immobilizer system shows that the doors were locked from the outside. When the doors are ajar from the outside when locked, the security would set so the vehicle could not be stolen. Look...
I think the immobilizer has gone on.
The engine will not start when the immobilizer system is active. Check the key to the vehicle and see if there is a remote to it. If there is a remote, then I suggest replacing the battery in the remote...
Security light; car won't start
Often times when the ignition is replaced the security system will need to reprogrammed to recognize that a component has been legitimately replaced and that the vehicle is not being stolen. I would ask one of the mechanics at YourMechanic...
How does the vehicle security system work?
If your car is equipped with a vehicle security system rather than the Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer system, it’s important to know a few things about how it works. When properly armed, the system will flash the car’s lights and honk...
Car won't turn on
Hello, thank you for writing in. I am sorry to hear about your situation! The very first thing to do is check the owner's manual for any information about the anti-theft system (if you have not already done so). If...
Car won't start
Hi, thanks for writing in. The first thing to do is to check all the fuses (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-fuse) that deal with the battery and the ignition system. There is a possibility while changing the terminals one or more of the fuses...
Car not starting
If you are having an issue with the security system, the security light on the dash should light up. I would have the battery tested (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-is-dead-inspection). A dead battery can cause all kinds of computer issues. If you find that...
Battery is good, but car won't start
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 1992 Oldsmobile Toronado. My guess is that the problem is in the security system. The PASS key module looks for the resistor pellet on the side of the key. If it determines...
Battery ?
On some car alarm systems, if battery voltage drops below a threshold, the alarm goes off. In your circumstance, you should have the battery load tested (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-is-dead-inspection) to rule the battery in or out as a possible cause. The security...
All my warning indicator's are on and the car won't start 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Hi there - the security system is intentionally invoked after a battery replacement. Turn the ignition key to the "On/Run" position, and leave it for 10-15 minutes in this position. The security light will go out, then you can start...
2004 Chevrolet Impala SS Security Light
Either the key fob remote's battery is going out causing the immobilizer system to trip the security or the immobilizer system control is not responding. I recommend replacing the battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-replacement) in the key fob remote and programming the remote...
Anti theft module, ECU and ignition switch 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
Hi there - this may be more a matter of the equipment availability to "program" anti-theft components. Most mechanics do not have access to anti-theft/security components in the vehicle. These are only available to dealers licensed by that manufacturer. This...

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