Q: Anti-theft light is on

asked by on February 24, 2016

The anti-theft light is on. It isn't blinking, but is a solid red.

If the anti-theft light is on, but not blinking, that signifies that the anti-theft system is armed, and ready to use. When it is activated, it will blink, and the vehicle will not start unless the correct key is used, or correct conditions are met, when starting the vehicle. If the light is on, and the vehicle is not starting, then that signifies you may be having a problem with the anti-theft system, or perhaps elsewhere. If the problem seems to be electrical in nature, I would recommend having a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose the vehicle to ensure the correct repairs are made.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What is the satellite radio electronic serial number and why do I need it?
While AM and FM stations are free to listen to, satellite radio (SIRIUS) is a paid service. In order to receive signal after the initial trial period is over, you’ll need to enroll with SIRIUS Radio. To do that, you’ll...
can a transmission suddenly stop working without warning??
Unless you have proof that the previous owner had the vehicle in for transmission problems before then it would be hard to prove anything. A vehicle may sit for a while and then start having problems also. The transmission will...
Ocassioanl stalling at idle, RPMs fluctuate at idle - 1995 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban
You either have a leaking injector (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-injector-replacement) that is dripping fuel after you shut off the engine and causing a flooded engine and will cause the hard start and erratic running conditions. You could also have a fuel pressure regulator...
Is it okay to drive 500 miles with a tire patch?
Hi, thanks for writing in. Depending on the severity of the surface area of the tire that has been patched and the location of the patch, this could be fine, but is not recommended. Sidewall patches are particularly vulnerable to...
Knocking noise from under the hood
Hi, thanks for writing in. There are many possible sources of the knocking noise you hear, especially with the advanced mileage on your vehicle. Most likely are worn connecting rod and crankshaft main bearings (will knock worse if you rev...
My car accelerates slowly when first taking off and jumps when it shifts gears. What could it be?
This may be related to low transmission fluid or potentially a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you may know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car's computer activates a...
I need the cylinder head replaced and intake manifold. How much does that usually cost
Hi There, What you are describing is something that can be repaired by a few different methods. Depending on whether or not there was any damage to the cylinder head and to what extent the damage is repairable will determine...
The turn signal blinks rapidly so I replaced and it worked ok but then blinked rapidly again after awhile then rapidly again.
What you are describing sounds like a bad turn signal flasher (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/hazard-turn-signal-flasher-replacement). The flasher unit is an electrical unit that is usually located under the hood and is wired with the turn signal lights. This flasher sends short intermittent bursts...
I am getting the code p1684 and I need to know how to fix it?
Hi there. Thanks for contacting us today. P1684 means that power to your powertrain control module (PCM) was interrupted. The most common cause of this is because of a weak battery. Anytime you start a car with a battery that...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for First Time Car Owners
Owning Owning your very first car is an exciting time in a person’s life. Likely you want to put a lot of thought and research into the process to ensure you get something that meets your needs, is fun to...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Gardener or Landscape Architect
Gardeners Gardeners and landscape architects need to haul around quite a bit of gear. As a gardener, chances are you will need to transport a variety of mowing equipment, along with smaller implements. You may also need to move shrubs,...
The Top 10 Most Problematic Cars
All cars have issues, from grinding brakes to gasket leaks. The Ford Explorer's and Honda Civic's bad transmissions rank them as the most problematic.