{"id":3902,"date":"2024-11-08T07:38:44","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T15:38:44","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp-site\/?p=3902"},"modified":"2024-11-21T00:50:55","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T08:50:55","slug":"security-light","status":"publish","type":"car-repair","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/car-repair\/security-light\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Do If Your Car\u2019s Security Indicator Light Is On"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Your car\u2019s security indicator light means there may be a problem with the anti-theft system, especially if you\u2019re not able to turn the car on. First, try turning your car on with a backup key to reset the system.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-jerry-key-takeaway border-primary flex flex-col rounded bg-gray-50 p-6 border-l-0\"><div class=\"flex flex-col md:block md:space-x-1\"><span class=\"has-primary-color text-lg font-semibold\">QUICK LOOK<\/span><span class=\"text-gray-900 text-base\"><\/span><\/div><div class=\"jerry-block-content\" contentclassname=\"text-gray-900 text-base\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In some cars, the security indicator light blinks to show that your anti-theft system is active, but a steady security light could mean problems with your key fob or car battery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The security light always includes a picture of a car and a key and usually lights up red or gold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If a backup key doesn\u2019t reset your car\u2019s anti-theft system, head to a mechanic or your car\u2019s dealership to reprogram your car keys.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"container-lazyload preview-lazyload container-youtube js-lazyload--not-loaded\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/qraGv9eLxo0\" class=\"lazy-load-youtube preview-lazyload preview-youtube\" data-video-title=\"What to Do if Your Car&#039;s Security Light Is On\" title=\"Play video &quot;What to Do if Your Car&#039;s Security Light Is On&quot;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/qraGv9eLxo0<\/a><noscript>Video can&#8217;t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/qraGv9eLxo0\" title=\"What to Do if Your Car&#039;s Security Light Is On\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What to Do if Your Car&#039;s Security Light Is On (https:\/\/youtu.be\/qraGv9eLxo0)<\/a><\/noscript><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"security-indicator-dashboard-light-what-it-means\">Security indicator dashboard light: What it means<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The security light on your dashboard\u2014also known as the anti-theft light\u2014indicates the status of your car\u2019s anti-theft system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flashing security indicator light<\/strong>: In some cars, the security indicator light flashes while the ignition switch is in OFF, LOCK, or ACC to show that the immobilizer and car alarm systems are active.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Steady security indicator light<\/strong>: If the security light turns on and stays on when the engine is running, there\u2019s a fault in the anti-theft system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can\u2019t start the car\u2019s engine with the security indicator light on, then there\u2019s definitely a problem with your car\u2019s anti-theft system. Here are a few possible causes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Car battery failure caused the computer to lose track of your smart key<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/car-repair\/why-does-my-key-fob-not-work-after-replacing-the-battery\/\">Key fob malfunction<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Locking or unlocking issues<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The bottom line<\/strong>: A steadily illuminated security light means that your car doesn\u2019t trust the key you\u2019re using to start the car. While the immobilizer security system could have been triggered by an attempted theft, it\u2019s usually a result of a battery problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-the-security-indicator-dashboard-light-looks-like\">What the security indicator dashboard light looks like<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like most dashboard warning lights, the security light can look different from car to car, but it always consists of two components\u2014a car and a key or lock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for one of these three symbols illuminated in gold or red light:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An outline of a car with a key in place of the back wheel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A car head-on linked with a padlock<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A car with a key in the center<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Keep in mind<\/strong>: Just like your check engine light and other warning lights, the security light will illuminate briefly when you turn your car on. That\u2019s called a bulb check\u2014it helps you to identify symbols and catch burnt-out lights on your instrument cluster before driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-turn-off-your-dashboard-security-light\">How to turn off your dashboard security light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If your security light is on and you can\u2019t turn the car on<\/strong>: Start by trying another key if you have one. In most cases, the security light means that the car no longer recognizes the key you\u2019re using, so you may be able to reset the system by using a different key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have a few options if you still get a no-start with the second key and the light is still on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tow your car to your dealership to program a new key for your car.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Call a trusted mechanic to help you identify the issue and reprogram the anti-theft system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-cta\"><div class=\"flex flex-col items-start gap-4 rounded-xl border border-zinc-200 px-12 py-8 md:flex-row md:items-center md:gap-14\"><div class=\"flex-1\"><span class=\"text-xl font-black text-gray-900\">YOU\u2019RE MINUTES AWAY FROM SIMPLIFIED CAR MAINTENANCE<\/span><\/div><div class=\"flex-1\"><a href=\"\/signup\/addcaryear?service=garage\" class=\"bg-primary block w-full rounded-full px-14 py-2 text-center font-black text-white hover:no-underline\">Get Started for Free<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"!mbs-12 !mbe-12 wp-block-jerry-faqs wp-block-jerry-faqs\">\n  <!-- Title -->\n    <h2 class=\"medium-title text-black mb-1.5 pt-12 uppercase\">\n    FAQ  <\/h2>\n  \n  <!-- Accordion -->\n  \n<div class=\"max-w-screen-lg my-6 [&amp;_li:last-child]:border-b-0\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-jerry-accordion\">\n<li class=\"font-circular flex cursor-pointer list-none flex-col items-start gap-1 border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 md:flex-row md:gap-5 wp-block-jerry-accordion-item font-circular flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-start border-b border-zinc-200 py-6 text-lg text-slate-500 is-style-accordion-item-box wp-block-jerry-accordion-item\" data-wp-interactive=\"accordion-item\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onInit\">\n  <!-- Accessory -->\n  \n  <div class=\"flex flex-1 flex-col text-gray-600\">\n    <div class=\"flex flex-row items-start justify-between gap-4\">\n      <!-- Title -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-q align-middle text-black font-medium\">\n        What does the car lock light team?      <\/span>\n\n      <!-- Icon -->\n      <span class=\"accordion-i text-black font-medium mr-4 mt-1 shrink-0 align-middle transition iconify i--chevron-down\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Content -->\n    \n<div class=\"jerry-block-content accordion-a mt-5 hidden\">\n<p>The light on your dashboard with a car and a lock is the security indicator light. It generally indicates an issue with the car\u2019s anti-theft immobilizer system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n  <!-- Contact link -->\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jerry-meet-experts\" data-wp-interactive=\"jerry\/meet-experts\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;modalVisible&quot;:false}\">\n  <div class=\"font-circular text-2xl font-extrabold text-slate-900\">Expert-driven. 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Facts are thoroughly researched, verified and kept\n      current, and our editorial team is separate from our business partners, so our opinions &#038; tips are unbiased. All\n      insights drawn from Jerry\u2019s proprietary, aggregated customer auto insurance quotes data provide unique, real-world\n      guidance.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"text-base font-semibold text-gray-900\">Our experts<\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"my-8 flex flex-col gap-8 items-center justify-center\">\n          <div\n        class=\"meet-experts-item group relative flex h-auto w-full flex-none flex-col justify-between overflow-hidden rounded-3xl py-9 text-sm shadow-variant-card\"\n        data-expand=\"false\"\n        data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onItemInit\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"grid h-full w-full grid-cols-1 overflow-hidden px-8 md:grid-cols-4\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/R.E.-Fulton.png\" class=\"size-16 rounded-full md:size-32 col-span-1 md:ml-4\" alt=\"meet-experts-thumbnail\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/R.E.-Fulton.png 250w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/R.E.-Fulton-150x150.png 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/R.E.-Fulton-56x56.png 56w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/R.E.-Fulton-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 260px, (max-width: 576px) 432px, (max-width: 720px) 540px, (min-width: 720px) 250px, 100vw\" fetchpriority=\"low\"\/>\n          <div class=\"col-span-3\">\n            <div class=\"my-4 flex-1 content-center font-circular text-lg font-medium text-slate-900 md:mt-0\">\n              R.E. Fulton            <\/div>\n\n                          <ul class=\"font-circular text-slate-700 mb-3 jerry-meet-experts flex flex-col md:flex-row\">\n                                  <li class=\"flex items-center mb-2 md:mr-2\">\n                    <span class=\"iconify i--shield-check text-base text-primary mr-2 min-w-4\"><\/span>\n                    <div class=\"jerry-block-content truncate\"><p>Licensed Insurance Agent<\/p><\/div>\n                  <\/li>\n                              <\/ul>\n            \n            <div class=\"text-slate-500 mt-2 leading-6\">\n              <p>R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.\u2019s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views. As a senior writer on Jerry\u2019s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry\u2019s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.<\/p>            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute hidden group-data-[expand=true]:flex bottom-0 w-full h-24 bg-gradient-to-t from-white from-30% to-transparent to-100% items-end justify-center\">\n          <div\n            class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-center gap-2 my-4 font-circular text-primary\"\n            data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.onItemExpandClick\"\n          >\n            <span class=\"text-sm\">See more<\/span>\n            <span class=\"iconify i--chevron-down text-xs\"><\/span>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n          <div\n        class=\"meet-experts-item group relative flex h-auto w-full flex-none flex-col justify-between overflow-hidden rounded-3xl py-9 text-sm shadow-variant-card\"\n        data-expand=\"false\"\n        data-wp-init=\"callbacks.onItemInit\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"grid h-full w-full grid-cols-1 overflow-hidden px-8 md:grid-cols-4\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache.png\" class=\"size-16 rounded-full md:size-32 col-span-1 md:ml-4\" alt=\"meet-experts-thumbnail\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache.png 250w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache-150x150.png 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache-56x56.png 56w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Pat-Roache-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 260px, (max-width: 576px) 432px, (max-width: 720px) 540px, (min-width: 720px) 250px, 100vw\" fetchpriority=\"low\"\/>\n          <div class=\"col-span-3\">\n            <div class=\"my-4 flex-1 content-center font-circular text-lg font-medium text-slate-900 md:mt-0\">\n              Pat Roache            <\/div>\n\n            \n            <div class=\"text-slate-500 mt-2 leading-6\">\n              <p>Pat Roache is an insurance writer with over two years of experience in the automotive industry. With a focus on car insurance, maintenance, and brand reviews, Pat\u2019s mission is to create engaging and accessible content that empowers readers to take autonomy over their car ownership. As a writer and editor with Jerry, Pat has penned over 600 original articles and edited over 1,000. Pat\u2019s 8+ years of experience in the performing arts as a writer, director, producer, and performer lend to their keen eye for research and presentation. Most recently, Pat\u2019s new English translation of Donizetti\u2019s Italian opera \u201cD[x]n Pasquale\u201d had its world premiere in 2022 with Opera MODO (Detroit, MI). Pat also writes grants for an LGBTQ arts non-profit in Chicago, IL.<\/p>            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute hidden group-data-[expand=true]:flex bottom-0 w-full h-24 bg-gradient-to-t from-white from-30% to-transparent to-100% items-end justify-center\">\n          <div\n            class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-row items-center gap-2 my-4 font-circular text-primary\"\n            data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.onItemExpandClick\"\n          >\n            <span class=\"text-sm\">See more<\/span>\n            <span class=\"iconify i--chevron-down text-xs\"><\/span>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A lit security light indicates a problem in the car\u2019s anti-theft immobilizer system. Try a new key or go to a mechanic to get it fixed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":54672,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"single-advice","meta":{"jerry_authors":"[{\"id\":\"258\",\"type\":\"main-author\"},{\"id\":\"250\",\"type\":\"editor\"}]","jerry_author_ids":[258],"jerry_idx_page_label":"","jerry_meta_desc":"A lit security light indicates a problem in the car\u2019s anti-theft immobilizer system. Try a new key or go to a mechanic to get it fixed.","jerry_related_posts":"[6079,5177,8888]","jerry_summary":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[39,112,120,621],"class_list":["post-3902","car-repair","type-car-repair","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-anti-theft","tag-car-maintenance","tag-car-repair","tag-resource_car_repair"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-repair\/3902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-repair"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/car-repair"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3902"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-repair\/3902\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54673,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/car-repair\/3902\/revisions\/54673"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}