A car immobilizer is a technological security device that will prevent your car from moving and also prevents thieves from being able to start the car.

There is a digital token which gets sent from the key to the immobilizer whenever you attempt to start your car.

If the wrong token is sent or no token at all is used, then your starter motor, ignition, and fuel system will remain disabled by the immobilizer.

The immobilizer helps responsible car owners to prevent their cars from being stolen and if you lose your car key, then you need to go to the dealership and get a new one.

Symptoms of a bad immobilizer

For the security purpose, both the car immobilizer system and the transponder chip in the key need to function properly.

When either one of them wears out or gets damaged, then it results in a lot of trouble within the car.

Here are some of the symptoms that you can expect to experience with a bad car immobilizer. Engine won't start Alarm won't function Doors won't unlock Doors won't lock

Engine won't start

The immobilizer will normally prevent the engine from starting if the proper security token is not given to it.

Even sometimes you may be able to lock and unlock your vehicle, but the engine still won’t start.

If there is no other mechanical issue to explain the engine problems, then it could be associated with the wiring of the immobilizer inside your car.

Alarm won't function

The alarm system in your vehicle is associated with the same security feature as your immobilizer, and a bad immobilizer means you will have a bad alarm system too.

And in case your key is functioning properly, then you need to physically examine the immobilizer’s wiring inside the vehicle.

If the wiring appears to have damage, wear, and corrosion, then this is a clear indication as to why your immobilizer system is not working.

Doors won't unlock

When the unlock button is pressed on your car key and the car door does not unlock, this is a sign that your key fob is not registering with the immobilizer system.

It might be the case that the battery in your key needs to be replaced or the immobilizer system itself is having issues.

Whatever the case may be, your key fob will not be able to be transmitted properly without a functional key and immobilizer.

Doors won't lock

At times, when cannot unlock your door, then you probably won’t be able to lock your door with the key either.

This means that you’ll need to either leave your doors unlocked or leave the windows down if the doors automatically lock after a certain period of time.

Get the problem fixed quickly as your vehicle will be vulnerable to thieves, vandals, and bad weather if you leave your windows down.

Thank You!