Showing articles & questions for topic
anti-theft

Related articles

How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft
Catalytic converters are easily accessible to thieves looking to make a profit from the precious metals inside.
How to Pick an Anti-Theft Device For Your Car
Depending Depending on where you live, an anti-theft device may give you added peace of mind about the security of your car. It may also lower your car insurance rates, which is an added bonus. With so many products on...
Top Automotive News & Stories: July 27-August 3
Each week we compile the best announcements and developments from the world of cars. Here are the topics you can’t miss from July 27 to August 3. Most Stolen Cars List Released most stolen cars...
What to Do if Your Car Has Been Stolen
Many Many people have experienced that momentary jolt of fear after exiting a business and not seeing their vehicle. The first thought that comes to mind is that your vehicle has been stolen, but then you realize you parked it...
5 Essential Things to Know About Your Car's Anti-Theft Device
Your Your car’s anti-theft device is installed in an effort to help protect your investment from thieves. Most cars today include a variety of these devices and systems that not only protect the car, but also deter theft in the...
How to Reset a Car Alarm
A A car alarm that is not working at all or not working properly can be extremely annoying to you and your neighbors. It may also put your vehicle at an increased risk for theft (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-keep-your-vehicle-safe-from-theft) or vandalism. Almost all...
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 Remove Wheel Locks
When When you have nice, new rims (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-rims-work-and-why-they-matter) on your car, you won’t be the only one admiring them. Good-looking wheels draw the attention of car aficionados and thieves alike. Wheels are an easy mark for thieves. When you leave...
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 Decide Which Car Tracking System to Buy
There There are vehicles for every kind of purpose, whether it’s for personal use or business. Sometimes, you may need to know where a your vehicle is. It can be because: You can’t recall where your car is parked You...
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 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 Use GhosTrack as a Vehicle Tracking Application
The The GhosTrack application (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=soalib.android.location&hl=en) allows you to track a variety of important things in your life, including your children and your vehicle. The app can help prevent theft (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-keep-your-vehicle-safe-from-theft) by allowing you to use two mobile devices to track...
5 Essential Things to Know About Your Car's Anti-Theft Device
Your Your car’s anti-theft device is installed in an effort to help protect your investment from thieves. Most cars today include a variety of these devices and systems that not only protect the car, but also deter theft in the...
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 Unlock a Chevrolet Theftlock Radio
Theftlock Theftlock is a theft prevention system designed into GM-brand radios starting in the mid-1990’s. This system is designed to lock the radio from use in the event of a loss of power, either from being disconnected or when the...
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 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 Choose a LoJack System For Your Car
LoJack LoJack is the trade name for a radio transmitter technology system that allows vehicles to be tracked if they have been moved unwantedly, or have been stolen. LoJack’s trademark technology is the only one on the market used directly...
How to Prevent Having Your Car Stolen
Protecting Protecting your vehicle from auto thieves can save you the hassle of trying to recover a stolen car or from having to buy another to replace it. You can choose from many options to protect your vehicle, including using...

Related questions

Won't start
If you are trying to get a new key to work with the vehicle, you will need a factory scan tool to program the key to the vehicle. If you replaced the computer, you will also need the dealer to...
Stuck in reverse
Hi there, thanks for writing to YourMechanic. It can be difficult to drive a vehicle with it stuck in reverse. The problem seems to be a plastic grommet that connects the gear shift assembly to the transmission. It sounds like...
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....
How does the vehicle security system work?
When the vehicle security system is armed, it will activate if a door is unlocked in any way other than with a standard key, Intelligent Key, request switch, or key fob. When the system is activated, the horn will honk...
How do I set the security alarm?
The security alarm is a key safety feature that helps keep your car from being stolen. When someone enters your car without a key or the remote transmitter, the security alarm will activate, and the horn will honk and the...
Car won't start.
Hello. The key you put in the ignition is a code key and may be defective. Try a different key if you have one. If this works, then you need to get extra keys made. If it still does the...
Car won't start
Hello. We will be happy to assist you. A vehicle overheating could cause harm to engine components such as sensors, fuses, spark plug wires, pistons and gaskets. The vehicle most likely overheated due to a faulty water pump and thermostat...
Car clicking when starting
Hi there. This sounds to me as like an issue in your anti-theft system. When your vehicle has its battery changed, the power is reset. This commonly triggers the anti-theft system which tell your computer to lock up. Have a...
My car won’t start. There is a red flashing light, car with key symbol. No noise is made when I turn key. Just had it checked
You should not have two programmed keys on the same keychain. If that does not work then you have a problem with the anti-theft system or the key programming. The system can only be programmed using the factory level scanner....
Car won’t shift out of park
You will need to make sure you put all the fuses back in the correct places since the fuse will power the shift interlock. Fuses number 2 and 14 control the shift interlock. Make sure fuses are in place and...
Truck won't start
If this is the factory light on the dash that says "theft" and is blinking fast, then your theft system is activated. You may need to try another key first after locking all of the doors and waiting a half...
Starting problems
The PATS system or passive anti theft system is not turning off the arming of the system and may need to be reprogrammed as per the technical bulletin issued by the manufacturer. I recommend looking on the dash and if...
My alarm is going off at random
A common failure point in this alarm system is the security hood switch, which is attached to the hood latch. The system control module monitors the position of the hood via this sensor. It also monitors the position of the...
How do I turn on and off the panic alarm?
The panic alarm is a security feature in your car. When the alarm is on, the horn will honk, the park lights will flash, and both the headlights and interior lights will illuminate. To turn on the panic alarm, simply...
How do I set the security alarm?
The security alarm in your vehicle automatically sets anytime you use the remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter to lock the doors, or anytime you use the power door switches to lock the doors. When the doors have been locked with...
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 cranks but wont start
You did not list a vehicle in your question so this answer is general in nature. There have been many complaints when the batteries are replaced and then the vehicle will crank and no start due to the theft system...
Battery Dead
You may have caused the anti theft system to become activated since this can cause it to clear the key code if key was left on too long with out starting the vehicle. You may need to have the vehicle...
98 mustang broke ignition will a Pat's bypass modual allow me to start car with screwdriver
If you are trying to bypass the theft system you would need a programmer and it will only let you load it if system is working and you wanted to turn it off. It will not let you disable it...
My BMW 2008 535i wont start after replacing the water pump and the Idrive will not turn on when trying to start
You should remove key FOB from vehicle and close and lock all doors and hood and then let vehicle sit for at least 10 minutes or up to 30 minutes and then using key FOB to unlock doors and see...

Need a mechanic?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 700 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

Get a quote