Calling on the Gear Heads out there.

2478 Views 136 Replies 17 Participants Last post by MaryB, 11 d ago

greg_r

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

SWMBO’s car just broke down. Has a new light on the dash that I have never seen before. Google says it is an Imobilizer Indicator. It means that the car does not recognize the key. The solution they say is to contact the dealership. I called a towing service owned by a friend. I am reluctant to do that. This key is not even a year old. The car was in an accident and the key had to be replaced. Locksmith ordered a couple of keys but could not get them to work. Car was towed to the dealership and the key was replaced with an OEM key. Guess it is going to be towed to the dealership tomorrow.

Does anyone know how to over ride this? Or will I just make things worse? Thanks!

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CamoDeafie

· #2 · 1 mo ago

That's stupid and unfortunately might be necessary, what with all the auto thefts and carjackings around large cities

can't help with you on that particular problem though. My van however requires that the key fob be programmed to match it even though it does have a metal key hidden in it to open doors.

Reactions: 2

moona11

· #3 · 1 mo ago

Every time I've gotten new fobs for or KIAs I've had to take ALL the keys to KIA and have them program them. Its not cheap either

Reactions: 2

CamoDeafie

· #4 · 1 mo ago

I miss the days of having 2 maybe 3 separate car keys for the car lol ignition, trunk, and glove compartment or gas cap

Reactions: 1

cicpup

· #5 · 1 mo ago

So dumb question. Did you try replacing the fob battery?

Reactions: 1

CamoDeafie

· #6 · 1 mo ago

cicpup said:
So dumb question. Did you try replacing the fob battery?

Might be brand/model specific

.my experience with replacing the fob battery on mine is that... even if the physical metal key will work, and even if the fob fits the socket and runs the van, it needs programming so that I can unlock/lock the van because it won't recognize the fob and will require to start the van to reset the alarm from opening the door with the metal key

cicpup

· #7 · 1 mo ago

CamoDeafie said:
.my experience with replacing the fob battery on mine is that...

Well in my experience with the dozens I've dealt with, they all take those round batteries that start with a CR followed by 4 numbers. They can be found most anywhere.

Reactions: 1

greg_r

Discussion Starter · #8 · 1 mo ago

cicpup said:
So dumb question. Did you try replacing the fob battery?

Yes, no change. It will do everything except crank the car, radio, shifter, windows, shifter, everything I tried, just will not start the car. Will not even try. And yes, the car battery is good.

cicpup

· #9 · 1 mo ago

That your only fob?

Reactions: 1

CamoDeafie

· #10 · 1 mo ago

cicpup said:
Well in my experience with the dozens I've dealt with, they all take those round batteries that start with a CR followed by 4 numbers. They can be found most anywhere.

What I meant is that the fob setup itself depends on the brand/model, not that the battery is brand specific, they should be the CR something yes.

cicpup

· #11 · 1 mo ago

CamoDeafie said:
What I meant is that the fob setup itself depends on the brand/model,

Ummmm, yea. They usually are.

ajole

· #12 · 1 mo ago

No help for you Greg. Pretty sure that icon means the car didn’t recognize the fob, and since it was used to try to start the car, it locks things down. Unless another fob makes it work, it’s a dealership fix, AFAIK.

CamoDeafie said:
Might be brand/model specific

.my experience with replacing the fob battery on mine is that... even if the physical metal key will work, and even if the fob fits the socket and runs the van, it needs programming so that I can unlock/lock the van because it won't recognize the fob and will require to start the van to reset the alarm from opening the door with the metal key

I’ve replaced Nissan and Chevy fob batteries, no need for reprogramming.
Had to replace a 2012 Chevy fob, no need to bring anything else in, just the VIN number. But modern stuff is getting more and more security added.

Reactions: 1

greg_r

Discussion Starter · #13 · 1 mo ago

cicpup said:
That your only fob?

Yes, only came with one. I ordered 2 from the locksmith but he could not get them to work. When it ended up at the dealership, it only came back with one. At least my Buick came with two….

Reactions: 1

ajole

· #14 · 1 mo ago (Edited)

Duplicate…no idea how I got this while editing a previous post….

Reactions: 1

greg_r

Discussion Starter · #15 · 1 mo ago

ajole said:
Pretty sure that icon means the car didn’t recognize the fob, and since it was used to try to start the car, it locks things down.

I am almost positive this is what happened. Just wish I knew why.

Of course you know my confidence in this car just took a big hit. Even when it gets fixed I doubt I trust it again. SWMBO will probably get a new car.

Reactions: 2

CamoDeafie

· #16 · 1 mo ago

ajole said:
No help for you Greg. Pretty sure that icon means the car didn’t recognize the fob, and since it was used to try to start the car, it locks things down. Unless another fob makes it work, it’s a dealership fix, AFAIK.

I’ve replaced Nissan and Chevy fob batteries, no need for reprogramming.
Had to replace a 2012 Chevy fob, no need to bring anything else in, just the VIN number. But modern stuff is getting more and more security added.

ajole said:
No help for you Greg. Pretty sure that icon means the car didn’t recognize the fob, and since it was used to try to start the car, it locks things down. Unless another fob makes it work, it’s a dea) fix, AFAIK.

I’ve replaced Nissan and Chevy fob batteries, no need for reprogramming.
Had to replace a 2012 Chevy fob, no need to bring anything else in, just the VIN number.

Is there an echo here? (Is there an echo here?)

Reactions: 1

cicpup

· #17 · 1 mo ago

greg_r said:
Yes, only came with one. I ordered 2 from the locksmith but he could not get them to work. When it ended up at the dealership, it only came back with one. At least my Buick came with two….

Dealer's gonna love you.

ajole

· #18 · 1 mo ago

No.

No…

No…….

Reactions: 1

greg_r

Discussion Starter · #19 · 1 mo ago

cicpup said:
Dealer's gonna love you.

They should cover it, I have not even had the car back but about 7 months. Insurance is paying for the tow and they just told me a few minutes ago they would be contacting the dealership tomorrow. I have my fingers crossed. If it goes well, I might just get it fixed for no cost to me, if not, I will probably have to pay the labor.

Reactions: 1

Pistolkitty

· #20 · 1 mo ago

I once had something similar happen in a Honda civic. Older though, it was a 2003 iirc. Was about to go to the dealer, then found a YouTube video showing how to reprogram the fob and sat in my car and did it. Worked fine after that. But older car, not near the bells and whistles they have now.

Reactions: 1

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