What to Do When the Buick Anti-Theft System is Activated and the Car Won't Start?
2 Answers
Insert the key, turn it to power on the entire vehicle, then turn it off. Repeat this process three times consecutively. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery for about ten seconds to clear the engine's protection data, then reconnect the battery and attempt to start the car again. It is normal for the car's engine anti-theft light to flash once every 1 to 2 seconds.
Last time my Buick's anti-theft system activated and the car wouldn't start, which drove me crazy. I'm just a regular car owner who's been driving for years. That situation was so frustrating, I almost missed an important appointment. The cause might have been a drained battery in the fingerprint key or signal interference - even after replacing the battery it didn't work immediately. Later I had to stand close to the door and press the unlock button three times to reset the system. If it's a false trigger, like when the key button gets pressed in your pocket, make sure you're close to the car without interference before restarting the engine. Don't keep cranking the engine forcefully - it damages the starter. I recommend always keeping a spare key in your handbag, not in the car's storage compartment; during regular maintenance, have technicians check the system's sensitivity to reduce false alarms. The safest approach when your car won't start is to pull over somewhere safe, turn on hazard lights, and call for roadside assistance rather than wasting time and energy trying random fixes. I learned my lesson - now I make it a habit to change the key battery every six months, and haven't had any anti-theft activation issues since.