What to Do When the Car Engine is Locked?
2 Answers
Nowadays, many cars are equipped with engine electronic anti-theft technology, whose basic principle is to lock the car's engine, electrical circuits, and fuel system, making it impossible to start the vehicle without a chip key. In this case, first disconnect the negative terminal of the battery for a period of time, wait for the engine's protection data to clear, and then reconnect the battery. Generally, a power-off of about 10 seconds is sufficient. If the issue persists, it indicates insufficient discharge; remove the terminal again and wait for a longer period this time. Here are some related tips: 1. Call a tow truck: Contact a towing service. It's important to note that you should avoid taking the car to ordinary repair shops because without knowing the vehicle's anti-theft deactivation code, repairs can be complicated. It's recommended to go to an authorized 4S dealership, where a fault code scanner might easily resolve the issue. 2. Function of key-controlled anti-theft systems: When the driver locks the car doors, the electronic anti-theft system circuit is activated, and the system begins operating. If a thief illegally opens the door, the electronic anti-theft system will sound an alarm and simultaneously cut off the ignition system circuit, preventing the engine from starting, thereby serving its anti-theft and alarm functions.
I've seen quite a few cases of engine seizure, usually caused by serious internal mechanical failures such as stuck pistons or overheated melted bearings. I remember once when I was on a long drive and forgot to check the oil level, resulting in the engine overheating and seizing up completely. Most of these failures occur due to insufficient oil lubrication or cooling system failure, causing the car to suddenly stall and refuse to restart. If this happens, never attempt to force-start the engine to avoid causing further damage. It's best to pull over safely first, then check the dipstick to see if there's enough oil. If simple measures don't work, directly call for towing service to a professional repair shop - they may need to disassemble the engine for cleaning or part replacement. Regular oil changes and scheduled maintenance can effectively prevent such incidents, avoiding bigger troubles and extra costs down the road.
