What to Do When the Car is Locked and Won't Start
3 Answers
When the engine is mistakenly locked, use the battery disconnection method to force a reset. First, open the front engine compartment and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery for about five minutes. You can also seek help from a 4S shop. The staff at the 4S shop will use professional diagnostic equipment to reset the vehicle's anti-theft system.
Once my car suddenly locked up and wouldn't start when parked on the roadside, making me sweat with anxiety. First, check if the battery is dead—common causes include battery aging or discharge. Try a jump start by asking a friend's car for assistance. If the battery isn't the issue, the engine might be locked by the anti-theft system, possibly due to a weak remote key battery or signal interference. Try using the mechanical key to open the door and then start the ignition. Sometimes, the steering wheel locks—turn it a few times to release. If nothing works, don’t force it to avoid damaging the circuits; call a tow truck immediately to check the fuses or ignition module at a repair shop. This situation can be dangerous, especially at night in remote areas—always prioritize safety.
I've experienced a situation where the car wouldn't start and got locked, and I think it might come from several directions. First, it could be a battery issue. If you hear a clicking sound without response when starting, the battery is most likely dead. Second, the anti-theft system might have triggered an engine lock, possibly due to a dead key fob or being placed too far away causing signal interruption. Third, a locked steering wheel can restrict ignition. To handle it, you need to proceed step by step: check if the battery terminals are loose, try using a spare key or remote unlocking. If that doesn't work, use your phone to check the owner's manual and learn how to reset the anti-theft system. To avoid delays, it's good to keep an emergency power supply in the car in advance.
