URGENT - Engine Immobilizer System Malfunction!
 

I stopped by my mate's place today and when I got back in my car to drive home, the car just wouldn't start.

I put my keys into the ignition and it wouldn't turn. The lock indicator on the dash is currently blinking. I've spent over an hour trying to figure out what to do and now I have to spend the night somewhere closeby so I can call for some help tomorrow morning.

So what should I do tomorrow morning? Should I go home to grab my spare keys and give it a go, or should I call up my insurance company tomorrow?

Has that ever happened to anyone before?

Try one of your spare keys first.

Could it just be your steering wheel lock? If so, just turn the steering wheel while trying to turn the key and it should go. I bump the steering wheel with my knee all the time while getting out of the car and this happens.

THIS ^

Has happened to me.

Try the other key like posted above the battery in your the key is most likely dying.;)

Grab your scion towing card and get it towed to the dealer.

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you need to crank on the steering wheel a bit, try both directions while turning the key.

The steering wheel lock is bound up with the wheel due to pressure on the lock mechanism.

Stop trying to steal the car bro. :happy0180:

I've also had it happen to me...

Oh my gosh it worked! I just kept bumping the steering wheel side to side and it started again. Damn it I wished I knew that earlier! Thanks!

Very common on lots of cars. Just try not to turn the wheel after the key is out while you get out of the car :thumbsup:

Me too!

Happened when it was less than a week old for me. I thought I got a lemon from the dealer.

Had this happen to me on prom night three days after buying my 2000 528i from my father (this was in like 2005). Embarrassing... Had to call family to figure out what was up. Pretty common on newer cars, or nicer old ones haha. Good times.


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This is pretty common on cars going back decades...

Check your fuses. I had this happen to mine, I tried all keys and nothing. I had to have it towed to the dealership. what they told me is the new short block was not grounded correctly. They replaced some fuses and moved the ground wire.

Usually the steering wheel lock requires you to pull the wheel left, only about 10 degrees, until it stops. Then you can turn the key and the wheel will re-engage in the 12 o-clock position, unlocked, and you will be able to start the car. This used to happen all the time in my TSX.

Glad you got it fixed!

lol.. glad i'm not the only one that made this mistake.. this happened after the 2nd day of owning my vehicle.. i was pissed.. called the dealer couldn't get through so i left a message for them to call me back.. so in the meantime i started reading the manual to find anything to help and eventually came across the steering wheel lock trouble shooting

felt like an idiot afterwords and for some reason the dealership never even returned my call, even though i didn't need them to anyways.. bloody assholes!

Lol every car I've owned has had this. I felt stupid the first time it happened to me with my DSM though, cause I had no clue what was going on ha. Glad that's all it was OP!