Cargroot is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
If you have recently started driving your own vehicle, nothing will confuse you more than the indicator lights that keep on popping every few minutes on the dashboard. One such light is the security indicator light.
Seeing the symbol of the security indicator light flashing on the dashboard will fluster you at first, but once you get the hang of all the indicator lights, including this one, you won’t be surprised anymore.
We have put together a detailed guide for you explaining the meaning of the security indicator light to help you understand what’s wrong with your vehicle whenever you see it flash on your dashboard.
We will also take you through a list of all the possible reasons behind the appearance of the security indicator light on your dashboard, along with some fixes you can try if this indicator light suddenly stops working.
What Is the Meaning of a Security Indicator Light?
The security indicator light, like the other dashboard indicator lights, including the check engine light, the master warning light etc., is meant to provide you with a warning regarding your vehicle’s security system.
Whenever you turn on the ignition for your vehicle, you will see the security indicator light turning on. It turns on to remind you of any important instruction you might be missing out on regarding starting your car. This light is more like a bulb check.
However, if the security indicator light turns on even when the vehicle is not ignited or is off, there is nothing to worry about. This light illuminates only to let you know of fact that the anti-theft system in your car is working properly.
Similarly, if you see the light turning on while the engine is running and you face some difficulty in starting the car, too, this is a clear indication of the fact that the anti-theft system in your car isn’t working.
Simply put, the security indicator light only illuminates to either assure you that the theft control system is working properly or to inform you of any problem in this system.
Why Is the Security Indicator Light Flashing On the Dashboard?
When it comes to indicator lights, they are generally associated with multiple reasons, i.e., numerous vehicle conditions that could make them turn on. The security indicator light is no different. Here we have listed some of the main causes that could illuminate the security indicator light on your vehicle’s dashboard.
-
Battery Failure
If you haven’t taken your vehicle out for maintenance for a long time, many components will start getting damaged. One such crucial component needed to keep your vehicle moving is its battery. Due to insufficient charging or overuse, the battery might stop working.
Owing to the battery failure, the security key of your car might not get tracked, which will eventually lead to the appearance of a security light indicator on your dashboard.
-
Anti-Theft System
As discussed above, this is one of the primary reasons for you to see the security indicator light. If your car’s anti-theft system is malfunctioning and you are having trouble starting your car, the security indicator light will illuminate the dashboard, indicating this malfunctioning.
-
Smart Key Not Functioning
Most modern vehicles these days feature smart keys that you use to lock or unlock your car. If your vehicle also comes with this key, you might get to see the security indicator light a lot often. If the smart key of your car isn’t functioning properly, your vehicle might not get locked on pressing the lock button, leading to the appearance of a security indicator light.
-
Locking or Unlocking Problem
Another thing that will lead to the appearance of a security indicator light on your car’s dashboard is a problem with locking or unlocking your vehicle. This stands true for both manual and automatic cars.
Whenever you fail to lock or unlock your car properly, the security indicator light appears on the dashboard, indicating this problem.
Turning Off the Security Indicator Light
Now that you have looked at all the possible causes for the security indicator light flashing on your car’s dashboard, you are all set to move towards the next step, i.e., its fixes or how to turn it off.
After thorough research, we have managed to pick out four methods that will help you turn off the security indicator light that keeps flashing on the dashboard of your car.
Method #1: Lock & Unlock the Car
The first method you can try to fix the security indicator light flashing on the car’s dashboard issue is to keep locking and unlocking the car. For this, you first need to park your car in a safe place. Once done, lock and unlock the car a few times.
For locking and unlocking the car, in this case, you can use the smart key or the lock/unlock button on your car. Doing so will most probably stop the security indicator light from flashing on the dashboard.
Method #2: Igniting the Car
Another method you can try to turn off the security indicator light is to ignite your car a few times. This can be done by turning the key in the keyhole to give ignition. You can also keep on pressing the ON/OFF button on your car, meant for igniting it, for the same.
Method #3: Use a Different Key
You can also try using a different key to start your car. Try all the keys available at the moment, and if one of them succeeds in starting your car and turning off the security indicator light, there might be some problem with the key you were using with your car previously.
You can check out this guide to find out the reason behind the malfunctioning of your car’s key.
Method #4: Fixing the Anti-Theft Security System
As mentioned above, the primary reason for this problem is an issue with your car’s anti-theft system. So, to turn off the security indicator light, you have to fix this system.
Here are a few fixes you can try out if your car’s anti-theft system isn’t working properly, preventing your car from starting.
-
Check the Battery
The first thing you need to check out when the anti-theft system of your car is malfunctioning is your car’s battery. As mentioned in the reasons for security indicator light illuminating on your dashboard, if your car’s battery is dead or not charged, your car will fail to detect the presence of the key.
The same is the case with the anti-theft system. If the battery is dead, the anti-theft system won’t function in your car, preventing you from starting it. In this case, it’s best to check your car’s battery for any problems and charge the battery if needed.
You can check out this YouTube video:
-
Use the Steering Wheel Trick
Another problem that accompanies the anti-theft system malfunctioning is the steering wheel getting locked. In addition to stopping your car from starting when the anti-theft system is not working, it will also keep the steering wheel locked, keeping it from moving.
This usually happens when you move the steering wheel after turning the car off. But don’t fret, as in this case, the wheel is mostly locked in one direction. What you can do instead is to try moving the wheel in the other direction along with moving your car in that direction.
While moving the wheel, insert the key in the ignition slot and try turning on your car. Pull the wheel as hard as possible and turn the key in the ignition slot. Eventually, this might help you turn the car on despite the anti-theft system malfunctioning.
-
Problem with the Key
In addition to the battery and the steering wheel, another component that could possibly be the cause of the anti-theft system malfunctioning is the key itself. The keys on the cars generally feature a built-in chip that works to send a signal to the alarm system whenever it’s inserted in the ignition slot.
If your car key is broken or damaged, its chip might stop working, ultimately not sending any signal to the alarm system. This will lead to the anti-theft system not working on your car.
In this case, it’s best to switch to some other key for starting your car. You can also leave the car on its own for a few minutes and try starting it after a while to see if the problem is solved.
-
Reset the Computer
You can also reset your car’s computer to fix the problem of the anti-theft system not working on your car. For this, here are the steps you need to follow:
- Disconnect the positive terminal of your car’s battery for a few minutes.
- Connect the terminal back and ensure that both terminals are linked properly.
- Your car’s computer system will now reset.
- Insert the key into the ignition slot and see if the car kicks off now.
- If this doesn’t work, repeat the above steps and see if the car starts now.
Method #5: Resetting the Anti-Theft System
If none of the above methods has helped you turn off the security indicator light on your dashboard, you can also reset the anti-theft system to resolve this issue.
Here are the 2 step-by-step approaches you can use for this.
Approach #1: Using the Key
You can easily reset your car’s anti-theft system using the key following these steps.
- Insert your car’s key into the door lock on the driver’s side.
- Slightly turn the key but ensure to keep the door open.
- Keep the key in this position for around 60 seconds.
- This will allow your car’s system to recognize the key.
- Repeat the above steps, but this time tilt the key in the other direction.
- Remove the key and start your car’s engine now.
You have successfully reset your car’s anti-theft system.
Approach #2: Via Ignition
Here are the steps you need to follow to reset your car’s anti-theft system using the ignition slot.
- Insert your car’s keys into the ignition slot.
- Turn the key in the slot to turn on your car’s electrical system.
- You will see the anti-theft light blinking on the dashboard.
- Once the anti-theft light turns on, leave the key in the ignition slot for around 3 minutes.
- You will be able to start your car’s engine now.
- If you are unable to start the engine in the first go, repeat the entire process a few times till it finally works.
FAQs
Does the Security Indicator Light Drain the Car’s Battery?
As the security indicator light is actually associated with turning on the alarm on your vehicle in case of any emergency, and this alarm is wired directly to the car’s battery, over time, the indicator light will take away the battery’s energy. If not taken care of timely, this can also lead to battery failure.
Is It Fine for the Security Indicator Light to Stay On?
Whenever you see the security indicator light on your vehicle’s dashboard, it clearly indicates a problem with your car’s security system. So, seeing the security light on isn’t normal and needs to be taken care of immediately.
Can You Drive with Security Indicator Light On?
If the security light turns on briefly while you give the ignition, it’s completely safe to drive; however, if it’s flashing even when driving the car, it’s best to pull out and see the problem.
Can You Reset the Anti-Theft System by Disconnection the Battery?
Yes, disconnecting the battery and connecting it again is one of the simplest fixes you can try to reset the anti-theft system in your car. For this, you first have to disconnect the positive terminal of your car’s battery. After a few seconds, reconnect it and ensure that both the anode and cathode terminals are tightly linked.
Once you turn the key into the ignition slot after this, your car will likely start.
Conclusion – What Does the Security Indicator Light Mean?
In this guide, we have introduced you to the meaning of security indicator light and explained its meaning in different situations. We have also explored some of the causes for the security indicator light turning on, along with a couple of methods you can try to turn it off.
Along the way, we have taken you through some methods you can use for fixing the anti-theft system and resetting it on your vehicle and provided you with answers to some of the questions you might have regarding the security indicator light.
Hopefully, this write-up collectively has managed to clear all the doubts you might have had in the past regarding the security indicator light and the anti-theft system on your car, and you won’t have to worry about your car’s lock system anymore. Have a safe driving experience!
