HELP! Immobilizer green light flashing!

[mendozad]

Okay guys, I need to get some info if you can help. I have an 2000 Acura TL with 280,000 and going strong. I was going drown the highway and a green light started flashing on the dash. I had no idea what that was so I immediately stopped to get the owners manual. I turned the car off to check and it said it was the immobilizer which reads the chip in the key. It says it comes on when the immobilizer cannot read the key. I tried to then start the car and it would NOT start. It almost sounded like the battery was low - had clicking sounds - would not turn then the green light started flashing again. I live in Texas and its been 105 degrees since late May. I looked on-line and another mechanic (that you have to pay) had an answer from someone that had the same problem as me and he said it was not her key - it was a dead battery. Is this true? Can your battery connection be lose and cause the immobilizer not to read the key and cause the light to flash? Any help would be great. I am asking my boyfriend to take the battery to get it checked out. If it happens to be the battery how do you get the key programmed again or will it just work once a new battery is put in? THANKS

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[max1995]

I had the same thing happen to me about a year ago , one thing I can assure you Its is not the battery , it is either the ignition switch or there is a relay that sends power to the immobilizer that could be bad , mine turned out to be that relay and not the ignition switch

[mendozad]

Thanks so much for the response. I hope it was too expensive to fix. I will print out and let my mechanic know what it could be so he can check it out before he does anything. I just heard it could be the battery.

I look forward to hearing from anyone with the same problem.

I assume you had to tow it and the person who fixed it was able to program the key? Do you know if they had to reprogram the key?

[mendozad]

Is there a way to check the ignition switch to see if it's bad?

[fsttyms1]

First things first. Have your battery tested. If you turn the key and get clicking sounds usually its the battery. If the immobilizer isnt reading the key the car cranks and cranks and cranks but wont fire.

[totaledTL]

Originally Posted by fsttyms1

First things first. Have your battery tested. If you turn the key and get clicking sounds usually its the key. If the immobilizer isnt reading the key the car cranks and cranks and cranks but wont fire.

I disagree w/ that. Usually it's the battery and/or connections if all it does is click.

[mendozad]

I know one person said it was not the battery BUT when I was driving and the light kept blinking off and on and I parked and turned the car off. When I tried to restart the car - there was that sound it makes - making fast clicking noises like its done when my battery was going out before. You know - it makes those clicking sounds - then finally nothing because its totally dead. It made the clicking noise then the green key light would blink a few times BUT it would never want to crank over. I would turn the key - and it was not acting like it could even crank up. I will let you all know what happens tomorrow. Maybe I can be of help to someone too!

I do think it does something to the mobilizer because it wont start the car and that light is blinking. ONly thing is - if its the battery - do I have to reprogram the key? I only have one key that was made since I only had one original key and that one was lost. Since then I found it but it doesn't work because it was reprogrammed.

[01tl4tl]

you can reprogram that old key again,,see our diy section

changing car battery does not erase the key!
it will cause the radio to lock- need your security code
or run a jumper wire from outside power to the fusebox to prevent that problem

[fsttyms1]

Originally Posted by totaledTL

I disagree w/ that. Usually it's the battery and/or connections if all it does is click.

Good catch, stupid phone, Supposed to be "Battery"

[fsttyms1]

Originally Posted by mendozad

I know one person said it was not the battery BUT when I was driving and the light kept blinking off and on and I parked and turned the car off. When I tried to restart the car - there was that sound it makes - making fast clicking noises like its done when my battery was going out before. You know - it makes those clicking sounds - then finally nothing because its totally dead. It made the clicking noise then the green key light would blink a few times BUT it would never want to crank over. I would turn the key - and it was not acting like it could even crank up. I will let you all know what happens tomorrow. Maybe I can be of help to someone too!

I do think it does something to the mobilizer because it wont start the car and that light is blinking. ONly thing is - if its the battery - do I have to reprogram the key? I only have one key that was made since I only had one original key and that one was lost. Since then I found it but it doesn't work because it was reprogrammed.

No, changing the battery wont make you have to reprogram the key.

[01tl4tl]

comedien Gabreil Iglesias says his phone LIES for him!
it told his girl he was at ciniBUNS... not at a bar called Cinibons

[fsttyms1]

Originally Posted by 01tl4tl

comedien Gabreil Iglesias says his phone LIES for him!
it told his girl he was at ciniBUNS... not at a bar called Cinibons

thats what happens when you try helping someone while driving 80mph down the hwy and you have predictive text and you dont proof read

[mendozad]

First thanks to all of you for your help. You always come through and I so depend on YOU!

It was a DEAD battery! I had no idea it could cause what happened. Please make a note in case someone has the SAME problem. I think if I would have called a wrecker - taken to the dealership - it would have been a LOT of $$$.

While driving down the highway at 65 mph my dash light - green key - (immobilizer light) started blinking and did not stop. I pulled off the road turned the car off and got the manual to check what the display light was. It was the immobilizer light - then I learned its the thing that reads the key. I then tried to start the car but it would not start and the green key started blinking. It tried to start it - it had that clinking sound like when your battery is dying and needs a boost. I called for help. Later in the day went back to check the car - learned it could be the battery, inginition switch or a relay. Gave the car a boost and it WAS the battery. The key worked fine so it did read it - it was just the battery. Got a new battery and now I have a car that works and didn't have to do anything else!

THANKS! Happy 2000 TL driver with 280,000 miles and going strong!

[totaledTL]

Originally Posted by fsttyms1

thats what happens when you try helping someone while driving 80mph down the hwy and you have predictive text and you dont proof read

:thumbsdow

You really should refrain from doing that... esp. going 80 mph.... it's dangerous not only to you but fellow drivers. It's now illegal in KY. I don't know about other states.

[totaledTL]

Glad you figured it out. A failing battery can cause a myriad of issues on newer cars.

[fsttyms1]

Originally Posted by totaledTL

:thumbsdow

You really should refrain from doing that... esp. going 80 mph.... it's dangerous not only to you but fellow drivers. It's now illegal in KY. I don't know about other states.

Thanks for the driving lesson. Little bit of info. I was on a divided interstate and i was the only car within 1 mile forward and behind me. its also illegal here, so is doing 80. No one is a saint, please dont act or try to tell me you have never done anything illegal

[totaledTL]

Originally Posted by fsttyms1

Thanks for the driving lesson. Little bit of info. I was on a divided interstate and i was the only car within 1 mile forward and behind me. its also illegal here, so is doing 80. No one is a saint, please dont act or try to tell me you have never done anything illegal

It was not a driving lesson- surely you understand that. I don't claim to be a saint by any stretch of the imagination, nor do I think I act like one. I never said anything like that.

What I have witnessed, seemingly more often every day, is more people texting while driving poorly.

Anyway- don't take it the wrong way. It's not personal.

[03tl-s04mdx]

Originally Posted by totaledTL

:thumbsdow

You really should refrain from doing that... esp. going 80 mph.... it's dangerous not only to you but fellow drivers. It's now illegal in KY. I don't know about other states.

+1 Illegal in Utah too - should be illegal to talk on the damn things too but it isn't.

[Skirmich]

Thank god it isnt illegal here in Cali and Az, Cuz I travel alot from here to there and doing 80 make things well. Faster....

But thats in Hwy tough.

[totaledTL]

Originally Posted by Skirmich

Thank god it isnt illegal here in Cali and Az, Cuz I travel alot from here to there and doing 80 make things well. Faster....

But thats in Hwy tough.

Really-! http://dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/

[01tl4tl]

its been illegal to text or hand hold your phone for over 2 years in Ca, (hands free device ok)
and the results were amazing,,
used to be 9 of 10 drivers on phone held to head
now you only see ~7 of 10 drivers making a left turn with cell phone pressed to face- their view to the left blocked -no turn signal as that hands holding the phone anyway,,,
cops should enforce that law!!!

In Ca. if you aren't going 80 you better get in the right lane!!