# 2011 Kia Sorento - Computer Locked **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [November 7, 2019, 9:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-kia-sorento-computer-locked/152341 "2019-11-07T21:42:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PatriciaEdmonds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@PatriciaEdmonds](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PatriciaEdmonds)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 9:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-kia-sorento-computer-locked/152341/1 "2019-11-07T21:42:23Z")
2011 Kia Sorento hasn’t been driven in over six months. Now the computer is locked and I was told the computer needs to be reflashed but I don’t know how to get the codes needed. I know someone who has the scanner. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2019, 12:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-kia-sorento-computer-locked/152341/2 "2019-11-08T00:00:17Z")
Who told you the computer is locked? Will the car start? Or is the battery just dead? ---
**Author:** ![PatriciaEdmonds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@PatriciaEdmonds](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PatriciaEdmonds)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-kia-sorento-computer-locked/152341/3 "2019-11-08T00:39:32Z")
We put a new battery in and it immediately drained. I was told by a mechanic that Kia’s computer will lock down if the car is not driven for 6 months. The car is dead. The Kia dealership said they could reflash the computer with codes and a scanner but it would cost over 100.00. I have access to the scanner but don’t know how to get the codes. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2019, 9:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-kia-sorento-computer-locked/152341/4 "2019-11-08T09:35:20Z")
> [@PatriciaEdmonds](#): > > I was told by a mechanic that Kia’s computer will lock down if the car is not driven for 6 months. The car is dead. Never heard of that before. But then again never owned a KIA. To me, if this is true, it’s a good reason not to buy a KIA. ---
**Author:** ![SteveCBT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevecbt/32/3192_2.png) [@SteveCBT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveCBT)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2019, 11:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-kia-sorento-computer-locked/152341/5 "2019-11-08T11:00:36Z")
> **[How to Reset KIA After Battery Is Disconnected](https://itstillruns.com/reset-kia-after-battery-disconnected-7650450.html)** > > Disconnecting the battery on your Kia sometimes deprograms the keyless entry remote, the vehicle alarm and the internal computer in the vehicle. To reset each of these functions after reconnecting your Kia's battery, you need to reprogram your... A battery draining immediately after installation is highly unusual, you would have the cables get extremely hot, like melting hot. Are you sure the battery was fully charged when installed? If the battery drained over a few hours you need to find the source of the drain and fix that first. My sons battery died recently and it was due to a failed alternator. Found that out quickly when we installed a new battery and smoke came out of the alternator. Disconnected the battery and put in a new alternator, but that is a different story for a different thread. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-kia-sorento-computer-locked/152341/6 "2019-11-08T15:01:25Z")
This diagnosis seems very suspect to me. Even if the computer “locked” (which I doubt, as there are many people who split time between summer and winter homes and leave cars sitting for this long), it wouldn’t cause an immediate battery drain. Can you find a different mechanic for a second opinion here? ---
**Author:** ![eddo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/eddo/32/2594_2.png) [@eddo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eddo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-kia-sorento-computer-locked/152341/7 "2019-11-08T15:28:54Z")
> [@PatriciaEdmonds](#): > > . I have access to the scanner but don’t know how to get the codes. Just for clarification- if you have a OBD/DTC scanner, these are not sufficient to reflash a ECM/PCM (cars computer.) For the flash update, you have to have access to proprietary Kia software- and they don’t just let anyone have that. Try the advice in @SteveCBT 's link and go from there. If the computer does indeed need reflashed, you may be able to get it done cheaper at a parts house if they have the capabilities to reflash computers (not all can do that.) BUT, I seriously doubt that a ECM/PCM reflash is what you actually need. That would be an extremely poor manufacturer design. ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2019, 12:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-kia-sorento-computer-locked/152341/8 "2019-11-09T12:58:37Z")
You need to find another mechanic. None of this makes sense.