# Theft lock

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/theft-lock/101395>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** escape, ford\
**Created:** [March 14, 2017, 3:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/theft-lock/101395 "2017-03-14T03:44:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![forrestenicholas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@forrestenicholas](https://community.cartalk.com/u/forrestenicholas)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 3:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/theft-lock/101395/1 "2017-03-14T03:44:51Z")

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I just replaced the whole steering column with key and now it will not start up. When I try to start it I just get a blinking theft light. The key turns, it isn’t locked or anything. Battery and starter are fine. Lights work. How do I fix this?

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**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/theft-lock/101395/2 "2017-03-14T18:23:24Z")

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I’d say your computer doesn’t recognize the new key. Tow to a dealer to sort out.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/theft-lock/101395/3 "2017-03-14T18:55:37Z")

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Any competent lock-smith can fix this. Your key probably has to be reprogrammed. They do house/car calls…but not cheap.