starting issue

This sounds like we have a couple of issues going on now. First is the shift lever. It sounds like he wanted to put it in gear due to it being stuck in park in order to tow it. If that is the case, then he should have used this override that I attached below.

If he did, then as soon as the screwdriver is removed the lock is re-engaged and it will start operating again.

However, if he removed the shift cable and manually put it in neutral then that is why when the shifter is in park the vehicle doesn't recognize it because the manual valve is still in the gear that he put in.

Next with the theft light on and the check engine light, we should start with scanning for codes.

However, the engine is not going to start unless it is in park or neutral so let's scan for codes after we address the shift override issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let me know if you know how he moved the shifter, and we can go from there. Maybe get a picture of the way they did it.

Thanks

Okay, I am going to try that, but how do I get it to start again with the anti-theft activated and the computer won't respond to the old reader, it keeps showing error?

Also, he pushed it with a pen and kept moving it straight up and down then put back in park and towed it in park.

You are not going to get it running with the light flashing. That indicates an active theft issue. The vehicle thinks it is being stolen so it is preventing that.

If your code reader is saying it is an error, then we are going to have to try a different scan tool or we are going to have to have it towed again to a dealer.

I am not sure what the tow truck driver did but at this point I think that is a secondary issue to the theft light.

I suspect we are going to have to use a scan tool that has the ability to deactivate the theft system if the typical actions are not working. Do you have a key that operates the door locks?

Does the light stop if you open the locks with the key? What happens when you put the key in the ignition and turn it to the on position?

These are methods of disarming the system so if they are not working then that is where the scan tool would come in and a code reader is most likely not going to be able to do this function.

I do have 2 original key fobs. When I hit the buttons the theft light does not go out, the battery light stays on along with the theft light. When I turn the key, I get nothing, just that.

Okay. Unfortunately, we have an issue with the theft system that we are going to need a scan tool capable of figuring out what is going on in the system.

So, let's try and locate a scan tool or we are going to have it looked at.

If a scan tool cannot communicate with the vehicle either, then we have a larger issue that is not clear yet.

Let me know what you find with this, and we can go from there.

Thanks

What scan tool would you recommend?

There are a ton of options that would be capable of this but here are some reviews that should help with some choices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr_Iv8T_Phk&t=43s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb7whGkD8vw&t=134s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY-1CsAzrFA

If these are not in your price range then the Autel product lines have a lot more options.