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I left my 2003 Civic parked in the driveway for 6 days and when I went to move it, it was completely locked down. No power, ignition, wheels wouldn't even budge (as if e-brake is locked)- totally immobilized. My non-dealer mechanic says it's a computer generated lock down that activates when the car isn't driven/started for a length of time, but I have left it for longer and this hasn't happened. Does this sound legit and is there a hack around it so I can avoid a costly trip to the dealer?

Thanks for any insights!

 
Rep Power: 244

What?!?

Dead battery? It is possible the parking brake is locked up.

 
Rep Power: 518

That's the best bullsh!t line I've heard all day.



Dead battery, charge it up or jump start it.

Brakes rusted in place, it probably rained while the car sat. They will pop free once the car is running and you try to drive it.

 
Rep Power: 210

WTF?


i have left mine at the airport for two weeks before, came back and it started right up

 
Rep Power: 512

I'm gonna hop on the "what the hell kinda bs is that?" train. Find yourself a new mechanic or, if you have the capability, DIY fixes on your car.

I've left my car for months while I was deployed and it started right up. Granted, I disconnected the battery while it sat for more than a month, but anything a month or less I left the battery connected and it was fine.

follow ezone's advice. New battery, get a jump or charge it, and the brakes probably rusted. Get it rolling and it'll break loose.

Lol.. computer generated lock down. I'm pretty sure the only connection between the ecu and the brakes is ABS, if your car is equipped with it. Even then, it can't force the brakes to lock themselves down.

 
Rep Power: 518

How much does your mechanic want to charge you to re-enable the car from the computer generated lock down?

I'll do it for half his fee, but you gotta get the car to me.

 
Rep Power: 204

Oh man can you imagine how much backlash Honda would have gotten if they would have done something like that? The radio code pisses off enough people as it is.

.....and you should probably find a mechanic that has some clue about Honda's

 
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LOL I just bought a manual transmission Civic that wouldn't roll either. Was the parking brake on? Mine was for about 3 months.

Just jack up the rear wheels and try spinning them by hand. On mine the drivers side spun but the passenger side was locked even with the parking brake released. I just had to take that tire off and smack the brake drum with a hammer a couple times to get the parking brake arm to release. the wheel started spinning, put the tire on it and drove away.

 
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Ask your mechanic how much he is going to change you for "new computer"