Frequently Asked Questions:
My car won't start and the interlock screen reads "Device Lockout."
This means that your interlock unit was previously counting down a timer until your device would lockout, caused by a violation. By state law, if you do not come in for service by the time that countdown of days expires, your vehicle will lock you out of the ignition.
My interlock screen says "Service in X Days." What does this mean?
That means that your required recalibration service is due soon. Make sure you get in for an appointment before the countdown expires. If you go past the last day on this service countdown, you will be charged a $50 late fee. Recalibrations can be scheduled by visiting www.interlockappointment.com or calling us.
I blew in to my interlock unit and the screen reads "Test Failed." I wasn't drinking, what does this mean?
"Test Failed" means that alcohol was detected during your test. This does not mean that you were drinking, but it means that there is likely a contaminant containing alcohol in your system or in your vehicle. Common culprits are mouthwash, perfume, aftershave, hand sanitizer, air fresheners, fermented teas, gasoline cans, leaking or open cleaning products, and excessive usage of windshield washer fluid. Check your vehicle for any of these products and remove them. Also try airing your vehicle out to get rid of any fumes you may be inhaling that contain alcohol. Avoid using products containing alcohol on yourself for at least 15 minutes before driving. Too many failed tests from alcohol detection will cause a violation, so if you fail one test, please do not test again until you feel sure that you have eliminated the alcohol and will pass the next test.
Will the interlock turn my engine off if I fail a test while driving?
The interlock will never shut your engine off. If you fail a test or do not take it properly, the horn will start honking on your vehicle and the hazard lights will start flashing. The honking and flashing will continue until you either pass a test or pull over and shut the vehicle off.
Why did my horn start honking and my lights start flashing when I took a rolling retest?
This is a warning to other drivers that you did not pass your rolling retest.
If the screen displays "TEST FAILED," that means alcohol was detected. The warnings will continue to sound until you pull the car over and shut it off. Upon shutting the vehicle off, you will see a 15 minute timer. This is how long you have to wait before you can attempt to retest. If after the 15 minutes is up, you can pass a test, you can start your vehicle up again.
If the screen displays "REPEAT TEST" along with an instructions like "BLOW LONGER," "SUCK AFTER BLOW," OR "BLOW HARDER," this means that your test was taken improperly and you need to repeat it. You may continue to drive, or pull over to the side of the road. Whichever you feel more comfortable doing. Follow the instructions that the handset gives you for what you did wrong (ex. BLOW HARDER). Hit the OK button on the handset and when the screen reads "READY FOR TEST," you may repeat the test. If you pass it, the horn and lights will stop. If you do not pass it, the horn and lights will continue to signal until you pass a test or turn the vehicle off. If you turn the vehicle off, you will need to pass a test to start it back up again.
I do not know when to suck back because my handset is not making a clicking noise.
When you blow in to your handset, you will hear a steady tone until it has received the proper volume of air. Once you have blown long enough, that tone will stop- indicating that you need to transition to the "suck back" portion of the test. While some handsets do make a clicking noise at the same time that the tone stops, it is NOT the clicking noise that you should be listening for. That is not a constant, and a lack of clicking does NOT mean your handset is broken. You should blow until the high pitched tone stops, and then suck air backwards.
I think I'm taking the test properly, but it will not let me start my car. Why?
Always look at the screen of your handset after taking a test. If your test was not accepted, the screen will tell you why. TEST FAILED means that alcohol was detected. BLOW HARDER/SOFTER means you need to adjust the intensity of your airflow. SUCK AFTER BLOW means that you are either forgetting to suck air back after the tone stops, or that you are not transitioning to the suck back quick enough. The suck back must be instant- no pausing of airflow during the transition. BLOW LONGER means that you did not blow long enough until the tone stopped. SUCK LONGER means that you stopped sucking air backwards too soon. Adjust your technique according to the message and repeat the test.
My handset takes forever to warm up in the cold weather!
Your interlock unit is designed to withstand extreme temperatures and will not break in the cold. However, it does need to come up to a certain temperature to be able to analyze your breath tests. There are heating coils that will warm up the handset upon you turning your key to the ON position. This warm up may take a few minutes though and you will need to be patient. The warm up times will depend on the temperature of the handset. Parking indoors or warming the handset up in your hands will help it come up to temperature faster. Unfortunately, by state law you are not allowed to unplug your handset and bring it inside, as the state sees this as a potential window for tampering with the unit. Your handset must remain plugged in at all times, or a violation may be recorded.
My handset screen displays "Check Mouthpiece." What does that mean?
If you get a check mouthpiece message, we will have you try a few things. First make sure your mouthpiece is plugged into the handset securely. You may also try swapping it out for a new mouthpiece, as the current one may have a crack in it allowing airflow to escape. If these do not work, try taking your mouthpiece out, and then firmly hitting the front side of the handset (where the mouthpiece hole is) against your palm. If none of these solutions work, please call our technical support line for additional help.
I failed several tests due to alcohol detection and was issued a violation and a reset fee. I don't want to pay this, as I was not drinking!
The interlock unit will only detect the chemical element of alcohol. It will not tell us if the alcohol detected was from a beer or your mouthwash. It will only tell us that alcohol was detected, and by state law, we must report that. Per the contract that you signed with us, and signs in our shops, alcohol violations are NON NEGOTIABLE and will be assessed to your account, regardless of the reason alcohol was detected. Please take great care to avoid using products containing alcohol when you plan on driving soon.
I can't make it in on time for my required recalibration appointment, what will happen?
State law says that your recalibration must be performed on time. If you do not get recalibrated by your required date, we are mandated to report that to the state. This puts you as non compliant with your court order and repercussions from the DMV may occur. We will also be assessing a $50 late fee to your account, per the contract you signed. If you cannot come in on your required date, we recommend you come in at an earlier date, or have someone else bring the vehicle in for you. In emergency situations, we may be able to make accommodations, but you will need to call our main office to discuss options.
When can I get my interlock unit removed?
We are not a government agency and do not have access to these records. Check the back of your driver's license, under the restrictions listings, for a section that says "functioning IID required until xx/xx/xxxx." That is the date you can have your interlock unit removed. If no date is listed on your license, you can call the WI DOT at (608)266-2353 and inquire about your removal date.
What kind of payments do you accept?
We accept credit, debit, cash, personal check, cashiers check or money order for installs and monthly service appointments. Personal checks are not accepted at removal. The shops do not have change on site, so if you are paying cash you should bring exact change. If you do not bring exact change, anything you pay over the amount due will be a credit towards your next invoice.
What does the Ignition Interlock do?
The Drager Ignition Interlock is a device similar to the breathalyzer law enforcement uses. You blow into the device to test your BAC level, and if no alcohol registers, you are able to start and drive your vehicle. If your BAC level is too high, your vehicle won't start. All systems in Wisconsin require additional tests while driving; any alcohol detected once the vehicle has been started will cause the alerts to sound. We do not and cannot shut your vehicle down once it has been started. Your safety and compliance are a priority for us.
Wisconsin Ignition Interlock Device employees will demonstrate how to use the device when you arrive for installation.
What kind of monitoring is involved?
The Interlock Device records all BAC records - such as vehicle starts, engine shut-offs and violations - including the date and time of all events. These events are uploaded upon recalibration and a report is drawn for the County to review.
How often is the monitoring? Monitoring or recalibration of the IID is required every two months. We provide this service at no extra charge.
What happens if alcohol is detected by the Interlock Ignition Device?
After a failed test, the vehicle will not start and the test will be recorded as a failed test. Repeated failed tests could result in the device going into what is known as a temporary lockout. The lockout period appears on the interlock device handset. After the lockout period has ended, you will be able to retest.
In the event you fail a "rolling retest" (a test while the car is running), the alerts will sound on the device. These are usually tied into your vehicles headlights or flashers and horn. We don not and cannot stop the car from running. This is required to ensure your compliance with the IID program in Wisconsin. To get the alert to stop sounding, simply pull over and turn off the vehicle. After a temporary lockout period, you will be able to retest to start your vehicle again.
Will the installation of the ignition interlock damage my vehicle?
No. The IID unit is only connected to the wiring under the dash. At the end of the program, this wiring is restored to pre-IID installation conditions.
Why is servicing the interlock every 60 days so important?
Service is required every 60 days to recalibrate the Interlock. If service is not made on your Interlock, the device will permanently lock you out until a Wisconsin Ignition Interlock employee can remove the lockout. This recalibration is to ensure the device is still reading properly and functioning as it should be. It also serves as a point for us to upload the events from your device into a report for your program file. Not having these reports could affect how long you need the device installed for.
Do I own the device once it is installed?
No, you are leasing the device from Wisconsin Ignition Interlock Device. All service providers in the Wisconsin area lease the device. Our staff will inform you of how to properly care for our device.