What is the cause for a glowing red light on clock display 1998 Toyota Corolla?

Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! That glowing red light on the clock display with the "X" through it is your Corolla's factory security indicator. It’s letting you know the immobilizer system is armed—kind of like a guard dog for your ignition. If it’s flashing when the car is off, that’s normal. It’s meant to discourage any would-be joyriders. However, if it stays on or acts weird when you’re trying to start the car, the system might be confused or detecting an issue with the key chip. In that case, try using a spare key if you’ve got one. If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554.