Insert the ignition key into the ignition cylinder. The wire coils surrounding the ignition cylinder energizes a transponder pellet located within the plastic portion of the ignition key. The energized transponder transmits a unique value by radio frequency back to the coils which are part of the theft deterrent module. When the theft deterrent module detects the ignition voltage (the ignition switch is in RUN or START) the module measures the transponder pellet value being received by the coils. The theft deterrent module validates this value and performs the following functions:

This password is unique for each theft deterrent module, thus preventing a thief from swapping one of the following in order to start the vehicle:

If the PCM receives an invalid password indicating a swapped theft deterrent module or PCM, the following systems are not enabled:

If you turn the ignition switch to RUN at anytime during the system disable interval, the theft deterrent module disregards the transponder value until the 3 minute system disable interval is complete (even if an ignition key using a valid transponder is used).

When the system disable interval expires, the theft deterrent module measures the ignition key transponder value when the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position.

If the theft deterrent module is unable to measure the ignition key transponder value (due to a damaged or wrong key), the theft deterrent module performs the system disable functions. The module does not activate the 3 minute system disable interval. An ignition key using a valid transponder value may be used in order to start the vehicle.

The ignition key for theft deterrent equipped vehicles is a typical ignition key using a transponder pellet located in the plastic end of the key. This vehicle has the following 2 types of ignition keys:

The ignition key transponder value is used in order to determine if a valid ignition key is being used in order to start the vehicle. There are approximately 3 trillion different transponder values available. The transponder values may meet the following conditions:

The ignition lock cylinder is located within the theft deterrent module. The lock cylinder may be replaced separately. When replacing the ignition lock cylinder, refer to Theft Deterrent System Auto Learn Procedure.

The theft deterrent module is located within the steering column. The theft deterrent module inputs and outputs are the following types:

The PCM verifies that the following system passwords received from the theft deterrent module via the class 2 serial data line are valid:

The PCM disables the fuel and starting systems if any of the following conditions occur:

If the system enable password is valid, the following conditions may occur