INFO ON THEFT DETERRENT ALARM SYSTEM INTERMITTENT ACTIVATION. Buick LeSabre 1994

THIS IS A MONTHLY SERVICE NEWSLETTER ARTICLE. THIS BULLETIN IS NOT INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION.

SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON THEFT DETERRENT ALARM SYSTEM INTERMITTENT ACTIVATION AND/OR SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON

MODELS: 1992-98 BUICK LESABRE 1991-96 BUICK PARK AVENUE/ULTRA

ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE FORCED ENTRY THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS, A COMMON CONDITION HAS THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYING ON FOR ONE MINUTE OR LONGER, OR THE ALARM GOING OFF AFTER THE CAR IS LOCKED. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE TAMPER SWITCHES OR WIRING FROM THEFT DETERRENT/RFA MODULE TO THE SWITCHES.

THE FIRST STEP IN DIAGNOSING THEFT DETERRENT PROBLEMS IS TO CONFIRM THE CAR HAS THE OPTION (UA6) ON THE SPID LABEL IN THE TRUNK. ON LATER MODEL CARS (96 AND UP), WHERE THE THEFT ELECTRONICS RESIDE IN THE RFA MODULE, THIS OPTION CAN BE TURNED ON OR OFF IN THE VEHICLE'S SOFTWARE. IF THE RFA MODULE IS REPLACED, THE OPTION IS ENABLED IN THE REPLACEMENT PART FROM GMSPO AND MUST BE TURNED OFF FOR A CAR NOT EQUIPPED WITH UA6. IF NOT TURNED OFF, WHEN THE CAR DOOR IS OPENED WITH A KEY, THE ALARM WILL SOUND. USE A TECH 1 OR 2 TO TURN OFF THE OPTION.

ON OTHER CARS THAT HAVE THE SYSTEM AND HAVE THE OTHER PROBLEMS, AN EASY WAY TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION IS TO BACK OUT THE LIGHT BLUE WIRE AT THE MODULE (CKT 263) AND SEE IF THE CAR NO LONGER HAS THE SECURITY LIGHT MODING PROBLEM OR THE ALARM GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE CAR IS LOCKED. IF THE SYSTEM OPERATES NORMALLY, CHECK THE TAMPER SWITCHES AND THE WIRING FROM THE MODULE TO THE SWITCHES FOR A SHORT TO GROUND.

IF THE CAR STILL HAS THE PROBLEM, THEN THE THEFT DETERRENT PROBLEM IS IN THE DOOR LATCH (OR DOOR JAM) SWITCH CKT. CHECK THE SWITCHES FOR PROPER OPERATION. CHECKING FROM THE MODULE CONNECTOR, THE SWITCHES SHOULD BE OPEN WHEN THE DOORS ARE CLOSED AND HAVE CONTINUITY TO GROUND WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPEN. IF THERE IS RESISTANCE ON THE CKT WHEN THE DOORS ARE CLOSED, FIND THE SOURCE OF RESISTANCE TO GROUND AND REPAIR. THE RESISTANCE TEST IS ALSO VALID FOR THE TAMPER SWITCHES AND ASSOCIATED CIRCUIT EXCEPT THEY SHOULD SHOW OPEN ALL OF THE TIME.

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GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.