GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Refer to Theft Deterrent System in Electrical Diagnosis Section 8A-133.

Circuit Description

The PCM controls fuel injector and starter operation based on a PASS-Key® III vehicle theft deterrent password from the vehicle Body Control Module. When the ignition is first turned ON, the Body Control Module sends a programmed PASS-Key® III password to the PCM. The PCM acknowledges the password and responds to the Body Control Module that normal fuel injector and starter operation will continue. If the PCM detects an incorrect password (PASS-Key® III system failure or attempted vehicle theft), DTC 1631 will set. The engine will not start as long as the condition is present.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM is detecting an incorrect vehicle theft deterrent password from the VTD system.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM will not illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL).
    • The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Fail Records data only. This information will not be stored as Freeze Frame data.
    • The PCM will disable the fuel injectors.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Info function or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed.

Diagnostic Aids

DTC P1631 indicates that the vehicle theft deterrent password that the PCM has learned does not agree with the password being received from the Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) system. This condition can occur if an incorrect key is being used when attempting to start the vehicle or if the Body Control Module (BCM) has been replaced and the PCM's password learn function has not been enabled. If the BCM has been replaced, the password must be relearned using approved Techline diagnostic equipment.

Refer to Theft Deterrent System in Electrical Diagnosis Section 8A-133 for further diagnosis.

Refer to On-Vehicle Service in Theft Deterrent Systems Section 9D for VTD system service procedures.

DTC P1631 - Theft Deterrent System Password Incorrect

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Perform the password learn procedure. Refer to Theft Deterrent Systems in Electrical Diagnosis.

Can the password learn procedure be performed successfully?

--

System OK

Go to Theft Deterrent System in Electrical Diagnosis