GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 807083  Size: A1

If your vehicle has the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system, the vehicle has a content theft-deterrent alarm system.

To activate the content theft-deterrent system:

  1. Close all the doors.
  2. Lock the doors with the RKE transmitter. The security light, located on the instrument panel cluster, will flash.

If the lock button on the RKE transmitter is pressed, but a door is open, the horn will chirp six times. Press the lock button again, within three seconds, and the doors will lock. Close the open door and the system will be activated.

If a locked door is not opened using the RKE transmitter, or by OnStar®, the pre-alarm will go off. If the engine is not started or unlock not pressed within 10 seconds, the front turn signal lamps will flash for two minutes, and the horn will sound for two minutes, then will turn off to save the battery power.

Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not activate if you lock the doors with a key, the manual door lock, or power door lock switch. The system can only be activated using the RKE transmitter, or by OnStar®. See OnStar® System for additional information. You should also remember that you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm has been set off.

Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:

    • If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent system, the vehicle should be locked with the door key after the doors are closed.
    • Always unlock a door with the RKE transmitter. Unlocking a door any other way will set off the alarm.

If you set off the alarm by accident, you can turn off the alarm by pressing unlock on the RKE transmitter. The alarm will not stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.

Testing the Alarm

To test the alarm:

  1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system by locking the doors with the RKE transmitter.
  2. Unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door. This should set off the alarm.
  3. To turn the alarm off, press the unlock button on the RKE transmitter or start the engine.

If the alarm does not sound when it should but the lights flash, check to see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit Breakers .

If the alarm does not sound or the front turn signal lamps do not flash, see your dealer/retailer for service.