GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Immobilizer System Component Programming Except Canada

10-Minute Immobilizer Relearn

This 10-minute relearn procedure will relearn the start enable password between the theft deterrent module (TDM) and the engine control module (ECM).

  1. Connect a scan tool to the vehicle.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Ensure that all power consuming devices are turned OFF on the vehicle.
  4. With a scan tool, select Request Info. under Service Programming System and follow the scan tool on-screen instructions.
  5. Disconnect the scan tool from the vehicle and connect the scan tool to a Techline Terminal with the current Service Programming System (SPS) software.
  6. On the Techline Terminal, select Service Programming System and follow the Techline Terminal on-screen instructions. Ensure the correct programming selection is chose based on component being replaced or programmed. For this procedure, go to the V.T.D. Vehicle Theft Deterrent Learn menu and choose the Vehicle Theft Deterrent Learn for Powertrain System selection.
  7. Disconnect the scan tool from the Techline Terminal and reconnect the scan tool to the vehicle.
  8. With a master vehicle key, turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  9. With a scan tool, select Program ECU under Service Programming System.
  10. At this point the scan tool must remain connected for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.
  11. Important: 

       • The scan tool may initially display 12 Minutes. The first 2 minutes allow the scan tool to initialize the appropriate control module. The remaining 10 minutes is the relearn timer.
       • On some vehicles the security indicator may be illuminated for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

  12. Observe the scan tool, after approximately 10 minutes the scan tool will display "Programming Successful, Turn OFF Ignition". The vehicle is now ready to relearn the key information and/or the passwords on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK.
  13. Turn OFF the ignition and wait 2 minutes.
  14. With a master vehicle key, turn the ignition to the RUN position for 15 seconds, then start the vehicle. The TDM and ECM have now relearned the pre-release password and the challenge/response data.
  15. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs.

30-Minute Immobilizer Relearn

This 30-minute relearn procedure will relearn the start enable password between the theft deterrent module (TDM) and the engine control module (ECM).

  1. With a master vehicle key, turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Observe the security indicator. After approximately 10 minutes, the telltale will turn OFF.
  3. Turn OFF the ignition, and wait 5 seconds.
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 two more times for a total of 3 cycles or 30 minutes.
  5. Important: The vehicle learns the password on the ignition switch transition from OFF to RUN. You must turn the ignition OFF before attempting to start the vehicle.

  6. With a master vehicle key, start the vehicle. The vehicle has now learned the key transponder information and/or the ECM has now learned the fuel continue password.
  7. If additional keys are required to be learned, refer to Adding Keys .
  8. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs.

Immobilizer System Component Programming Canada

10-Minute Immobilizer Relearn

This 10-minute relearn procedure will relearn the start enable password between the theft deterrent module (TDM) and the engine control module (ECM).

  1. Connect a scan tool to the vehicle.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Ensure that all power consuming devices are turned OFF on the vehicle.
  4. With a scan tool, select Request Info. under Service Programming System and follow the scan tool on-screen instructions.
  5. Disconnect the scan tool from the vehicle and connect the scan tool to a Techline Terminal with the current Service Programming System (SPS) software.
  6. On the Techline Terminal, select Service Programming System and follow the Techline Terminal on-screen instructions. Ensure the correct programming selection is chose based on component being replaced or programmed. For this procedure, go to the V.T.D. Vehicle Theft Deterrent Learn menu and choose the Vehicle Theft Deterrent Learn for Powertrain System selection.
  7. Disconnect the scan tool from the Techline Terminal and reconnect the scan tool to the vehicle.
  8. With a master vehicle key, turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  9. With a scan tool, select Program ECU under Service Programming System.
  10. At this point the scan tool must remain connected for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.
  11. Important: 

       • The scan tool may initially display 12 Minutes. The first 2 minutes allow the scan tool to initialize the appropriate control module. The remaining 10 minutes is the relearn timer.
       • On some vehicles the security indicator may be illuminated for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

  12. Observe the scan tool, after approximately 10 minutes the scan tool will display "Programming Successful, Turn OFF Ignition". The vehicle is now ready to relearn the key information and/or the passwords on the next ignition switch transition from OFF to CRANK.
  13. Turn OFF the ignition and wait 2 minutes.
  14. With a master vehicle key, turn the ignition to the RUN position for 15 seconds, then start the vehicle. The TDM and ECM have now relearned the pre-release password and the challenge/response data.
  15. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs.