Child Security Lock Feature Deleted

When servicing the vehicle with the VIN you entered, the following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms.

The 2003 Chevrolet Impala LS (VIN digit 4/5 are WH) has deleted the child security lock feature from the vehicle. A number of early build 2003 Chevrolet Impala LS vehicles were shipped with a window sticker erroneously indicating that the feature was on the vehicle as standard equipment. It is not.

Only those vehicles that can be confirmed as having an incorrect window sticker, the customer should be directed to Chevrolet Customer Assitance (1 -800 -222 -1020). Customer Assistance will work with the customer and the dealership to resolve the issue. If Customer Assistance agrees to retrofit the child security locks, the dealer will be mailed a packet of instructions, part numbers, and door end templates to perform the retrofit.

This condition was corrected by the 9/1/02 build time frame.

Should an installation concern arise, the following are steps from the Customer Assistance packet. No template is given due to dimension criteria (could be reproduced, shrunk or expanded). If an additional template(s) is needed, the dealer will need to contact Chevrolet Customer Assistance.

1. Remove the rear door handle trim bezel.
2. Remove the rear door pull cup.
3. Remove the 2 torque screws under the pull cup.
4. Remove the rear door trim panel using J 38778 to disengage the fasteners from the door inner panel.
5. Partially remove the top rear corner of the water deflector.
6. Remove the outside handle lock rod.
7. Remove the inside handle lock rods from the inside handle.
8. Remove the latch screws.
9. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
10. Remove the latch assembly.
11. Using an Xacto™ knife, cut the outline of the latch and the child security hole out of the template.
12. Tape the template to the hole in the door (latch hole).
13. Using a paint pen, mark location of child security hole.
14. Drill a hole through the door and use a die grinder to remove the rest off the child security hole.
15. Use an acid etch primer to coat the metal and touch up hole.
16. Transfer the door lock actuator and tighten the screws to 2 N·m(18  lb  in).
17. Transfer the inside handle rods.
18. Reconnect the electrical connectors.
19. Install the latch screws and tighten to 10 N·m(89 lb  in).
20. Install the outside handle lock rod.
21. Install the door trim panel.
22. Install the two torque screws under the pull cup trim and tighten to 6 N·m(53  lb in).
23. Install the rear door pull cup and tighten to 6 N·m(53  lb  in).

Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms.