GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The content theft deterrent (CTD) system, when armed, is designed to deter vehicle content theft by pulsing the horns and exterior lamps for approximately 2 minutes when an unauthorized vehicle entry is detected. However, the CTD system does not affect engine starting.

An unauthorized entry can be any of the following with the CTD system armed:

    • When any door is opened without being unlocked by using the keyless entry transmitter to unlock the doors.
    • When any door is opened without being unlocked by using the correct key to manually unlock the RH front door.

The components of the system are:

    • Body Control Module (BCM)
    • RH and LH Door Ajar Switches
    • RH and LH Power Door Lock Switches
    • RH and LH Door Handle Switches
    • RH and LH Door Key Switches
    • Roof/Door Module

Important: The CTD system can be armed with the roof open.

Arming the CTD System

Use the following procedure in order to arm the system:

  1. Place the shift lever in P (park).
  2. Turn OFF the ignition.
  3. Open any door.
  4. Important: The system is not armed if the doors are locked manually. The power door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter must be used to arm the content theft deterrent (CTD) system.

    The CTD system will not arm from the power door lock switch if all doors are closed.

  5. Lock the doors with the power door lock switch or the LOCK button on the transmitter. The system is in arm pending mode and will not start the arming timer until all doors are closed. The security indicator will flash indicating arm pending mode. The CTD system will arm after the last door is closed.
  6. The system will arm approximately 30 seconds from the time that the last door is closed. This delay is shown by the SECURITY indicator ON STEADY. When the indicator transitions to OFF, the system is armed.

Locking The Vehicle Without Arming The CTD System

Locking the vehicle may be accomplished without arming the content theft deterrent (CTD) system. Use of the manual door locks or using the key to lock the doors will lock the vehicle but will not arm the CTD system.

Disarming an Armed System/Silencing an Alarm

If system arming has been requested by the power door lock switch or the keyless entry transmitter, it must be disarmed.

Important: Using the power door unlock switch or manually unlocking the doors from inside the vehicle does not disable the content theft deterrent (CTD) armed mode. Also, disconnecting the battery or pulling fuses does not disable the armed mode, since the BCM stores the CTD mode status in memory.

    • To disarm the CTD system in arm pending mode (SECURITY indicator flashing and doors open), perform one of the following:
       - Press either power door unlock switch.
       - Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter.
       - Insert a valid key into the ignition and start the vehicle.
    • To disarm the CTD system in the armed mode:
       - Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter.
       - Insert the correct key in the LH front door and manually unlock the vehicle
       - Insert a valid key into the ignition and start the vehicle.
    • To disarm the CTD system when activated (alarm mode).
       - Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter.
       - Insert a valid key into the ignition and start the vehicle.

CTD Circuit Description

The following is a description of components used in the content theft deterrent (CTD) system:

Body Control Module (BCM)

The CTD system is an internal function of the body control module (BCM) which utilizes class 2 serial data from the roof/door module and various switch input information to perform CTD functions. When the BCM detects an unauthorized entry, it activates the horns and exterior lamps.

When the BCM detects an unauthorized entry, the BCM enters the alarm mode. The BCM activates the horns and exterior lamps for 2 minutes. This is followed by a 3-minute time-out with the horn no longer active. If no new intrusions are detected after the time-out, the horn is not active. The system must be disarmed or the intrusion condition removed after the time-out for the system to exit alarm mode.

Door Ajar Switches

The CTD system uses the door ajar switches in the door assemblies as one method to activate the alarm. The roof/door module monitors the door ajar switches via a discrete input from each door ajar switch, if the roof/door module receives a ground signal from a door ajar switch when the CTD system is armed, the BCM activates the alarm.

Power Door Lock Switches

The power door lock switches are used to either arm or disarm the CTD system. Pressing the LOCK position will cause the CTD to arm after all doors are closed and the 30-second delay period has elapsed. Pressing the UNLOCK position will disarm the CTD system.

Inputs

The BCM monitors directly or serial data communication the following inputs:

    • Driver and passenger door ajar switches from the roof/door module through the serial data circuit to the BCM
    • Driver and passenger power door lock/unlock switches
    • Transmitter LOCK/UNLOCK buttons
    • Passlockā„¢ status (the BCM uses the Passlock status for disarming the system or silencing and alarm when the correct key is used)

Outputs

The BCM controls the following:

    • The horn relay
    • The exterior lights