GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 811473  Size: A1

Your vehicle is equipped with a content theft-deterrent alarm system.

Here is how to operate the system:

  1. Open the door.
  2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or the remote keyless entry transmitter. The security light should flash.
  3. Close all doors. The security light should turn off after approximately 30 seconds. The alarm is not armed until the security light turns off.

If a locked door is opened without the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. The headlamps and parking lamps will flash for two minutes, and the horn will sound for 30 seconds, 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 or use the manual door lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock switch with the door open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter. 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 a key, or use the remote keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any other way will set off the alarm.

If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door with the key. You can also turn off the alarm by pressing unlock on the remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm will not stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.

Testing the Alarm

The alarm can be tested by following these steps:

  1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver's window and open the driver's door.
  2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the power door lock switch while the door is open, or with the remote keyless entry transmitter.
  3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for the security light to go out.
  4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door. This should set off the alarm.

When the alarm is set the power door unlock switch is not operational.

If the alarm does not sound when it should but the headlamps 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 headlamps do not flash, the vehicle should be serviced by your dealer.