Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Content Theft Deterrent Circuit Description
The following is a description of each component used in the content theft deterrent system:
Body Control Module
The content theft deterrent system is an internal function of the BCM which utilizes serial data and various switch inputs information to perform content theft deterrent functions. When the BCM detects an unauthorized entry, it activates the horns and exterior lamps. The BCM has 4 basic modes (disarmed, standby, armed, and alarm) for operating the content theft deterrent system. The different modes are described below.
- The BCM has the content theft deterrent system in a disarmed mode until the following conditions are detected:
- Ignition key turned to the OFF position.
- Doors locked by the LOCK button on the transmitter.
- The BCM enters the standby mode when the above conditions are detected. If a door was already opened when the arm mode was requested, the standby mode does not start the timer until the last door is closed.
- When the last door is closed, a 15 second timer is activated. Once the timer has expired, the BCM enters the armed mode. After this delay, any unauthorized entry will activate the alarm mode.
- When the BCM detects an unauthorized entry, the BCM enters the alarm mode. The BCM activates the horns and exterior lamps for 30 seconds. This is followed by a three minute time-out with the horn no longer active.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.
Remote Control Door Lock Receiver
The keyless entry system can arm and disarm the content theft deterrent system. When the remote control door lock receiver receives a door lock or unlock signal from the transmitter, the remote control door lock receiver sends a message to the BCM via serial data to perform the appropriate arm/disarm functions.
Door Ajar Switches
The content theft deterrent system uses the door ajar switches as a status indicator to activate the alarm. The door ajar switches are monitored by the body control module via a discrete input from each door ajar switch. If the BCM receives a signal indicating a door is opened when the content theft deterrent system is armed, the BCM activates the alarm.
Hood Ajar Switch
The content theft deterrent system uses the hood ajar switch as a status indicator to activate the alarm. The BCM monitors the hood ajar switch via a discrete input from the switch. If the BCM receives a signal indicating the hood has been opened when the content theft deterrent system is armed, the BCM activates the alarm.
Rear Compartment Ajar Switch
The content theft deterrent system uses the rear compartment ajar switch as a status indicator to activate the alarm. The BCM monitors the rear compartment ajar switch via a discrete input from the switch. If the BCM receives a signal indicating the rear compartment has been opened when content theft deterrent system is armed, the BCM activates the alarm.
Inputs
The BCM monitors the following inputs for content theft deterrent:
- Door ajar switches
- Keyless entry transmitter LOCK/UNLOCK buttons; a message from the remote control door lock receiver
- Immobilizer status - The BCM uses the immobilizer status for disarming the system or silencing an alarm when the correct vehicle key is used to start the vehicle
- Rear compartment ajar switch
- Hood ajar switch
Outputs
The BCM controls the following for content theft deterrent:
- Horn relay
- Exterior lamps
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.