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.
Procedure to Set Up a New Theft Deterrent Control Module
Use this procedure only if replacing the theft deterrent control module with a GM SPO replacement part.
- Connect the scan tool to the vehicle.
- Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
- With the scan tool, select Module setup under the Theft Deterrent Module. Follow the scan tool on screen instructions.
- When replacing a theft deterrent control module with a GM SPO replacement part, the module will learn keys immediately. The existing engine control module ECM however, must learn the new fuel continue password when the theft deterrent control module is replaced.
- When replacing an ECM with a GM SPO replacement part, after programming, these modules will learn the incoming fuel continue password immediately upon receipt of a password message. Once a password message is received, and a password is learned, a relearn procedure must be performed to change this password again. A ECM which has been previously installed in another vehicle will have learned the fuel continue password of the other vehicle theft deterrent control module and will require performing the 10 Minute Re-Learn Procedure to learn the fuel continue password of the current vehicle theft deterrent control module.
- When performing the 10 Minute Re-Learn Procedure, all previously learned keys will be erased from the theft deterrent control module memory.
- Additional keys may be learned immediately after the 10 Minute Re-Learn Procedure. Refer to Adding Keys (Canada, Europe, Middle East, and Asia) .
- When performing the 10 Minute Re-Learn Procedure, 1 master passkey III+ (PK3+) key is required. If a gray valet key is learned first, the theft deterrent control module will not allow additional keys to be learned.
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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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.
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