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.
Anti-Theft System
Anti-theft system monitors vehicle doors, ignition switch, power door locks and door key cylinder switches to determine if alarm should trigger and prevent engine from starting. When an unauthorized entry is detected, system responds by sounding horn, flashing headlights, flashing taillights and flashing parking lights for 3 minutes. BCM also sends a message to PCM to prevent engine from starting.
System can be armed by using remote keyless entry transmitter or by pressing power door lock switch when exiting vehicle. Anti-theft system uses a security light located above instrument cluster to indicate when system is armed. System can be disarmed by unlocking a front door, liftgate or by remote keyless entry transmitter. If vehicle is tampered with anti-theft indicator light will change from a slow steady flash to a quick double flash and horn chirp will not function when unlock command is received from remote keyless entry transmitter.
Panic alert mode flashes headlight and taillights, pulses horn and disarms alarm. Driver can exit panic alert mode by either pushing panic button on remote keyless entry transmitter or by driving vehicle above 15 MPH.
Whenever BCM is replaced, anti-theft system must be enabled by unlocking doors with key one time or by using scan tool. This allows BCM to see that the vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft system.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.