How to Reset a GM Theft Deterrent

by Johnno CaryUpdated August 06, 2023

Chevrolet image by Eduard Shelesnjak from Fotolia.com

General Motors is an automobile manufacturer that owns Chevrolet (Chevy), Buick, GMC and Cadillac. Current automobiles like the Silverado use a vehicle anti-theft system alarm to prevent break-ins. The horn will sound while the head light turns on and off, running on the car battery. This will continue for several minutes unless you deactivate the alarm with the key fob, entering the passkey into the passlock or using the ignition key in the driver’s side door lock. After deactivating it, you can reset the alarm to ensure that your GM vehicle security system is set correctly.

Things You'll Need:

Key fob
GM car key

1. Use your GM keyless remote to unlock the doors

Use your GM keyless remote to unlock the doors by pressing the "Unlock" button. This button looks like an opened lock and is the best method for keyless entry. The other option is to unlock the doors with the GM key, and turn the car ignition switch key on via the lock cylinder. These are the only two options for manually deactivating the alarm, and trying to unlock the doors in any other way will not work. In the instance that you lose this key, talk with your local dealership to get a new key, work on your key transponder, update your body control module (BCM) and generally help you operate the service theft deterrent system.

2. Exit the car and leave the door open

Exit the car and leave the door open. Press the lock switch from inside the car to lock the doors. Be sure all other doors, trunk, hood and lift gate are also closed. To reset anti-theft systems, you must make sure nothing else is left open.

3. Close the door and wait for the security light to stop flashing

Close the door and wait for the security light to stop flashing from inside the car. Another option is to close the doors first, and then press the "Lock" button on the keyless remote. This will also pre-arm the theft-deterrent alarm system. If you do not open the doors or press the unlock button on the keyless remote for 10 seconds, the theft-system will go into armed stage.