GMC Theft Deterrent System Reset: How To Perform It?

Many drivers do not know how to perform a GMC theft deterrent system reset.

However, it is important to take this knowledge as the innovation protects your car from breaking in, and it should be reset sometimes due to some malfunctions.

I will tell you the resetting process and dig into the reasons triggering the mechanism for deeper understanding. Let’s scroll down for more!

What Is The GMC Theft Deterrent System?

gmc theft deterrent system reset

GMC theft deterrent system tells car owners when thieves are trying to break into their vehicles.

The mechanism includes external and internal sensors working in harmony to detect any break-in attempt.

Once the attempt is detected, the car engine will be immobilized, and you will hear the beeping alarm. You can turn the sound off using your original key fob.

This service security theft system is designed to prevent car thieves.

However, just like other automobile functions, it can experience faulty issues. In these cases, you will see the service theft deterrent system light on, notifying you about the malfunctions.

What Are The Reasons For Triggering The GMC Theft Deterrent System?

Dead Key Fob Battery

After activation, your service theft deterrent system Chevy can be deactivated by the key fob. Plus, leaving the key fob inside the ignition works as well.

However, sometimes you may have problems with your key fob battery or other issues, causing it impossible to disable the system.

There will be an error, and the mechanism will recognize you as a potential threat. Thus, the function is enabled.

Broken Key Fob Transponder

When you face a situation where the service theft deterrent system car won’t start, you’ll likely have a problem with your transponder chip.

It’s a small detail inside the key fob, connecting with the vehicle’s immobilizer to start your car.

The immobilizer will not recognize the chip if it’s broken or the record information is lost. Thus, you’ll have problems with starting your car.

Low Level Of Battery Charge

The system uses electricity from a battery to operate. However, an error will be shown if the battery power is too low.

The issue of a low or dead battery can also lead to other failures when you try to start the engine, run the accessories, or turn on the lights. That’s also why your key fob won’t unlock your car.

Faulty Theft Deterrent System

The GMC service theft deterrent system is electronic and consists of many sensors. It’s not rare when sometimes, some parts may experience malfunctions.

Once you find out the reason for triggering the system is not due to the key fob or car battery, the underlying cause is inside the mechanism.

However, diagnosis is not easy. I advise you to go to a professional mechanic to solve the problem.

So how to reset the service theft deterrent system? 

GMC Theft Deterrent System Reset – How To Do It?

service deterrent system gmc

The process is not difficult, and almost everybody can do it.

First, you need to unlock the doors, turn on the ignition, press lock the doors again (with the doors open) and wait for the security light to appear again.

Press The Button To Unlock The Doors

The first thing you can do when you have a service deterrent system Chevy gone off is to reset it by unlocking the doors.

Press the Unlock button, which looks like an opened lock on your key fob. If you can’t operate the key fob, try to use the physical key instead.

One bad news is the key fob and the physical key are the only two ways to unlock the doors. So if you can’t perform the action with these two methods, you will need more assistance.

Switch On The Ignition

If you’ve successfully unlocked the doors and got inside the car, the next thing you need to do is turn on the ignition to deactivate the alert sound.

Switch on the ignition based on what type of key you have. If it’s keyless, press the push button to start. Otherwise, insert the key and turn it in the proper direction to start.

Lock The Doors Again

Once the signal of the service theft deterrent system goes off, you can perform reactivation. First, you should ensure all vehicle doors are open but everything else is closed.

Otherwise, you can’t activate the alarm again.

Then, choose one of the methods below to enable the mechanism. Select the lock button from inside the vehicle.

Remember, the door is still open at this step, and other parts, such as the trunk and liftgate, should be in a closed position.

The other option is to use the fob key. Get out of the vehicle, close all doors, and press the lock button to lock all doors.

Wait For The Security System Light To Illuminate

Once you’ve finished the above steps, the security light should be bright again. You should look for it near the steering wheel with the light flashing.

Some models have light blinking almost immediately, while others need up to ten seconds to illuminate the light. So be patient and give yourself a vehicle sometimes.

Once you see the sign is back, you’ve successfully reset the theft deterrent system.

Other Ways To Fix The GMC Theft Deterrent System

how do i get my gmc out of theft mode

Charge The Car Battery

You should ensure your battery charge is full. If you feel uncomfortable performing the checking, I highly recommend you take out the charge and bring it to the local repair shop.

You can have a free inspection there.

If you’re confident and have some automobile knowledge, you can use the multimeter and follow the steps below:

  • Switch on the headlights for some minutes to eliminate any surface charge causing a mistake in reading. If you see the lights are off, you have a dead battery and should charge it.
  • Wait for a couple of minutes and switch off the headlights.
  • Set the voltage range on your multimeter from 5 to 20.
  • Connect the multimeter’s negative terminal to the battery’s negative side. And perform the same with the positive side.
  • Read the result. You’ll likely have a dead battery if it can’t reach at least 12.6 volts.

Charge your battery if the reading is below 12.6 volts by attaching it to a charger. If it does not work, you need to have a battery replacement.

The cost of replacing is from $40 and $300, depending on your car type and capacity requirement.

Replace Key Fob or Battery

When your key fob battery is dead, you can struggle with many problems. The service deterrent system GMC can’t link the proper key to the car. As a result, the system is still active.

To know that you have a dead fob key, try to press other buttons to enable different functions to lock or unlock the door.

Besides, sustained damage to the fob may require replacement. You’d better visit the dealership to change the component, as it may need a special setup.

You can also call and tell them your car’s VIN code to perform the replacement. You can also try to find online if the detail is available for your vehicle and order it.

Generally, replacing the fob battery costs around $10, which is not too expensive. However, you may need to pay $50 to $100 for a new fob key.

If you want an advanced system with reprogramming, it will be more than $110.

Check The Trouble Codes

OBD2 scanner is a tool to read the trouble codes to identify what is happening with your theft deterrent system GMC Sierra, GMC Sierra transmission problems, or any other mechanical issues.

You can do it yourself; however, in my experience, a cheap scanner may not work properly, causing a faulty result or impossible to check.

So, you’d better buy a good tool or book an appointment with a certified mechanic.

Go To The Local Repair Shop

If you’re unsure how to fix the theft deterrent system, look at the manual book. It may include the solution to your problem.

Otherwise, you can bring your car to the repair shop to address the issue. In case it’s impossible to drive your vehicle, call a towing service and pay them extra money.

The Bottom Lines

Follow my steps for the GMC theft deterrent system reset above to help the mechanism return to normal.

There are different reasons causing the GMC or the Chevy service deterrent system to malfunction.

If you can’t determine the issue, bring your vehicle to a professional repair shop for a proper diagnosis.

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