GM Vehicle Theft Deterrent Relearn Procedures

GM vehicles have three types of Vehicle Thief Deterrent (VTD) systems, each requiring
their own relearn procedure. Unless these procedures are correctly performed the
vehicle will not start after the PCM has been replaced. The three systems are:

Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS), Passkey & Passkey II – resistive chip

Passlock – coded lock cylinder

Passkey III – transponder ignition key

You can determine which system a vehicle has by the type of ignition key (VATS is not
shown but is very similar to Passkey and Passkey II):

Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) & Passkey – VATS and Passkey have a separate
module called the Theft Deterrent Module (TDM) that validates the resistive chip in the
ignition key. If the resistance value read by the TDM is what the TDM is expecting the
TDM will send a signal to the PCM informing the PCM that a valid key is present and the
PCM may start the vehicle. No relearn is required on a VATS equipped vehicle when
replacing the PCM.

Passkey II – In the Passkey II system the Body Control Module (BCM) performs the
theft deterrent function.The BCM validates the resistive chip in the ignition key. If
resistance value read by the BCM is what the BCM is expecting the BCM will send
a message over serial data to the PCM informing the PCM that a valid key is present and
the PCM may start the vehicle.

To perform a relearn on a Passkey II system make sure there is a fully charged battery
in the vehicle. The battery will be used for 30 minutes without the alternator available
for charging.
Connect a battery charger to the battery to ensure power is available while
programming. Both the BCM and PCM must be working and communicating
with each other.

1. Insert ignition key and turn to the “ON ” position. Do not attempt to start the engine.
Leave the key in the “ON ” position for approximately 11 minutes. The security light will
be steady on or flashing for the 11-minute period. Do not proceed to Step 2 until the
security light turns off or stops flashing.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF ” position for 30 seconds.

3. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON ” position as in Step 1 for 11 minutes.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF ” position for 30 seconds.

5. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON ” position as in Step 1 for 11 minutes for a third
time.

6. Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF ” position for 30 seconds for a third time.

7. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON ” position for 30 seconds.

8. Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF ” position.

9. Attempt to start the engine.

If the engine starts and runs the relearn is complete.

Passlock – coded lock cylinder. The Passlock anti-theft system requires the
presence of a key in the lock cylinder to enable starting. The lock cylinder
contains a stationary Hall effect sensor and a rotating magnet. When the key is
turned in the lock cylinder, the magnet creates a signal on the Hall effect sensor.
The cylinder then sends a coded signal to the instrument panel cluster (IPC)or
body control module (BCM). If the IPC/BCM receives the expected coded signal,
the IPC/BCM will send a message over serial data to inform the PCM that the
vehicle may be started.

To perform a relearn on a Passlock system make sure there is a fully charged battery in
the vehicle. The battery will be used for 30 minutes without the alternator available for
charging. Connect a battery charger to the battery to ensure power is available while
programming. Both the IPC/BCM and PCM must be working and
communicating with each other.

1. Turn ignition on.

3. Observe the “SECURITY ” indicator light. After 10 minutes the “SECURITY ” indicator
light will turn off.

4. Turn ignition to the “OFF ” position and wait 10 seconds.

5. Attempt to start the engine and then release the key to the “ON ” position..
6.Observe the “SECURITY ” indicator light. After 10 minutes the “SECURITY ” indicator
light will turn off.

7. Turn ignition to the “OFF ” position and wait 10 seconds.

8. Attempt to start the engine and then release the key to the “ON ” position.

9. Observe the “SECURITY ” indicator light. After 10 minutes the “SECURITY ” indicator
light will turn off.

10. Turn ignition to the “OFF ” position and wait 10 seconds.

11. Vehicle has now learned the new password. Start the engine.

12. Clear any trouble codes with a scan tool.

NOTE: For most cars one 10-minute cycle will be enough for the vehicle to learn the
new password. Perform all 3 cycles if the car will not start after 1 cycle. Most trucks will
require all 3 cycles for learning the password.

Passkey III – transponder ignition key. The Passkey III anti-theft system uses a
transponder inside the head of the ignition key. The exciter inside the ignition lock
cylinder energizes this transponder when the ignition switch is turned on. The
transponder transmits a unique signature to the theft deterrent control module. If the
key signature transmitted is acceptable to the theft deterrent control module the theft
deterrent control module will transmit fuel enable password to the PCM. If the fuel
enable password is correct the PCM will start the vehicle.

To perform a relearn on a Passkey III system make sure there is a fully charged battery
in the vehicle. The battery will be used for 30 minutes without the alternator available
for charging. Connect a battery charger to the battery to ensure power is available while
programming. When performing this relearn all previously learned keys will be erased.
Additional keys may be relearned immediately after the first key has been learned by
inserting the additional key and turning the ignition switch to on within 10 seconds of
removing the previously learned key.

1. Insert a master key (black head) into the ignition switch.

2. Turn key to the “ON ” position without starting the engine. The security light should
turn on and stay on.
3. Wait for 10 minutes or until the security light turns off.

4. Turn key to the “OFF ” position for 5 seconds.

5. Turn key to the “ON ” position without starting the engine. Security light should turn
on and stay on.

6. Wait for 10 minutes or until the security light turns off.

7. Turn key to the “OFF ” position for 5 seconds.

8. Turn key to the “ON ” position without starting the engine The security light should
turn on and stay on.

9. Wait for 10 minutes or until the security light turns off.

10. Turn key to the “OFF ” position. The key transponder information will be learned on
the next start cycle.

11. Start the vehicle. If the vehicle starts and runs normally, the relearn is complete.

12. If additional keys need to be relearned, turn the key to the “OFF ” position.

13. Insert the next key to be learned. Turn the key to the “ON ” position within 10
seconds of removing the previously used key.

14. Wait for security light to turn off. It should happen fairly quickly. You may not notice
the lamp as the transponder value will be learned immediately.

15. Repeat steps 12 through 14 for any additional keys.

NOTE: If the theft deterrent relearn procedure does not work, please try the procedure
again.