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Programming Theft Deterrent System Components Domestic, Canada, and Japan

Important: When replacing an engine control module (ECM) with a GM SPO replacement part, the new ECM will learn the incoming password of the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) immediately upon the next ignition switch from OFF to CRANK. If the ECM is being replaced with an SPO replacement part, the theft deterrent password learn procedure is not required.

An ECM which has been installed in another vehicle will have learned the theft deterrent password of that particular vehicles RCDLR. Perform either the 10-minute relearn procedure or the 30-minute relearn procedure to learn the password of the current vehicles RCDLR.

A new RCDLR installed in a vehicle will require having the ECM (if equipped) learn the new RCDLR's password. Perform either the 10-minute relearn procedure or the 30-minute relearn procedure to learn the password of the new RCDLR.

10-Minute Relearn Procedure

Use this procedure after replacing any of the following components:

    • Remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR)
    • The engine control module (ECM) -- if previously installed in another vehicle
  1. Connect a scan tool to the vehicle.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Insure that all power consuming devices are turned OFF on the vehicle.
  4. With a scan tool, select Request Info. under Service Programming System and follow the scan tool on-screen instructions.
  5. Disconnect the scan tool from the vehicle and connect the scan tool to a Techline Terminal with the current Service Programming System (SPS) software.
  6. On the Techline Terminal, select Service Programming System and follow the Techline Terminal on-screen instructions. Ensure the correct programming procedure is selected based on component being replaced or programmed.

    7. For ECM password learn, select Theft Deterrent Learn for ECM on the SPS terminal.

  7. Disconnect the scan tool from the Techline Terminal and re-connect the scan tool to the vehicle.
  8. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  9. With a scan tool, select Program ECU under Service Programming System.
  10. At this point the scan tool must remain connected for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

    11. Important: 

       • The scan tool will initially display 12 Minutes. The first 2 minutes allow the scan tool to initialize the appropriate control module. The remaining 10 minutes is the relearn timer.
       • On some vehicles the SECURITY indicator may be illuminated for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

  11. Observe the scan tool. After approximately 10 minutes the scan tool will display Programming Successful, Turn OFF Ignition. The vehicle is now ready to learn the passwords on the next transition from OFF to CRANK.
  12. Turn OFF the ignition and wait 5 seconds.
  13. Start the vehicle. The module being programmed has now learned the RCDLR password.
  14. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs.

30-Minute Relearn Procedure

Use this procedure after replacing any of the following components:

    • Remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR)
    • The engine control module (ECM) if previously installed in another vehicle

    Important: This procedure is not available on vehicles equipped with EXPORT configured modules.

  1. Press and hold the OFF/Acc button for approximately 4 seconds to turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.
  2. Observe the Security indicator. After approximately 10 minutes the indicator will turn off.
  3. Turn OFF the ignition, and wait 5 seconds.
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 two more times for a total of 3 cycles or 30 minutes.

    5. Important: The vehicle learns the password on the transition from OFF to CRANK. You must turn the ignition OFF before attempting to start the vehicle.

  5. Start the vehicle. The module being programmed has now learned the RCDLR password.
  6. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs.

Programming Theft Deterrent System Components Export

Important: A new RCDLR installed in a vehicle will require having both the SCLM and ECM learn the new RCDLR password. Perform the 10-minute relearn procedure for each module to learn the password of the new RCDLR. The SCLM password learn must be performed first to ensure proper completion of the learn process.

When replacing an engine control module (ECM) or steering column lock module (SCLM) with a GM SPO replacement part, the new ECM or SCLM will learn the incoming password of the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) immediately upon the next ignition switch from OFF to CRANK. If the ECM or SCLM is being replaced with an SPO replacement part, the theft deterrent password learn procedure is not required.

An ECM or SCLM which has been installed in another vehicle will have learned the theft deterrent password of that particular vehicles RCDLR. Perform the 10-minute relearn procedure to learn the password of the current vehicles RCDLR.

Theft Deterrent 10-Minute Relearn Procedure for the Steering Column Lock Module

Use this procedure after replacing any of the following components:

    • The remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR)
    • The SCLM, if previously installed in another vehicle

Important: The SCLM relearn procedure must be done using the pass-thru procedure. Failure to use pass-thru will result in a failure to learn the theft password.

  1. Connect a scan tool to the vehicle using the pass-thru method. This requires connecting the scan tool to the vehicle, then connecting the Techline Terminals RS-232 cable to the scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Ensure that all power consuming devices are turned OFF on the vehicle.
  4. On the Techline Terminal, select Service Programming System. Once you have entered the SPS menu, select Pass-Thru under the Select Diagnostic Tool list. Select Next.
  5. Input the vehicle information on the Techline Terminal. Select Next.
  6. Select VTD Vehicle Theft Deterrent Learn (Export Only). For SCLM password learn, choose Vehicle Theft Deterrent Learn for Column Lock Module (Export Only) on the SPS terminal. Select Next.
  7. At this point the scan tool must remain connected for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

    8. Important: 

       • The scan tool will initially display 12 Minutes. The first 2 minutes allow the scan tool to initialize the appropriate control module. The remaining 10 minutes is the relearn timer.
       • On some vehicles the SECURITY indicator may be illuminated on steady for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

  8. Observe the Techline Terminal. After approximately 10 minutes, the terminal will display Programming Completed. The vehicle is now ready to learn the passwords on the next transition from OFF to CRANK.
  9. Turn OFF the ignition and wait 5 seconds.
  10. Press the start switch and listen for the SCLM to initialize. The vehicle will not start at this time because the ECM has not been programmed. The SCLM has now learned the RCDLR password. Proceed to the ECM password relearn.

Theft Deterrent 10-Minute Relearn Procedure for the Engine Control Module

Use this procedure after replacing any of the following components:

    • The remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR)
    • The ECM, if previously installed in another vehicle
  1. Connect a scan tool to the vehicle.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Ensure that all power consuming devices are turned OFF on the vehicle.
  4. With a scan tool, select Request Info. under Service Programming System and follow the scan tool on-screen instructions.
  5. Disconnect the scan tool from the vehicle and connect the scan tool to a Techline Terminal with the current service programming system (SPS) software.
  6. On the Techline Terminal, select Service Programming System and follow the Techline Terminal on-screen instructions. Select Theft Deterrent Learn for ECM (Export Only) on the SPS terminal
  7. Disconnect the scan tool from the Techline Terminal and re-connect the scan tool to the vehicle.
  8. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  9. With a scan tool, select Program ECU under Service Programming System.
  10. At this point the scan tool must remain connected for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

    11. Important: 

       • The scan tool will initially display 12 Minutes. The first 2 minutes allow the scan tool to initialize the appropriate control module. The remaining 10 minutes is the relearn timer.
       • On some vehicles the SECURITY indicator may be illuminated on steady for the duration of the 10-minute relearn procedure.

  11. Observe the scan tool. After approximately 10 minutes, the scan tool will display Programming Successful, Turn OFF Ignition. The vehicle is now ready to learn the passwords on the next transition from OFF to CRANK.
  12. Turn OFF the ignition and wait 5 seconds.
  13. Start the vehicle. The module being programmed has now learned the RCDLR password.
  14. With a scan tool, clear any DTCs.