GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

When armed, the content theft deterrent (CTD) system is designed to deter vehicle content theft by pulsing the horns and exterior lamps for approximately 30 seconds when an unauthorized vehicle entry is detected. However, the CTD system does not affect engine starting.

An unauthorized entry can be any of the following with the CTD system armed:

    • Unauthorized entry into the underhood area, if equipped with remote vehicle start
    • Unauthorized entry into the rear compartment
    • When any door is opened without first being unlocked using the vehicle key or using the UNLOCK command from a keyless entry transmitter
    • After a battery reconnect, if the battery was disconnected with the CTD system armed

The components of the CTD system are:

    • Body Control Module (BCM)
    • Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR)
    • Security indicator
    • Door ajar switches
    • Driver door key cylinder switch
    • Rear compartment lid ajar switch
    • Hood ajar switch (if equipped)

Arming the CTD System

Use the following procedure in order to arm the system:

  1. Place the shift lever in P (park).
  2. Turn OFF the ignition.
  3. Open any door.
  4. Important: The system is not armed if the doors are locked manually; the power door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter must be used to arm the content theft deterrent (CTD) system.

  5. Lock the doors with the power door lock switch or the LOCK button on the transmitter. The system is in standby mode and will not start the arming timer until all doors are closed.
  6. The system will begin the arm sequence immediately after the last door is closed. If the keyless entry transmitter is used to arm the system after the vehicle doors are closed, the arm sequence will begin as soon as the LOCK command is received by the transmitter.

Locking the Vehicle Without Arming the CTD System

Locking the vehicle may be accomplished without arming the content theft deterrent (CTD) system. Use of the manual door locks or using the key to lock the doors will lock the vehicle, but will not arm the CTD system.

Disarming an Armed System/Silencing an Alarm

If system arming has been requested by the power door lock switch or the keyless entry transmitter, it must be disarmed.

Important: Using the power door unlock switch or manually unlocking the doors does not disable the content theft deterrent (CTD) arm mode. Also, disconnecting the battery or pulling fuses does not disable the arm mode, since the BCM stores the CTD mode status in memory.

    • To disarm the CTD system in standby mode, perform one of the following:
       - Press either power door unlock switch.
       - Use the vehicle key to unlock the driver door.
       - Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter.
       - Insert a valid key into the ignition and switch to the ON position.
    • To disarm the CTD system in the armed mode (non-event) or when activated (during an alarm event):
       - Use the vehicle key to unlock the driver door.
       - Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter.
       - Insert a valid key into the ignition and switch to the ON position

CTD Circuit Description

The following is a description of each component used in the content theft deterrent (CTD) system:

Body Control Module (BCM)

The CTD system is an internal function of the BCM which utilizes serial data and various switch inputs information to perform CTD functions. When the BCM detects an unauthorized entry, it activates the horns and exterior lamps. The BCM has 4 basic modes (disarmed, standby, armed, and alarm) for operating the CTD system. The different modes are described below.

  1. The BCM has the CTD system in a disarmed mode until the following conditions are detected:
  2. • Ignition key turned to the OFF position.
    • Doors locked by either the power door lock switch or the LOCK button on the transmitter.
  3. The BCM enters the standby mode when the above conditions are detected. If a door was already opened when the arm mode was requested, the standby mode does not start the timer until the last door is closed.
  4. When the last door is closed, a 15 second timer is activated. Once the timer has expired, the BCM enters the armed mode. After this delay, any forced entry activates the alarm mode.
  5. When the BCM detects a forced entry, the BCM enters the alarm mode. The BCM activates the horns and exterior lamps for 30 seconds. This is followed by a three minute time-out with the horn no longer active. If no new intrusions are detected after the time-out, the horn is not active. The system must be disarmed or the intrusion condition removed after the time-out for the system to exit alarm mode.

Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR)

The keyless entry system can arm and disarm the CTD system. When the keyless entry module receives a door lock or unlock signal from the transmitter, the keyless entry module sends a message to the BCM via serial data to perform the appropriate arm/disarm functions.

Security Indicator

The security indicator is illuminated by the instrument panel cluster (IPC) based on information (via serial data) from the BCM for CTD, or theft deterrent module (TDM) for immobilizer. The CTD system uses the security indicator to inform the driver of system status prior to arming. The security indicator on the instrument cluster is controlled by both the CTD system and the immobilizer system.

    • The CTD system, integral to the BCM, commands the IPC to control the security indicator only when the ignition switch is OFF. The CTD system uses the indicator to identify system status.
    • The immobilizer system, integral to the theft deterrent module (TDM) or the RCDLR when the vehicle has keyless entry, commands the IPC to control the security indicator only when the ignition switch is ON as a malfunction indicator. The immobilizer system is to deter vehicle theft. Refer to Immobilizer Description and Operation for more information on the immobilizer system.

Door Ajar Switches

The CTD system uses the door ajar switches as a status indicator to activate the alarm. The door ajar switches are monitored by the BCM via a discrete input from each door ajar switch. If the BCM receives a signal indicating a door is opened when the CTD system is armed, the BCM activates the alarm.

Driver Door Key Cylinder Switch

The CTD system uses the driver door cylinder switch as a means to disarm the CTD system. The BCM receives the status of the driver door cylinder switch based on a discrete input from the switch. When the driver door key cylinder is rotated the CTD system will immediately disarm.

Hood Ajar Switch

The CTD system uses the hood ajar switch as a status indicator to activate the alarm. The BCM monitors the hood ajar switch via a discrete input from the switch. If the BCM receives a signal indicating the hood has been opened when the CTD system is armed, the BCM activates the alarm.

Rear Compartment Lid Ajar Switch

The CTD system uses the rear compartment ajar switch as a status indicator to activate the alarm. The BCM monitors the rear compartment ajar switch via a discrete input from the switch. If the BCM receives a signal indicating the rear compartment has been opened when CTD system is armed, the BCM activates the alarm.

Inputs

The BCM monitors the following inputs for CTD:

    • The door ajar switches
    • Driver door cylinder switch
    • The keyless entry transmitter LOCK/UNLOCK buttons; a serial data message from the RCDLR
    • The immobilizer status--The BCM uses the immobilizer status for disarming the system or silencing an alarm when the correct vehicle key is used to start the vehicle
    • The rear compartment ajar switch
    • The hood ajar switch

Outputs

The BCM controls the following for CTD:

    • The horn relay
    • The exterior lamps