The car industry has seen a lot of revolution in recent times. Car manufacturers keep adding new safety features and technology to reduce accidents and theft technology to prevent theft.
Modern cars have developed theft technology to work in partnership with the car computer to warn the driver when there’s someone trying to break into your car.
These features and technologies do not last forever. They may malfunction or go bad over time and will project warning and alert signs on the dashboard.
For a good number of drivers with theft technology in their cars, the service theft deterrent system is an integral feature that may occasionally develop issues.
This is an integral part that protects your vehicle from being stolen. But it can go wrong and give false alarms.
In this article, we’ll explain what causes the service theft deterrent system light on the dashboard and how to reset it. But first, what does the service theft deterrent system mean?
What is a service theft deterrent system?
As the name implies, this theft deterrent system is a technology that prevents thieves from breaking into your baby ride or notifies you when there’s a break-in attempt. This system works together with internal and external car sensors to determine if there’s an attempt to break into your ride.
If this technology detects an attempt at a break-in or it detects movement of the vehicle, it’ll immobilize your car engine and sound off a beeping alarm to prevent the thieve from driving your baby out of your sight.
Most of the time, the alarm continues ringing until you stop it with the original key fob. The theft deterrent system is a creative way of preventing car thefts. However, this system can malfunction and give you mayhem.
The service theft deterrent system error warning lights up the dashboard when the system malfunctions. More about why you’re getting a service theft deterrent system on Chevy Cruze and other car models in the next part.
Why is my car saying service theft deterrent system?
Theft deterrent or anti-theft system malfunction will appear as the car computer projection, “theft deterrent system” on the driver’s infotainment center.
The projection is simply to alert the driver of a security problem in your vehicle so he can take the necessary action to fix. You’ll be happy with the projection!
You want your baby’s security nothing less but whole. So the service theft deterrent system message on the dashboard will notify you to trace and fix the fault in no time.
Driving your baby ride trouble-free will be ideal in a perfect world, but sadly we reside in a not. Most system malfunctions are unavoidable.
The service theft deterrent system warning light will put your ride to protective mode and shut down some system functionality. The warning light may go off by itself. At other times, you can have a service theft deterrent system, and the car will not start.
The most common reason why the anti-theft message appears on the driver’s infotainment center is, dead battery. The discharge of car battery may have triggered the car to project the warning message on the dashboard.
So inspect the battery immediately the warning message appears on the dashboard. A lousy key fob is another likely cause. This usually arises after faulty/old ones are changed and new ones used as replacement. So, don’t dispose of your key fob if it’s old, and working well.
It can save you when you see something like service theft deterrent system on Chevy Impala or any car model and the car will not start.
Other reasons your car is saying service theft deterrent system on Chevy Malibu, Impala, Cruze, Silverado, or any car models include:
- Dead key fob battery
- A damaged car door lock
- Defective immobilizer chip in your key fob
- Dead car battery (not likely the cause, though possible).
How do I fix my service theft deterrent system?
If your anti-theft light comes on the dashboard, you should seek what is at the cause and rectify things. The following paragraphs will explain how to turn off the service theft deterrent system in three methods. Pay close attention to the following guides.
Method 1: Check “your” key fob and the lock of the cylinder.
Step 1: Check the key fob.
There is a possibility you have a dead-key fob battery. No doubt your car will not detect that key fob with a dead battery.
By this, the car may think some intruder is trying to unlock the car with the different key. It can also happen if the key fob battery isn’t put rightly.
Step 2: Check the lock of the door cylinder.
If someone attempted to break in or your vehicle is knocked by a wayward driver for whatever reason, it may trigger the system to leave a security warning message on the dashboard.
If this is the case, check the lock of the door cylinder and under the door’s handle. Some car thefts break doors open with some screwdrivers trick.
Step 3: Make sure you’re using the right key.
This may look a stupid thing, but you cannot overlook that. Some keys only unlock the doors but can’t fire up your baby ride because they do not have the chip that assists it communicate “to start” with your car. Make sure you’re trying to start with the correct key.
Method 2: Switch on the ignition
If the service theft deterrent system is showing on the dashboard of my car, the anti-theft system has been triggered. And this will stop the car engine from starting.
But don’t panic if you found yourself in this situation. The next few steps explain how to reset a service theft deterrent system error message on the driver’s infotainment center.
Step 1: See if the anti-theft light is on the dashboard.
Most modern car models will display a warning light on the dashboard once it triggers the anti-theft security system. This warning light looks like a combination of a car and a lock.
Step 2: Put the ignition on the “ON” position.
Put your key in the ignition and turn it to the ON or ACC position. Do not crank the engine. This allows the car to re-read the car key again. You need to invest your time here. You need to leave the ignition on for 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3: Turn off the ignition.
If the warning light no longer blinking or starts blinking if it wasn’t blinking before, turn off the ignition. Pull out the car key and allow the car to sit for a few minutes. This will have reset the service theft deterrent system.
Step 4: Put the key in the ignition and start the car.
Put the car key in and get your car running. If your car engine doesn’t start, check to ensure the car battery is fully charged. A dead car battery can also be a culprit. And if your car is still not running by now, go ahead and repeat steps 2 and 3 above.
Method 3: Open the car door with a physical key
Step 1: Insert the Physical Key into the Driver’s Door.
Almost all models (including the push-start models) have physical keys. Look for a button on the key fob, press it, and pull out the physical key.
Step 2: Unlock the Door With the Key.
Just insert the key into the driver’s door handle and hold it for at least 45 seconds. Like this, the car security system will know you’ve got the right key and it should bypass the alarm system.
But some cars “will” really just recognize the car by you turning it back and forth. So, try both methods and see what works for your car.
Step 3: Turn on the Vehicle.
Now, remove the car key from the lock cylinder (do not turn it but leave it unlocked) and try starting your car; the engine should turn on now. But, if none of these solved the problem, contact an experienced service technician to track the root cause and fix the problem.
How do I turn off anti-theft without a key fob?
If your car has an anti-theft system, the easiest way to turn it off is to press the lock or unlock buttons on the key fob. But if you don’t have the fob, or the battery is dead, and you are in this category, follow the steps below.
- Check your owner’s manual: Manufacturers use different technologies in building their vehicles. So, don’t always expect what works for vehicle A to work for vehicle B. The owner’s booklet should tell you what to do.
- Lock the windows: Get inside your car and lock the windows using the power lock button on the driver’s side window.
- Turn on your ignition: Use the physical car key, insert it into the ignition hole and turn it to the ON position. Leave it on this position for some minutes before turning it off.
- Pull out the alarm fuse: Open your hood and locate the alarm fuse. Pull it out. Doing so should therefore disconnect the electric flow to the alarm, and also the car’s anti-theft alarm.
- Disconnect your car battery: Your car battery powers the alarm system, so disconnecting the battery should likewise shut it off. But this should be the last thing you should try, and please ensure you know how to properly disconnect a car battery, as well as which battery terminal to disconnect first.
FAQs.
Q: How do you reset a Chevy theft deterrent?
You can easily reset the service theft deterrent system in Chevy cars using a simple guide below. First, put the car key into the ignition hole before turning it to the ON position. Do not attempt to start the car. Leave the key in the ignition hole till the flashing warning light goes off.
This could take about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the light goes out, turn the key off and start the vehicle. The Chevy theft deterrent system has been fully reset, and your vehicle should start.
Q. What sets off the theft deterrent system?
The anti-theft, or security systems operate with comparison to external and interior car sensors. Breaking in, movement, and impact can cause it to pop-up on the dashboard. It only sets off the alarms to notify the car owner or driver.
Other parameters can cause the system to malfunction thus activating the theft deterrent system. These parameters include a dead key fob battery, dead car battery, damage to the car lock, and a defective immobilizer.
Q. Can anti-theft stop you from starting your vehicle?
Yes, once an anti-theft warning shows on your dashboard, you cannot start your vehicle if you do not fix the cause. For example, if the message popped up due to malfunctioning, you’ll have to reset the theft detention system before you can start the vehicle.
Q: Is there a fuse for an anti-theft system?
Your vehicle has an alarm fuse that activates all the sounds. You need a healthy one before your car can start.
Without it, the engine won’t come up. Where do you find yours? In one of your fuse boxes. Consult your owner’s manual to trace the exact location or check the labels visible when you lift the lid of the fuse boxes where they are located.
Q: How do I reset my car alarm after replacing battery?
Is the security light flashing after you’ve installed a new battery? This usually means your alarm system is still on. You may try to reset it to eliminate the service theft deterrent system warning message.
Make sure to install a fully charged battery with enough juice. After mounting the battery to the terminals, snap the hood closed.
Lock and unlock your car doors with your fob. Do the same for other doors. Next, insert the car keys into the ignition hole and leave it there for something like 10 or 15 minutes.
Next observe the warning light on dashboard. Does it go off or stays put? If it brightens, you have reset the system in full, and the vehicle should start now.
The alarm system usually needs a reset when you change the car battery. It’s all automatic in most cases. In some, you would need to press and hold a button on the alarm box. Some vehicles require an extra step or two from you.
Final words
While a service theft deterrent system on Astra and other cars is intended to activate when there’s an attempted break-in, it’s common for the system to malfunction and activate without any actual break-in attempt.
Once the system activates on most cars, the engine won’t start, leaving you feeling frustrated.
I have been in such a situation, and I know how it feels. So we don’t want you to get frustrated, and that’s why we have outlined what a service theft deterrent system is, the probable causes, and how to reset it and get your car moving.
It is a simplified guide that even amateur DIYers can follow and achieve great results. So follow the guide religiously and get your car moving.