Component Tests and General Diagnostics

VEHICLE THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM
The Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) is divided into two basic subsystems: Vehicle Theft Alarm (VTA) and Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS). Following are the recommended procedures for diagnosis and testing of each of these two subsystems.

WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, IMPACT SENSOR, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

VEHICLE THEFT ALARM
Models equipped with the export premium version of the Vehicle Theft Alarm (VTA) provide some preliminary diagnostic feedback by illuminating the security indicator located in the Electromechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC). If the security indicator illuminates with the ignition switch in the ON position, it indicates that there is a communication problem between the intrusion module and the EMIC, or between the intrusion module and the siren module. The EMIC will also turn on the security indicator if it receives a message from the intrusion module indicating that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been stored for a siren module fault.

The hard wired VTA circuits and components may be diagnosed and tested using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

However, conventional diagnostic methods may not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the EMIC, the Front Control Module (FCM), the intrusion module, the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus or the electronic message inputs and outputs used to provide the electronic features of the VTA. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the EMIC, the FCM, the intrusion module, the CAN data bus, and the electronic message inputs for the VTA requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool.