Truck Almost Stolen

zedbear · July 17, 2010

Well, the wife and I headed into a department store in a nice part of town today. People and cars all over. Broad daylight. We were in there about a half hour. Came back out, hit the unlock button on the keyfob, opened the door and immediately noticed the center armrest/console was in the up position. We did not leave it like that. I then noticed the plastic part of the ignition switch was pried off. Both door lock cylinders were also gone. NOTHING in the truck was missing.

When we came out, the alarm was not sounding. Does it turn off after a set amount of time? Also, did the security features of the truck keep it from starting (ie; passkey, ign lockout)? We tested the alarm after and it does work…..

I can still start and drive the truck but the ignition cylinder is obviously all focked up now. Also, the door lock cylinders will need to be fixed as well. The "passkey" thing will probably also be an issue so I don't know what complications that may cause. Anybody have an idea of what I'm looking as far as fixing this thing? Insurance deductable is 500 bucks so I'm hoping I can fix it myself cheaper. Thanks for any info!

jrrod2004 · July 17, 2010

Well, the wife and I headed into a department store in a nice part of town today. People and cars all over. Broad daylight. We were in there about a half hour. Came back out, hit the unlock button on the keyfob, opened the door and immediately noticed the center armrest/console was in the up position. We did not leave it like that. I then noticed the plastic part of the ignition switch was pried off. Both door lock cylinders were also gone. NOTHING in the truck was missing.

When we came out, the alarm was not sounding. Does it turn off after a set amount of time? Also, did the security features of the truck keep it from starting (ie; passkey, ign lockout)? We tested the alarm after and it does work…..

I can still start and drive the truck but the ignition cylinder is obviously all focked up now. Also, the door lock cylinders will need to be fixed as well. The "passkey" thing will probably also be an issue so I don't know what complications that may cause. Anybody have an idea of what I'm looking as far as fixing this thing? Insurance deductable is 500 bucks so I'm hoping I can fix it myself cheaper. Thanks for any info!

As an adjuster, I can tell you that the door lock cylinders themselves are not too expensive, it is the recoding that can be a pain the you know what...

The factory alarm is if the door is open through any other method besides the keyhole or fob. what it sounds like happened is this: Bad guy punched the cylinders out and pulled on the rod, making the truck think that it was you with your key. In essence, if you lock your truck with your fob and arm the factory alarm, you can disable it by simply inserting your key and turning it (no fob necessary) and the alarm will not sound. I would file it on the insurance incase of any unseen body damage. The ignition cylinder is gonna be more expensive as well.

tunseeker1 · July 17, 2010

I work on repairing car electronics for insurance companies and I

can tell you that the passkey would have stopped them from starting the truck and have no ill effects on the module.

As for fixing things yourself, look at the door skin and the ignition area for rippling or marking that would need to get fixed.

As said before the rekeying will be expensive and if something goes wrong then its a tow bill to the dealership to get fixed.

C. Charles Hahn · July 17, 2010

I'd agree with these guys. Your best bet to save some money here will be finding a locksmith that can work with the GM lock and ignition cylinders, otherwise you'll have to visit the dealer. Installing the parts isn't too tough, but getting the locks/etc. set up will cost you.

zedbear · July 17, 2010

Lovely. Sounds like a pretty lame alarm setup. Are most vehicles this easy to pop the door locks? Wondering if there is any plastic tabs broken where the door locks used to be.

jrrod2004 · July 17, 2010

Lovely. Sounds like a pretty lame alarm setup. Are most vehicles this easy to pop the door locks? Wondering if there is any plastic tabs broken where the door locks used to be.

Answers:

Question # 1: Yes, all the ones i have seen are this easy

Question/Statement #2: Possible damage to inner door structure...as for tabs, I dont think the lock cylinders have them or mount to them...I think it is metal to metal (albeit thin metal).

Truckin2003 · July 17, 2010

ive been thinking of adding some of this companies products to my truck. every little bit of security helps.

Might be worth checking out...and no, im not affiliated with this company

http://www.trucksecurity.com/Index.htm

kdm101 · July 17, 2010

ive been thinking of adding some of this companies products to my truck. every little bit of security helps.

Might be worth checking out...and no, im not affiliated with this company

http://www.trucksecurity.com/Index.htm

So that's where that product went!

jrrod2004 · July 17, 2010

yep, I have the jimmy jammer and tailgate products...havent yet installed the jimmy jammer but the tailgate lock really does work...

rhariz21 · July 20, 2010

seems like this trucks are really easy to get into:( my buddy got his pioneer navigation stolen twice in his 08 silverado. he finally took it and got an aftermarket alarm

TexasAl · July 20, 2010

Yes, these trucks have always been easy to break into. I personally added a 2 Way Viper alarm that will sound anytime somebody opens the door or a strong vibration is heard. Only thing I haven't been able to secure is the hood. I've been told that car thief's will simply open the hood and cut the siren. Then they can go under the dash and disable the alarm system. If I am home, I'd be able to do something about it, but if I'm not, then I'm SOL. Sorry to hear about your bad experience, and I hope everything works out for you.

Al

DTyrrell · July 20, 2010

My truck alarm went off when I opened it with the key?

sc4808 · July 20, 2010

According to the OM the alarm only sets if you use the Key Fob remote.

To arm the theft-deterrent system:

1. Open the door.

2. Lock the door with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)

transmitter. The security light should come on

and flash.

If the delayed locking feature is active, the alarm

will not be activated until all doors are closed

and the security light goes off.

3. Close all doors. The security light will stop

flashing and go off after approximately 30 seconds.

The content theft deterrent alarm is not armed

until the security light goes off.

If a locked door is opened without using the RKE

transmitter, a ten second pre-alarm will occur. The horn

will chirp and the lights will flash. If the key is not placed

in the ignition and turned to START or the door is not

unlocked by pressing the unlock button on the RKE

transmitter during the ten second pre-alarm, the alarm

will go off. Your vehicle’s headlamps will flash and the

horn will sound for about two minutes, then will turn off

to save the battery power.

The theft-deterrent system will not activate if the doors

are locked with the vehicle’s key or the manual door lock.

It activates only if you use the power door lock switch with

the door open or the RKE transmitter. You should also

remember that you can start your vehicle with the correct

ignition key if the alarm has been set off.

Mossyoakglock · July 21, 2010

Does Viper, or any other company, make an alarm that works with the GM factory alarm that still uses the factory remote? I'm looking on Viper's site and can't seem to find anything. If there is such a thing, does anybody have a part number?

TexasAl · July 21, 2010

Does Viper, or any other company, make an alarm that works with the GM factory alarm that still uses the factory remote? I'm looking on Viper's site and can't seem to find anything. If there is such a thing, does anybody have a part number?

I haven't seen anything like that from Viper. There are "add on alarms" from other alarm companies that basically add the alarm feature to the keyless entry we already have. Do a google search for "add on alarm".

Al