Service Theft Deterrent System?

Waterfowler41 · November 29, 2016

Having the exact same issues in my truck, started about 6k miles ago around 34k miles on the truck. Service stabilitrack, radio, and HVAC all went bonkers while driving, my car briefly shut down on the expressway then started back up. Brought it into the dealership they said its probably the aftermarket remote start (on the truck when I bought it).

A few weeks ago the Service Theft Deterrent System started going crazy. I would try and start my car and nothing was on even the dome lights were off. Tried the back up key, no dice same issues,

I have LED license plate bulbs, HIDs from RFS, and a light bar tied to my brights via a relay (t tap that triggers the relay). I'm pretty sure none of these are causing my issue.

Has anyone found a resolution or any update from GM for this Theft Deterrent issue? I may replace my battery just to rule that out.

I'm at 40k so just out of warranty. Contacted my dealership this morning on this issue and sent them a bunch of other forum links to the same Theft Deterrent discussion. Waiting to hear back from them. I would hate to get stranded with my kids in the truck when the Sierra decides it was to not start...

edwin814 · November 29, 2016

My 2015 LT Crew cab has about 24K miles. 2 weeks ago I was starting to have those service Stabilitrack and service Theft Deterrent System messages popping up on the onboard computer (on separate occasions). Once in a while the car would shut down while I was driving and start back up right away, then the OBC would reset and tell me to roll down the driver window then roll it back up again to recalibrate the system. I brought it in to the dealership, and they determined it was a bad battery; it was not drawing enough voltage to those systems. They replaced it under warranty and everything is fine again...so far. While this was happening, I did notice the voltmeter gauge in the dash is constantly stay above 14V (around 16V) while the car is running. Now with the new battery, the gauge is show around 12-13V, like before. I'm no battery expert, but maybe that's a sign that it's going bad?

Full disclosure, I have a Baja Designs 30" lightbar and Pace Edward electric tonneau cover. I was glad the service advisor didn't try to blame the issue on those things hooked up to the battery, even though they are not drawing constant power from the battery.

Waterfowler41 · November 29, 2016

I think you're on to something, I noticed my battery voltmeter was doing the same think, up to 16V. Time to change the battery. My truck shipped to the US from Canada so I would assume from hard winters and remote start those both played a role in shortening the life of the battery.

Edited November 29, 2016 by Waterfowler41

Hozer · December 1, 2016

This has started happening to me occasionally over the last few months. Turn the key, everything lights up on the dash but the "service theft deterrent system" message also comes up and then no attempt at starting when I turn the key all the way to the start position. Try a few times, no luck. Pull the key and put it back in, try again, usually starts. So far, nothing that's looked like a battery issue but I'm glad to hear there's at least some possible explanation.

Truck has about 12,500 miles now (yeah, I never drive it!) and was in for the factory oil change in late October. I told the dealer about the issue but they said there's no error code showing so nothing is wrong. I've since filmed the issue twice on my phone so I'll be heading back in with video for them to review.

5150GMC · December 25, 2016

My 2015 LT Crew cab has about 24K miles. 2 weeks ago I was starting to have those service Stabilitrack and service Theft Deterrent System messages popping up on the onboard computer (on separate occasions). Once in a while the car would shut down while I was driving and start back up right away, then the OBC would reset and tell me to roll down the driver window then roll it back up again to recalibrate the system. I brought it in to the dealership, and they determined it was a bad battery; it was not drawing enough voltage to those systems. They replaced it under warranty and everything is fine again...so far. While this was happening, I did notice the voltmeter gauge in the dash is constantly stay above 14V (around 16V) while the car is running. Now with the new battery, the gauge is show around 12-13V, like before. I'm no battery expert, but maybe that's a sign that it's going bad?

Full disclosure, I have a Baja Designs 30" lightbar and Pace Edward electric tonneau cover. I was glad the service advisor didn't try to blame the issue on those things hooked up to the battery, even though they are not drawing constant power from the battery.

Im having the same problem as the above, since the dealer keeps telling me that they cant replicate the issue I have filmed it for both of the issues which this last time around happen 1 after the other today on xmas...............

Edited December 25, 2016 by 5150GMC

jclayton_87 · January 25, 2017

Same issue here. 2014 Silverado LTZ. GM has had to tow the truck into the dealership I bought it from 4 different times for a dead battery as well as messages saying: theft deterrent active, service airbag, service stabilitrac, and 2 keys programmed. They currently have it and I have zero confidence they'll actually resolve the problem this go around either. I only have 5 thousand miles left on the warranty and if it persists, which I'm sure it will, I'll be trading and looking somewhere other than GM. Sad to say because I love the truck and the lineup that GM offers for the most part but I refuse to get stuck with a $40000 truck that may or may not start. It's ridiculous. Had a 2012 Silverado LT and never had a single issue with it. Got this one with all the bells and whistles and can't even rely on it starting. It's a shame. I'll update you all if they actually figure this thing out. Not holding my breath for sure

Towing9s · March 12, 2017

2015 Sierra here

Bought new

700 miles past the 36/36 and now mine just started this theft deterrent thing

Used the key to try to start and that popped up on display

4 cranks later and no problems

Seems nobody knows the fix yet

That's terrific

BO TIE 1 · May 10, 2017

I started getting all kinds of different service messages in the DIC the last one I got was service theft deterrent system and

my radio display went crazy, only half the screen was working. Came to the site to look for an answer and found someones

post saying they fixed their issue by getting a new battery. Figured what the heck I`ll give it a try since the battery was three

years old already anyway.

Well it`s been two weeks since I replaced the battery and I haven`t had any messages or problems with the radio or starting issues.

Esan · May 31, 2017

Mine does it with aftermarket remote stop also. Maybe 50/50 it will come on or not. Just cancel start with brake lock then unlock doors and start up warning gone and all back to normal.

Rp1974 · May 31, 2017

Took my 2016 2500 utility into a local well known stereo shop today to get a Viper remote start/lock system installed and they're getting service theft deterrent system message and truck won't start . Took them the second key same thing, thinking they ran the battery down from having the doors open for 5-6 hours . Hopefully that's it going back in the am to see it may need to go to the dealer or? Any suggestions are welcome it's my work truck need it back asap.... thanks in advance . Btw I'm located in Nv if it matters

Brianx220 · October 31, 2017

Hello. Were you able to figure this out? I have a 2014 Silverado that recently has been having battery issues and since then the system pops up a Service Theft Deterrent system message and has a little car with a lock on it and the check engine lights on too... but even with all this the truck turns on and drives as it should but the lights are still on no matter how many times I unlock or lock with the remote and I did unplug the battery for about 60 seconds but the lights do not go away. The truck is also 4 years old and has 78K miles on it so no warranty so I want to see what I can do to fix it myself or if I really do need to take it in....

jason2269 · November 5, 2017

I have a 2014 1500. running across same issues. i do have remote start. Theft deterrent light comes on, blinkers are sporadic, traction control cuts off. All this is sporadic. Anyone find a fix to this?

No Tyme · November 11, 2017

I bought my 14 Crew Cab in January of 14. I have had a couple of times over the past 2 years of having to charge my battery, once was because I left my Range Devise plugged in for a week. But twice in the last week my theft deterrent light has come on so I stopped by the dealership and they reprogramed the BCM/Immobilizer because they found a code of P0573. I would hate to have to pull my dash apart to check the ground but you gotta do what you gotta do. Time will tell.