Service theft deterrent system - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

betolley · 08-22-2021, 11:16 AM

I bought a 2012 V6 Camero a couple years ago. I have not had any major issue with it until yesterday morning(Saturday). I drove it on Thursday and had no issue. I tried to start it yesterday morning and it wouldn't start and I noticed a message in the middle that said "Service theft deterrent system". I still have the switch blade key. I previously check with the local dealer when I had a tpms issue fixed about any recalls and they said there were no recalls open on the car. The vin number for the car is 2G1FF1E33C9176464 . When I look it up I see no recalls for the key. I tried the reset key procedure and it didn't help.

1
Turn key to the ON/RUN position. The security light will come on.
2
Wait 10 minutes until the security light turns off.
3
Turn the key to the LOCK/OFF position.
4
Repeat Steps TWO MORE TIMES. After the 3rd time, turn the key to the ON/RUN position. They key is learned and all previously known keys will no longer work with the vehicle. During the last cycle of turning the car ON for 10 min the security light should start blinking. This is good, turn off the car and start your engine.

Any suggestions? Also my security light is on and solid the whole time. It never starts blinking.

Rock-It Man · 08-22-2021, 09:28 PM

Get a new battery.

AlanRubin · 08-23-2021, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betolley

1
Turn key to the ON/RUN position. The security light will come on.
2
Wait 10 minutes until the security light turns off.
3
Turn the key to the LOCK/OFF position.
4
Repeat Steps TWO MORE TIMES. After the 3rd time, turn the key to the ON/RUN position. They key is learned and all previously known keys will no longer work with the vehicle. During the last cycle of turning the car ON for 10 min the security light should start blinking. This is good, turn off the car and start your engine.

That only works with 10-11 cars, from what I was told.

So, the key DID work, then it didn't. So either the transponder in the key
is bad, or it's not getting power from the ignition induction ring.

Can also be a bad module.

The BATTERY in the fob DOES NOT power the transponder, just the remote.
People always say to replace the battery, and that's 100% false. If your FOB
buttons work to lock and unlock the car, then it is still programmed to the car,
something else is wrong.

The FOBs that transmit and do rely on the battery, are the push-button start
cars where you can have the key in your pocket. Even then, if the battery
dies, there is a special slot or pocket in the center console you set the key in
to inductively power the transponder. OR, you hold the fob against the start
button, as it has the induction ring in it.

SO, if your FOB, now, locks and unlocks the car, then it is programmed to the
car, the failure is at the ignition.

betolley · 08-23-2021, 04:09 PM

The remote does unlock the door. I already schedule a pop a lock guy to setup 2 keys for it for 165.00 including keys. I only have one key anyway. So I guess I will have it towed to see what is wrong with the ignition after I get the new key.

betolley · 08-26-2021, 02:43 PM

It was the key. The remote worked to open trunk and unlock doors. He said my key was dead completely. He setup two new oem switchblade keys and they work perfect. It was pop a lock total was 185 parts, labor, and tax. Car runs great.

Rock-It Man · 08-26-2021, 03:12 PM

Interesting that you say there’s no recall on the switchblade. Because I was sure there was. Where did you look it up?

gtstorey · 08-26-2021, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

Interesting that you say there’s no recall on the switchblade. Because I was sure there was. Where did you look it up?

Someone may had one of the switchblade keys "fixed" to close out the open recall on the vehicle and kept the other.

Camaro__ss · 08-27-2021, 12:38 AM

Same thing happened to me with a switchblade key. I think the transponder moves or gets damaged in the switchblade keys and the key becomes useless whereas the transponder in a non-switchblade type key is encased in plastic so it can’t move or get damaged. I still use switchblade keys but I have a backup non switchblade key zip tied in a secret location just in case it happens again.

08-22-2021, 11:16 AM	#1
betolley Drives: Chevy Camera Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Tennessee Posts: 8	Service theft deterrent system I bought a 2012 V6 Camero a couple years ago. I have not had any major issue with it until yesterday morning(Saturday). I drove it on Thursday and had no issue. I tried to start it yesterday morning and it wouldn't start and I noticed a message in the middle that said "Service theft deterrent system". I still have the switch blade key. I previously check with the local dealer when I had a tpms issue fixed about any recalls and they said there were no recalls open on the car. The vin number for the car is 2G1FF1E33C9176464 . When I look it up I see no recalls for the key. I tried the reset key procedure and it didn't help. 1 Turn key to the ON/RUN position. The security light will come on. 2 Wait 10 minutes until the security light turns off. 3 Turn the key to the LOCK/OFF position. 4 Repeat Steps TWO MORE TIMES. After the 3rd time, turn the key to the ON/RUN position. They key is learned and all previously known keys will no longer work with the vehicle. During the last cycle of turning the car ON for 10 min the security light should start blinking. This is good, turn off the car and start your engine. Any suggestions? Also my security light is on and solid the whole time. It never starts blinking.

08-22-2021, 09:28 PM	#2
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,033 View My Garage	Get a new battery.

08-23-2021, 04:09 PM	#4
betolley Drives: Chevy Camera Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Tennessee Posts: 8	The remote does unlock the door. I already schedule a pop a lock guy to setup 2 keys for it for 165.00 including keys. I only have one key anyway. So I guess I will have it towed to see what is wrong with the ignition after I get the new key.

08-26-2021, 02:43 PM	#5
betolley Drives: Chevy Camera Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Tennessee Posts: 8	It was the key. The remote worked to open trunk and unlock doors. He said my key was dead completely. He setup two new oem switchblade keys and they work perfect. It was pop a lock total was 185 parts, labor, and tax. Car runs great.

08-26-2021, 03:12 PM	#6
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,033 View My Garage	Interesting that you say there’s no recall on the switchblade. Because I was sure there was. Where did you look it up?

08-27-2021, 12:38 AM	#8
Camaro__ss Drives: 2013 L99 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 185	Same thing happened to me with a switchblade key. I think the transponder moves or gets damaged in the switchblade keys and the key becomes useless whereas the transponder in a non-switchblade type key is encased in plastic so it can’t move or get damaged. I still use switchblade keys but I have a backup non switchblade key zip tied in a secret location just in case it happens again.