Testing 2008 Anti-Theft System

[N5TC]

The Anti-Theft system on my new 2008 CTS does not appear to be working. When I turn on the key, the Anti-Theft symbol appears. However, when I try to test the system as described in the owners manual, the system does not go off. I can lock the car with the remote and unlock it with the inside control or pop the trunk and the alarm does not go off.

I don't think it is broke. I think that I am doing something dumb.

[Eldo1953]

I had the same problem on one of my Cadillacs. Wait about 1 min after arming before testing.

[lordbaby]

i know this isn't dumb, but i dont quite understand how did you test it, i want to try it too

[fritze18]

Do you have the "content theft alarm"? Even without it, you will have that icon appear, but you won't have the alarm go off. I believe it is included in one of the luxury packages.

[N5TC]

According to the book, you lower the driver's window, open the door, activate the system by locking the doors, get out of the vehicle, close the door, wait until the security light to go out, unlock the door with the manual door lock and open the door.

[Rolex]

I found the same thing on my 2003 Escalade when I bought it way back when. It was suggested by other members that in order for the horn to alarm the dealer had to program it to do so. I took it to the dealer who seemed to remember hearing something about this phenomena, but they never fixed it. It seems to me if you were going to include an alarm function on a vehicle, you wouldn't want your customer to have to make a trip to the service dept to get it activated.

As suggested above though, you may only have the content theft alarm which won't sound the horn when the doors are opened manually. The owners manual won't make any distinction between those models with and without an alarm. Both vehicles would be issued the same owners manual. I would ask the dealer to address your concern the next time you get the oil changed.

[charlieMc]

I don't know if this is the same kind of test but one time my wife was able to set off the alarm by opening the passenger door. Here's what we did: We pulled into a gas station I got out of the car to fill it with gas and my wife stayed inside. After several seconds the car auto locked (we have the keyless access). A little later she opened the door to ask me a question and the anti-theft alarm went off.

It took me some time to figure out what was going on and to find my key fob to turn it off. But I guess this was a test that the system was working.