"Death Mode" On A 2001 Duramax
 

Our Duramax ran out of batteries... Now, after we charged it up, it has supposedly entered some sort of "death mode" where it can't be started until a dealer resets computers or clears codes or something?

What the heck is this and how do I get around it to start the vehicle? Or is something else the matter with it?

I haven't poked around it too much, but that's because my mom says this has happened before and she heard of the "death mode" from the dealer...

Any help would be urgently appreciated.

Does the truck have a programmer on it? If it does put the truck back in the factory setting.

I have not heard of the "death mode" before, does not mean it does not exist. I would think that someone told your mother incorrect.

My batteries went completely dead a few years back. Once I replaced them it was back to normal.

Nah, the truck is stock. I'd assume.

I charged it overnight on the remote battery-terminal location (if I was even supposed to do that; the manual didn't say).

So this morning the automatic door locks work and I have a blinky "SECURITY" light in the "message center". And when I go to start the truck it just sounds the security alarm.

I've always assumed that the security alarm was stock, anyways. I guess it could be aftermarket.

But I can't start the truck, and whenever I try it sounds an alarm for 5 minutes! What kind of absurd security feature is this and how can I get around it when my batteries die in the middle of the woods and I need to get it jump starte?

well the factory alarm system uses the horn. if it's not sounding thru your horn then it's not a factory system. the passlock system effects starting. i don't know on the the d'max for sure but i'm guessing that it kills power to the starter relay since there is no fuel pump. this would give you a no crank scenario at the key. USUALLY, when a vehicle goes into passlock it doesn't sound the horn, USUALLY. i would guess that the security system is no longer recognizing your key and/or keyless entry signal. if you have another key fob and a key try using it. i would also check all fuses under the hood. you may have blown one for some unknown reason. regardless of what people say a fuse can blow sometimes "just because". they're man made just like everyhting else on the truck. i would also try disconnecting your batteries for 10 minutes.

hope this helps.

I would love to know if you fixed the no start ploblem I just changed the motor out and the truck will not start I am looking for all answers. The motors are both 2003s one out of wisconson and mine out of california I am still using my computers and sensors. But the dam thing wont start. So any help or ideas will be helpful. DAVE

I know if you mess with the BCM (body Control mod. ) You'll have to use tech 2 to sort the mess back out.... dont ask me how i know!

Yeah, it was an aftermarket alarm screwing up.

A very well hidden and probably expensive aftermarket alarm, I might add.

I don't know how it was integrated with the stock system.

There is a module that has to be connected between the aftermarket alarm and the GM Passlock system so it can communicate. I've had this happen with my truck when there was a current draw issue and we had to charge the batteries up and then repeatedly arm and disarm the aftermarket system until it finally reset. After this happened I bought the battery backup system for the Viper alarm to keep it from happening again.

BTW- The only "death mode" on a DMax is when you are loading a tune from a programmer and there is a current draw. This will lock up the tune install and render your ECM a paper weight.

Just an FYI- For those of you that own a DMax and change tunes using a programmer or EFI Live...DO NOT CAUSE ANY CURRENT DRAW WHATSOEVER WHILE THE TUNE IS LOADING. ie. open or close a door, dome light turns on or off, stereo turns on or off, etc.. This can cause your tune install to fail and lock the ECM down. If this happens you have about a 10% chance that you can restore the ECM.

thank you for the info on that little jem.