My 2006 Cadillac STS won"t start, the display panel is saying, "Theft alarm system, starter disabled". what could of triggered this?

When the anti-theft system in your car is activated, it is designed to prevent unauthorized access to the vehicle and protect it from theft. The specific features and functions affected by the activation of the anti-theft system can vary depending on the make and model of your car. However, here are some common ways in which the anti-theft system can impact your vehicle:

1. Ignition Interlock: In many vehicles, the anti-theft system can prevent the engine from starting or cut off power to the ignition system. This is often the primary function of the anti-theft system to deter thieves from driving the vehicle.
2. Key Removal: Some anti-theft systems can also lock the key in the ignition switch, making it difficult or impossible to remove the key when the system is activated.
3. Door Locks: The anti-theft system may lock or unlock the doors automatically when it is activated. This can be intended to prevent unauthorized entry.
4. Windows and Sunroof: In some cases, the anti-theft system can disable the power windows and sunroof to prevent someone from gaining access to the interior through these openings.
5. Alarm Activation: If your vehicle is equipped with a security alarm system as part of the anti-theft system, it may activate the alarm if unauthorized entry is detected or if someone tries to tamper with the vehicle.
6. Vehicle Immobilization: Some advanced anti-theft systems can immobilize the vehicle by cutting off fuel or electrical power to the engine.

If you're experiencing issues with your key not coming out, windows not rolling down, and the sunroof not opening, it's possible that these problems are related to the activation or malfunction of the anti-theft system. However, it's essential to consult your vehicle's owner's manual or contact the manufacturer or a qualified automotive technician for specific information about how your vehicle's anti-theft system operates and to diagnose and resolve the issues you're facing.

In many cases, anti-theft system problems may require specialized equipment and knowledge to diagnose and repair, so seeking professional assistance is often the best course of action.

Try to reprogram the theft system this should take 30 minutes, Do this with the ignition on hit the start button but don't let the engine start the light will stay on for about 10 minutes then turn off when it turns off turn the switch off then repeat this sequence 2 more times ignition on touch starter wait 10 mins. when the light goes off ect. I hope this helps. Take care.

That is correct, some GM's you can leave the key in the ignition in the on position for 30 mins and the system will "relearn" the chip and allow you to start

Is the security light flashing while trying to start the vehicle ?
The theft warning system provides the vehicle with protection from unauthorized entry into the passenger compartment and engine compartment (hood opening). It also protects against engine starting through ignition keylock cylinder tampering. If triggered, the system provides both audio and visual alarm signals and disables the starter circuit.
Sorry but you will have to take it to the dealer if it's the anti-theft system

Does the key have a chip on it?

Use your power lock switch when sitting indide car. on door lock and unlock door at least 5 times. Shut door then start car.

Go around the car to the passenger side, and insert the rounded door key in the door, then lock and then unlock the door with the key. This should disable the anti-theft system. This also will shut off the horn blowing when the alarm is tripped. This works on all older Cadlillacs. Hope this helps.

u will need to bypass the VATS factory security systemm the part u need to fix it is no longer avail from GM, it is easy, here are the full instructions, go to the link.
http://vats.likeabigdog.com/

do you have the keypad for the alarm? The car thinks the alarm is tripped and it's disabling the starter. If you don't have the alarm pad, either get a new one or you can try to disable to starter kill relay. Is it a factory alarm or after market?

Section 13-11: Anti-Theft System, Active 1998 Windstar Workshop Manual DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Anti-Theft Alarm System NOTE: The system immediately monitors the ignition key lock cylinder upon removal of the key from the ignition. It is not necessary to arm the system for ignition key lock monitoring.

The anti-theft alarm system:

• protects the vehicle from unauthorized entry into the passenger compartment, engine compartment and cargo area.
• monitors the status of the ignition key lock cylinder.
• is controlled by a remote anti-theft personality (RAP) module. The remote anti-theft personality module also controls the electronic door lock functions. Refer to Section 01-14B for more details.
• when armed, detects unauthorized entry into the passenger compartment by using an input from the GEM module regarding the state of the door or liftgate (open or closed).
• protects the engine compartment with a hood switch which is located on the LH cowl vent panel and is part of windshield wiper motor wiring (17A477) .
• triggers an alarm if the ignition lock cylinder is forcibly removed from the steering column.

Once triggered, the system responds by:

• flashing the low beam headlamps, the parklamps, rear lamps and the alarm indicator warning light emitting diode (LED).
• sounding the horn (13832).
• disabling the starter circuit until the system is disarmed.

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Remote Anti-Theft Personality Module

• The remote anti-theft personality module is located behind the instrument panel (04320).
• It contains a radio receiver that receives the RF signal from the keyless entry remote transmitter (15K601) through the alarm and lock system antenna (15603) and sends the appropriate command to the power door locks, the horn relay, or the generic electronic module.
• The remote anti-theft personality module is equipped with an internal backup power supply which holds the programmed code in memory in the event the vehicle battery is disconnected.

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Remote Anti-Theft Personality Module Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable (14301). Refer to Section 14-01 .
   

1. Remove radio. Refer to Section 15-01 .
   

1. Remove lower instrument panel center finish panel. Refer to Section 01-12 .
   

1. Lower glove box.
   

1. Remove two remote anti-theft personality module bracket retaining screws.
   

1. Disconnect electrical connectors and alarm and lock system antenna (15603).
   

1. Remove remote anti-theft personality module and bracket.
   

1. Remove remote anti-theft personality module from mounting bracket.
   

Installation

1. To install, follow removal procedure in reverse order.
   

1. Tighten remote anti-theft personality module bracket retaining screws to 6-8 Nm (54-70 lb-in).
   
   

Components The system is composed of the following components:

• remote anti-theft personality (RAP) module with integral antenna
• alarm indicator LED
• door lock cylinder switch RH, door lock cylinder switch LH
• liftgate door lock cylinder switch (220A40)
• hood switch (part of windshield wiper motor wiring (17A477))
• ignition lock anti-theft switch (19A438)

The following vehicle components are also used by the anti-theft alarm system:

• generic electronic module
• power door lock switch (14028)
• door open warning lamp switch (14018)
• autolamp relay (14N089)
• horn relay and bracket (13853) and horn (13832)
• low beam headlamps
• rear lamps (13404) and parking lamps (13200)
• starter relay
• door lock relays
• keyless entry remote transmitter (15K601)

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Disarming an Untriggered System NOTE: A perimeter alarm will "shut off" after 165 seconds, but the system is still triggered and is not disarmed.

An armed but untriggered perimeter anti-theft system can be disarmed by one of the following four events:

1. Unlock the doors by pressing the keyless entry remote transmitter (15K601) UNLOCK button once.
2. Unlock any door with a key.
3. Turn ignition switch to RUN or ACC.
4. The remote entry PANIC button will disarm the anti-theft system only when the perimeter alarm is triggered and sounding.

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System Triggering NOTE: Although the remote entry PANIC alarm is not associated with the monitoring of the vehicle, the user will frequently say that the theft system was triggered when actually the keyless entry remote transmitter PANIC button was inadvertently pressed. A panic alarm will not flash the THEFT indicator.

The alarm can be triggered by the following events if the system has been armed and has not been disarmed first:

• Open any door or liftgate.
• Open the hood (16612) (if the hood was open when the system was armed, it must be closed before it can trigger the alarm).
• Dislodge the ignition key lock cylinder.
• The anti-theft system may be triggered inadvertently when the module is disconnected and then reconnected. To avoid inadvertent alarm triggering, disconnect the smaller 22-way connector first.

When the system is triggered the perimeter alarm will operate as follows: The remote anti-theft personality module will pulse the following outputs at approximately 1.3 Hz, 50 percent duty cycle for two minutes 45 seconds for North America. NOTE: Other perimeter alarms can be programmed for the system.

• low beam headlamps
• parking lamps
• horn
• THEFT indicator

The perimeter alarm can be retriggered, after a perimeter alarm has sounded for 165 seconds. After a perimeter alarm has timed out, if any trigger input is first seen as normal and is then seen in its trigger state, the perimeter alarm will be retriggered. The perimeter alarm can be triggered a total of three times between an arming sequence and a disarm event. An active panic alarm will be deactivated when a perimeter alarm is triggered (a perimeter alarm overrides a panic alarm).