Is LoJack Causing DBS?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 2
From: Medford NY
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Is LoJack Causing DBS?
I saw this posted on GM TechLink. It implies that aftermarket security systems like LoJack may be the cause of dead battery syndrome. For those who have experienced DBS, do you also have Lojack installed?
Low or Completely Discharged Battery:
Owners of some 2004-05 Cadillac XLRs and 2005 Chevrolet Corvettes may comment that the battery has a low charge or is completely discharged at times.
If a cause can not be located with normal diagnosis, check with the customer or the sales department to determine if the vehicle is equipped with an aftermarket security system. These systems use a small transmitter or GPS locator that is hidden in the vehicle and is usually unknown to the technician. The transmitter is typically installed in the hot-at-all-times dome lamp circuit and prevents the Body Control Module (BCM) from entering the sleep mode.
- Thanks to Paul Radzwilowicz
Low or Completely Discharged Battery:
Owners of some 2004-05 Cadillac XLRs and 2005 Chevrolet Corvettes may comment that the battery has a low charge or is completely discharged at times.
If a cause can not be located with normal diagnosis, check with the customer or the sales department to determine if the vehicle is equipped with an aftermarket security system. These systems use a small transmitter or GPS locator that is hidden in the vehicle and is usually unknown to the technician. The transmitter is typically installed in the hot-at-all-times dome lamp circuit and prevents the Body Control Module (BCM) from entering the sleep mode.
- Thanks to Paul Radzwilowicz
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,365
Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
No Lo-Jack or any other add-ons and I've had several DBS incidents. Still searching for the answer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
What makes this so tough is that only some cars are being affected by it. My car sat in an unheated, ice cold garage all winter. I started it every 7-10 days...it always turned over instantly and the battery has been fine. That's with temps as low as -30F! Others have had their batteries go dead in warm climates or heated garages for no apparent reason.
I don't have NAV, XM, or OnStar. I wonder if there's a common thread concerning a certain factory accessory that's in the car. Are cars without OnStar going dead? There has to be something in these cars that preventing a complete electronic shutdown. It's obviously intermittent or the dealers would be able to see it. Maybe an interaction with a garage door opener set on a certain frequency?
This whole issue is very weird and very frustrating.
I don't have NAV, XM, or OnStar. I wonder if there's a common thread concerning a certain factory accessory that's in the car. Are cars without OnStar going dead? There has to be something in these cars that preventing a complete electronic shutdown. It's obviously intermittent or the dealers would be able to see it. Maybe an interaction with a garage door opener set on a certain frequency?
This whole issue is very weird and very frustrating.
