Reprogram New Radio - 2001 Impala

I am switching out my AM/FM factory radio with a AM/FM/Cassette/CD factory radio I bought off a salvaged impala. I heard I will have to reprogram the new radio because it matches the vehicle VIN # with what has been programmed into it (radio). I called the local GM dealership and they said it would cost me about $70 to have them do it. Is there any way for a beginner do-it-your-selfer like me to do this?

I am switching out my AM/FM factory radio with a AM/FM/Cassette/CD factory radio I bought off a salvaged impala. I heard I will have to reprogram the new radio because it matches the vehicle VIN # with what has been programmed into it (radio). I called the local GM dealership and they said it would cost me about $70 to have them do it. Is there any way for a beginner do-it-your-selfer like me to do this?

Old post, but has anyone else done this?

I am looking to upgrade my factory cassette to a factory CD/Cassette and would like to reprogram the radio (if required) myself to save installation costs.

Any thoughts/advice?

My dealer said they'd do it for nothing, as long as it's already installed and hooked up.

General Motors links the radio's to the body control module for a number of reasons. First is theft derrent, if the radio is stolen it's about as much use as a paper weight.

Second because you can program items on the car, ie: door locks, key fob responses, delayed headlights etc. then the radio has to be matched properly.

Third sensor resets ie: tire pressure monitor, engine oil life, service due etc are also controlled by some models radios.

Usually Delco Remy has an electronics firm contracted that attends the dealerships at given times to attend to sound system problems, and it is usually these firms that preform this work, they charge the dealer, and of course the dealer is going to want their share.

No, it's not something you can do. If it were that easy then the theft deterrent system would not be effective.

I Finally got around to putting the CD player into my 01 Impala 9C1, drove over to the dealer, she plugged the scanner in and in less then a minute, pushing some buttons, she's fixed (unlocked)

It was weird, when I first put it in, it worked, but then when I started the car, THEN it locked.

Anyway, all is well. There was another port in the back of the radio for some other plug..i'm assuming that it's for a changer. And I can't seem to get it to do the stuff like clearing the tire pressure monitor and oil light resets and all that....but at least I got a nice CD player now.