Procedure to unlock the radio

can't promise but try this... 1719

I am having trouble unlocking my radio on my 00 tahoe. The 1-800-537-5140 139010 does not work. Someone please help. My six digit code is 672676.

I am having the same problem. Is there a new dealer code that will work, or does anyone know the unlock code for 832-846? :)

try this... 1013

try this... 1013

That works! Thanks.
Is there a working dealer code for the 800#? I've got another one that will need unlocking soon (probably). I've bought 4 wrecked Cavaliers and fixing them.

That works! Thanks.
Is there a working dealer code for the 800#? I've got another one that will need unlocking soon (probably). I've bought 4 wrecked Cavaliers and fixing them.

Glad it worked for you :)

I called the 1-800-537-5140 and when the recording began,
I pressed 106010 then *

I googled "unlock codes" or "unlock the radio"
and found a bunch of sites that said the same
thing and found a few more additional codes!!

Good luck everyone!

And E-Speed - good luck with the Cavs :bigthumb:

Hi guys.

I have a 99 Buick Century. The radio is currently locked. I have the Unlock code but it is a 4 # code and my display on my radio is 3 # log..

How do I enter this into my Radio so I can use the Radio, Can anyone Help me please..


If you need more info I will give my cell or email to contact me..

I don't know... you may want to try the sequence again?
Anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks, just tried the 800# out for my 99 Pontiac Grand Am and it worked like a charm.

Also, Tresley, did you try entering the 4 digit number anyway? I believe the hours button cycles through numbers 0-19 and the 4th digit doesn't show up until you hit the hour button 10 times. Hope that helps.

We have a 2003 Chevy Venture cd player is jammed and radio buttons don't work either apparently. Got a replacement cd changer/radio off ebay, says manufactured 2001.

Do we have to take this in or is there a way to do it ourselves? :confused:

It does say RDS on the front of the radio, it does not say TheftLock on the front of the radio.

:crying:I've an 1998 Chevy Venture, tried the 800-537-5140 and entered 139010 #,but only get the 'Invalid Code', after 2nd try, it says too many attempts. Is there another 800 # or an different code to enter? My 6 digit code is 542549.

I currently own a 04 silverado, the cd player went up and i purchase a replacement radio cd player tape deck with RDS out of a 02 impala, how do i unlock the radio?? Please help!!

I currently own a 04 silverado, the cd player went up and i purchase a replacement radio cd player tape deck with RDS out of a 02 impala, how do i unlock the radio?? Please help!!

return the radio ....never ever buy any GM radio etc if this is not unlocked ...this is a scam .....report this seller ...

Nineball481, when I call the 800 and press 1# I get "invalid account", not code. Then when I enter the 139010# I get the "invalid account" message again. Too many attempts and it hangs up. Thoughts?

Wait, found it. I tried 106010# and that worked. I got my four digit unlock code. Your post was great. I was quoted $60 from 3 different dealerships to do exactly what you posted. I guess the dealerships have to make a buck no matter how ridiculous the idea. Thank you!!!!

I have a really dumb question, but why are those of you who are replacing factory radios, replacing them with factory radios and not better performing aftermarket radios that don't have these issues?

If you call Crutchfield, or head to their website, you'll find almost instantly what fits your particular car and what factory harnesses and adapters might be necessary. And usually, those add-on accessories are free with a radio purchase.

Really, almost anyone can install a car radio. The head unit is retained only by a couple of bolts and maybe a strap behind a piece of easily removable trim plate.

I couldn't WAIT to rip out that factory piece of junk from my Venture and get my hands on installing the Kenwood.

Anyway, not intending to drift off topic, just curious as to why you folks are taking the OEM route rather than an aftermarket route that saves you this stress and aggravation.

I'm not replacing my radio, not yet anyway. My battery died and after the jump the radio was locked. This may "kill" you but I just need sound and a clock and I am happy. When my son inherits the car, he can upgrade/replace the radio.

I have a really dumb question, but why are those of you who are replacing factory radios, replacing them with factory radios and not better performing aftermarket radios that don't have these issues?

If you call Crutchfield, or head to their website, you'll find almost instantly what fits your particular car and what factory harnesses and adapters might be necessary. And usually, those add-on accessories are free with a radio purchase.

Really, almost anyone can install a car radio. The head unit is retained only by a couple of bolts and maybe a strap behind a piece of easily removable trim plate.

I couldn't WAIT to rip out that factory piece of junk from my Venture and get my hands on installing the Kenwood.

Anyway, not intending to drift off topic, just curious as to why you folks are taking the OEM route rather than an aftermarket route that saves you this stress and aggravation.


some of these OEM radios are part of the vehicles communication system with the operator....my 2000 sil no but later models it is !

If my cd/radio OEM fails I will buy a new aftermarket radio /mp3/usb/IPOD dock set up...

If I have a later model with a radio that is part of the operator vehicle communication I would just install the aftermarket radio with the oem so as to not cause a vehicle issue..depends how some radios are interfaced..

My 6 digit code is 052 055, can u send me what i need to unlock my radio? Thanks.

This is easy just turn your key to the on position and hold down the 1 and 4 buttons on your radio it should unlock after that. The Haynes manual also has the procedure in it for future reference or more information. Also the radio has a distinct code you can get it from Chevy but don't call a dealer. Call their corporate, each one has it downloaded into the computer. My Bose only works with my Silverado. Another thing Chevy did to make us rely on the dealers

Hello all,

Here's the issue I'm having, trying to avoid going to a dealership.... Grabbed a factory deck out of a scrapped '02 Cavalier I'm attempting to put it into a '03 Pontiac Sunfire, I hooked everything up radio is displaying 'LOC' I've tried holding 2 & 3 and 1 & 4 also right seek and 6, So far absolutely nothing has helped, the odd thing is I've hooked it up and cycled the key quickly and the radio will work while the key is off until putting the key back into the "on" mode then it switches back to LOC..... Any suggestions ?? I appreciate any help provided..

Unfortunately, I think it started in 2001 or 2002 cars, where you no longer can get a code by pressing buttons anymore....you need a GM Tech II scan tool, to unlock it...then GM made it worse on the newer model cars.....the radios have the VIN number of the car programmed into it.....this means you can't swap radios anymore, because the radio will not be able to communicate with other modules on the serial data bus line....this also prevented dealerships from swapping radios in cars to make customers happy when buying a new vehicle....so basically they would order radios with the same options for their cars(the high end ones).....

Hello all,

Here's the issue I'm having, trying to avoid going to a dealership.... Grabbed a factory deck out of a scrapped '02 Cavalier I'm attempting to put it into a '03 Pontiac Sunfire, I hooked everything up radio is displaying 'LOC' I've tried holding 2 & 3 and 1 & 4 also right seek and 6, So far absolutely nothing has helped, the odd thing is I've hooked it up and cycled the key quickly and the radio will work while the key is off until putting the key back into the "on" mode then it switches back to LOC..... Any suggestions ?? I appreciate any help provided..

best to get your money back with a locked GM radio. also these radio units are not that great anyway. with this type radio security it has reduced radio thieves ..

you can get a good after market radio cheap and buy the interface connector then no issues..

I have found the easiest and cheapest way to disable the LOCK on the 2005 model radio from a Chevy Avalanche.

Most of the posts are showing to remove the security chip, thus destroying a lot of functionality.

The best way is to cut the power on pin 8 of the security chip. No need to unsolder the pin and possibly destroy the chip. Use an Exacto knife to cut the circuit board trace to just that pin, or use a dremmel tool with the cut-off wheel to cut just pin 8.

I got this radio from my son's 2006 Avalanche after he replaced the radio with an after market. I installed it in my 2003 Silverado 2500 (had a bad after market in it from the previous owner). Everything works fine, except for the calibration error message on power up that goes away.


Bill L.

I have found the easiest and cheapest way to disable the LOCK on the 2005 model radio from a Chevy Avalanche.

Most of the posts are showing to remove the security chip, thus destroying a lot of functionality.

The best way is to cut the power on pin 8 of the security chip. No need to unsolder the pin and possibly destroy the chip. Use an Exacto knife to cut the circuit board trace to just that pin, or use a dremmel tool with the cut-off wheel to cut just pin 8.

I got this radio from my son's 2006 Avalanche after he replaced the radio with an after market. I installed it in my 2003 Silverado 2500 (had a bad after market in it from the previous owner). Everything works fine, except for the calibration error message on power up that goes away.


Bill L.

how did you identify the security chip ?

Watch this video on youtube, it will show you where the chips are located.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eov0v0itnA0

This link below is a PDF Data sheet that will show how to identify pin 8.



http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_14266439028247&key=915a3ef3a2c7fbe5ff056fd8727a518b&libId=i7e2x297010009xn000DAca5gmvd7&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automotiveforums.com%2Ft89962 3-bypassed_theftlock_on_gm_chevy_class_ii_mp3_cd_hu. html&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tranzistoare.ro%2Fdatasheets% 2F134%2F80474_DS.pdf&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&title=Bypassed%20TheftLock%20on%20GM%20Chevy%20Cla ss%20II%20MP3%20CD%20HU%20-%20Car%20Forums%20and%20Automotive%20Chat&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tranzistoare.ro%2Fdatasheets% 2F134%2F80474_DS.pdf

Bill L.

it very well may be that I cannot find my glasses or I am doing it ass backwards, but my radio is locked..my six digit code is 842 855. Might I get an unlock code from you, please?

You can try the toll-free number, 800-537-5140, and enter dealership codes:

202108, 206053, or 620529.

Unlock Instructions (http://www.kingbain.com/unlock-gm-theftlock-radios/)

You can try the toll-free number, 800-537-5140, and enter dealership codes:

202108, 206053, or 620529.

Unlock Instructions (http://www.kingbain.com/unlock-gm-theftlock-radios/)

Much thanks..you certainly make that easy for me..so I have another problem and am hoping to roubleshoot it, security chime in my 2001 Chevy Silverado, how do i shut that off, is it with a grenade or is there something simpler?

A good topic for another thread.

Just. Bought 2002 trailblazer lt
No radio...got a 03 gmc envoy one
It's LOCKED
Tried all the steps posted. NOTHING
The power off doesn't even work....
Help!!!

Just. Bought 2002 trailblazer lt
No radio...got a 03 gmc envoy one
It's LOCKED
Tried all the steps posted. NOTHING
The power off doesn't even work....
Help!!!
Reading other posts helps. ;)

Unfortunately, I think it started in 2001 or 2002 cars, where you no longer can get a code by pressing buttons anymore....you need a GM Tech II scan tool, to unlock it...then GM made it worse on the newer model cars.....the radios have the VIN number of the car programmed into it.....this means you can't swap radios anymore, because the radio will not be able to communicate with other modules on the serial data bus line....this also prevented dealerships from swapping radios in cars to make customers happy when buying a new vehicle....so basically they would order radios with the same options for their cars(the high end ones).....

Ok ive got a 2012 Chevy Malibu that for one reason or another felt that the stereo needed to be locked. There was NO loss of power to the vehicle at all. I need to know how to get the code for this stereo so i can unlock it without having to take my car to the dealership. I dont know how much they will charge me but id rather not have to shell out money i dont have just to have my stereo working again.


HELP ME PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!