GM Anti-theft Radio codes????

I've been hearing about anti-theft radio codes, that cost $45(GM factory charge to the dealership), to have reset, if your battery is disconnected or runs down.

Are these codes set by the dealer or at the factory before delivery?

Are there ways to deactivate these codes or feature?

Who'd want to steal a GM factory radio?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Factory CD head unit is pretty decent and fits without the ugly adaptors for most aftermarket sets. There is a procedure to pull a radio ID code, call a factory number, and get a generic unlock code. If the radio is working in the car you can just reprogram the code to something you can remember.

How do I reprogram the code?

There is not a procedure in the owners manuel.

You have to use a TECH II tool to reprogram the radio. A good service shop that works on a lot of GM Products should have one or there is always the dealer.

What year vehicle is this?

I heard there is a way to retrieve the code, before the battery is disconnected so you can re-enter after power restored, but know one seems to know.

As for what year, we are just curiuos for whatever year, but lets just say a 2004.

Oops. Ok in general this would be tied into the body control module. The radio works in the vehicle that has the right VIN number, has to be reprogrammed by a dealer tech to work in something else. If the battery is unhooked and reconnected, I think, the radio will still work. I think. Parts_Guy (above) might have the info on this. Stuff is too new for me.

Regarding 2004 radios, the Theftlock theft deterrent system is a feature on all base and uplevel radios. There is no need to program a security code into the radio as in past model years. The theft deterrent system now utilizes class 2 serial data to determine if the radio is in the appropriate vehicle. Each time the radio receives the "run" power mode message, it compares the VIN information it has stored to the VIN information received from a module on the class 2 serial data circuit responsible for transmitting that information. If a mis-match occurs, the radio display will indicate to the user the radio is locked. Once this takes place, a DTC will set, the radio will not respond to any button presses and become inoperative. The 2 scenarios able to cause this condition are:
• A radio is installed from another vehicle.
• A module which communicates on the class 2 serial data circuit which supplies VIN information to the radio is replaced and not properly setup with the correct VIN information for that vehicle.

The only way to unlock the radio is by using a scan tool.

Thanks Parts_guy,

So if the power is removed from later model gm vehicles the dealership does not have to call the factory to get an access code(for a fee), to unlock the radio?

A friend said on his new 05 Gran Prix the dealership did not program a code, and therefore his radio light does not blink. My 04 Monte Carlo's light does blink, but if my battery goes down I won't need to have the radio unlocked, unless the comm module is replaced?

Thanks Parts_guy,

So if the power is removed from later model gm vehicles the dealership does not have to call the factory to get an access code(for a fee), to unlock the radio?

A friend said on his new 05 Gran Prix the dealership did not program a code, and therefore his radio light does not blink. My 04 Monte Carlo's light does blink, but if my battery goes down I won't need to have the radio unlocked, unless the comm module is replaced?

FYI - The dealership does not contact the "factory" to get an access code. They use a Tech II tool to retrieve the information from the vehicle/radio. The fee (if any) they charge is for their labor.

Not sure on the blinking part, but yes if the battery dies you will not have to have the radio unlocked.

[QUOTE=parts_guy]Regarding 2004 radios, the Theftlock theft deterrent system is a feature on all base and uplevel radios. There is no need to program a security code into the radio as in past model years. The theft deterrent system now utilizes class 2 serial data to determine if the radio is in the appropriate vehicle. Each time the radio receives the "run" power mode message, it compares the VIN information it has stored to the VIN information received from a module on the class 2 serial data circuit responsible for transmitting that information. If a mis-match occurs, the radio display will indicate to the user the radio is locked. Once this takes place, a DTC will set, the radio will not respond to any button presses and become inoperative. The 2 scenarios able to cause this condition are:
• A radio is installed from another vehicle.
• A module which communicates on the class 2 serial data circuit which supplies VIN information to the radio is replaced and not properly setup with the correct VIN information for that vehicle.

The only way to unlock the radio is by using a scan tool.[/

Does this apply to a 2000 Buick LeSabre as well?