'04 Silverado - AM/FM/CD to AM/FM/MP3 CD

I know others have touched on this issue, but I can't find an exact answer for my application...

I want to pull my factory AM/FM/CASSETTE/CD and put in a factory AM/FM/CD MP3. A normal CD will hold about 20 music tracks while an MP3 cd will hold hundreds of tracks.

Tried to do a swap a few years ago with my dad's MP3 from his '05 Envoy. Swapped and plugged in and neither of ours worked in the other's vehicle. GM dealer couldn't figure out how to re-program but still took $30 from me. They claimed I could not cross over from Envoy to Silverado.

Found a unit on e-bay for pretty cheap and want to buy it, but only if a dealer (or advice on here) can make it work. Seller on e-bay claims it will it an '03 - '05 Silverado.

Suggestions please?? Auction time is running out. Thanks!

I know others have touched on this issue, but I can't find an exact answer for my application...

I want to pull my factory AM/FM/CD and put in a factory AM/FM/CD MP3. A normal CD will hold about 20 music tracks while an MP3 cd will hold hundreds of tracks.

Tried to do a swap a few years ago with my dad's MP3 from his '05 Envoy. Swapped and plugged in and neither of ours worked in the other's vehicle. GM dealer couldn't figure out how to re-program but still took $30 from me. They claimed I could not cross over from Envoy to Silverado.

Found a unit on e-bay for pretty cheap and want to buy it, but only if a dealer (or advice on here) can make it work. Seller on e-bay claims it will it an '03 - '05 Silverado.

Suggestions please?? Auction time is running out. Thanks!

why the cd/mp3 ? this is old tech stuff ...suseptible to many issues....the usb with a 4-8 GB storage would be a better easier set up..

crutchfield has a lot of info on these units and if they can be installed with the correct wiring interface connector which must be used to avoid damage..the radio in your vehicle should not have any other controls/displays that are part of the vehicles security or any other operation ...

if you do have a radio that is part of the vehicle operation then it is best to install your new unit separate ...

do not use the existing speakers they will not be able to handle the power of these units..the speakers are 10w max ...

I suppose I wasn't clear in my original post - my bad. I'm looking for #1 - factory look. I am not interested in aftermarket. I want to keep my steering wheel controls functional. I have a cassette adapter now which I use with my fake-pod, but running wires with the adapter and going through batteries on the fake-pod, as well as not having the song and artist info. displayed is annoying.

With an MP3 cd player, I get over 150 songs onto a single cd, without cords, without thumb drives, without wearing down batteries in an mp3 player. Oh yeah - and I'm broke - that's the main thing. I found a factory mp3 player for $75 shipped. I'm not looking for bass-pounding, house-shaking, rearview mirror vibrating sounds.

I would like to know how to swap out my single disc cd/am/fm/cassette for a single disc cd/am/fm where the stereo can decode the mp3 format. Do I have to take it to a dealer? Has anyone done this before successfully?

since you want a factory a/c delco OEM unit this will be nearly impossible to get an answer...this is because GM does not / will not provide you with this info...these OEM units are top secret electronics devices ...

my post was with a vehicle owner that having a 2004 model would give the most info about this ...since you have a steering wheel controller this is where the problems arise...I doubt you will get an answer here ..perhaps somewhere on the web it is possible ...your choosing of the OEM unit is the problem on getting this info....also any a/c delco radio will need be unlocked ,,,, more cost ...by the time you finish this, it wil cost more than a crutchfield mp3 player that will work ....

power of these radios are usually higher than the OEM models...and have a better amplifier unit ...cost under 150.oo....and you will know it is gonna work as they will back it up !

MP3 is outdated ......but its your vehicle ...

Here's what I have - Part # 15104156


38586
(click to enlarge)


Here's what I want to get - Part # 15216905

38587
(click to enlarge)

Here's what I have - Part # 15104156


38586


Here's what I want to get - Part # 15216905

38587

the units look very close ...problem is its all a crap shoot ...roll the dice see what happens 75.00 plus unlocking the unit ...

post back what happened ..

Maybe I can ask this a different way to anyone who owns a 2004 Silverado - do you currently have a factory-installed mp3 player in your truck?

OR - does anyone know if it was even an option to have mp3 in a Silverado in 2004?


By the way... the unit is on its way here (Wisconsin) from Georgia... my fingers are crossed. If it doesn't work, I may have a nice mp3 factory stereo for sale for $100 (my cost).

Maybe I can ask this a different way to anyone who owns a 2004 Silverado - do you currently have a factory-installed mp3 player in your truck?

OR - does anyone know if it was even an option to have mp3 in a Silverado in 2004?


By the way... the unit is on its way here (Wisconsin) from Georgia... my fingers are crossed. If it doesn't work, I may have a nice mp3 factory stereo for sale for $100 (my cost).

I just got my crutchfield product guide yesterday...they have what you want with the steering wheel adapter its about 225.oo...mp3/cd/usb/hd radio..15-22watts RMS which will give a good quality sound with out the need of high power speakers ....the oem speakers are junk however....

post back how this all worked out good luck !

Radio will arrive on Monday. Appointment set up at the local GM dealer at 10:30 Tuesday morning. We'll see what happens. Unbelievable that I can't get an answer out of anyone from GM if the stereo I'm getting will work in my 04 Silverado.

Do they really think people will steal stock stereos - thus the Theftlock? What a secret society they're running with these stereos.

Radio will arrive on Monday. Appointment set up at the local GM dealer at 10:30 Tuesday morning. We'll see what happens. Unbelievable that I can't get an answer out of anyone from GM if the stereo I'm getting will work in my 04 Silverado.

Do they really think people will steal stock stereos - thus the Theftlock? What a secret society they're running with these stereos.

so I guess you now believe me ! delco electronics is all TOP SECRET ....

THE DEALERSHIP has employees that are stock clerks , part changers ....they do no have any details of these electronic devices ...GM keeps this very secret info ,,,to insure your only going to replace the entire unit/componet rather than repair the componet...


this also applies to their TSB reports on the vehicles ...should be laws that require them to send you , the owner of the TSB vehicle , a copy of issues / changes that have been found in the failures reported from dealerships around the country...

DID NOT WORK. Not much of a surprise, but no matter what they programmed, they could not get the computer believe that that particular stereo ever belonged in my truck. DAMN. They took $50 from me though for 45 minutes of work that, well... didn't work.

Back to Square 1. Anybody want to buy an MP3 stereo for $150+shipping?

DID NOT WORK. Not much of a surprise, but no matter what they programmed, they could not get the computer believe that that particular stereo ever belonged in my truck. DAMN. They took $50 from me though for 45 minutes of work that, well... didn't work.

Back to Square 1. Anybody want to buy an MP3 stereo for $150+shipping?


so what is the exact problem ? what does the radio do when attempting to turn on?

when you installed this radio did the connectors all connect exactly .....?

Would not unlock at all. Connections were fine. Tech guy tried telling the radio that it was in a vehicle other than Silverados too - without luck of course. The radio was uncooperative in beliving that it was meant to be in my 04.

Would not unlock at all. Connections were fine. Tech guy tried telling the radio that it was in a vehicle other than Silverados too - without luck of course. The radio was uncooperative in beliving that it was meant to be in my 04.


try these codes , using the standard unlock proceedure..

2253, 3116, 3451, 2152, 4362, 4316
4316, 4513, 4362, 1156, 2145, 1156
6451, 6361, 5624, 5241, 3346, 1165
3241, 4524, 5436, 5813, 3265, 5624
2453, 3462, 3251, 5445, 8253, 1156
2346, 4853, 6645, 5253, 1325, 4136
3116, 3221, 2151, 5312, 2654, 4314

post back what happened ..

BELOW IS WHAT ANOTHER USER POSTED IN THE STICKY UNLOCK RADIO THREAD AT THE TOP OF THE FORUM....


The "GM Unlock Procedures" seen all over the internet only work up to year 2000. 2001 (mostly) and newer, GM coded the VIN into the radio so it knows what car it is in. Dealer has to reprogram if you move it to a new car. If in same car after power removed and re-applied, it should be OK.


I'M NOT TOO HOPEFUL HERE EITHER, BUT WILL GIVE IT A SHOT. 8 BAD TRIES = 1 HOUR WAIT TIME WITH IGNITION ON TO TRY AGAIN, ACCORDING TO ANOTHER USER. 42 CODES TO TRY.

BELOW IS WHAT ANOTHER USER POSTED IN THE STICKY UNLOCK RADIO THREAD AT THE TOP OF THE FORUM....


The "GM Unlock Procedures" seen all over the internet only work up to year 2000. 2001 (mostly) and newer, GM coded the VIN into the radio so it knows what car it is in. Dealer has to reprogram if you move it to a new car. If in same car after power removed and re-applied, it should be OK.


I'M NOT TOO HOPEFUL HERE EITHER, BUT WILL GIVE IT A SHOT. 8 BAD TRIES = 1 HOUR WAIT TIME WITH IGNITION ON TO TRY AGAIN, ACCORDING TO ANOTHER USER. 42 CODES TO TRY.


this is do able ! the hardest part is finding a dealership parts changer that actually knows what he is doing ...they have the tools but the knowledge is lacking....it has been done on your year /model ...these codes I gave worked in a 2004 vehicle ...you have a good chance of success ...

if not the units I suggested with the USB/MP3 are the way to go....never understood why anyone would want a ac delco radio ...so many complaints out there with unhappy owners because GM is un willing to help with these issues ...

you have plenty of time , but not money ...patience...

Update: plugged it in again... tried the unlock procedure by pressing buttons 2&3 together... did nothing. Tried many different combinations, never got LOCKED to come off of the display. So I unplugged it, re-plugged it in, repeated a couple of times, and voila! - the damn thing started working. Of course it went to LOCKED again when I started the truck. If I unplug/replug, it will unlock - until, once again, it re-locks.

But that's more than it did whle it was at the dealer... maybe I can convince them to do this pro-bono so they know what the hell they are doing for the next schmuck who wants to do this. Wouldn't it be to their advantage? To know what the hell they are doing? Thay way they may get some return business. I know I won't go to a GM dealer for anything if I don't have to.

But I did get somewhere tonight.

Went to start the truck this morning and the damn thing fired right up... but the truck wouldn't start - had the key on too long last night. Jumped it, and it went into lock mode again. Took it to the dealer again today, same tech guy came out with the Tech II tool to try again - since we knew the radio had life, and lo and behold, the Tech II tool only works with the key in the "on" position... so we were where we were at two days ago. Oh well, at least he came out on his own time with it... in other words - they didn't ask for money and I sure as hell didn't offer.

Went to start the truck this morning and the damn thing fired right up... but the truck wouldn't start - had the key on too long last night. Jumped it, and it went into lock mode again. Took it to the dealer again today, same tech guy came out with the Tech II tool to try again - since we knew the radio had life, and lo and behold, the Tech II tool only works with the key in the "on" position... so we were where we were at two days ago. Oh well, at least he came out on his own time with it... in other words - they didn't ask for money and I sure as hell didn't offer.

where in wisc do you live ? must be up north ...

I am very familiar with this state .....good auto repair shops are hard to find ...

North of Green Bay, on the upper Michigan border... Marinette.




Hey j-cat = look to the left... CITY and STATE are listed. I just noticed. ha. maybe the solution to my radio dilemma is that simple - something obvious overlooked! :)

North of Green Bay, on the upper Michigan border... Marinette.




Hey j-cat = look to the left... CITY and STATE are listed. I just noticed. ha. maybe the solution to my radio dilemma is that simple - something obvious overlooked! :)


my inlaws from milwaukee....good luck your way up there !

OK... the more and more I read... it looks like the dealership has to have their tech guy just erast the current vin info on the radio with their Scan Tech II tool. If it won't work for a Silverado, I've seen that actually cheating the tech tool telling it the vehicle is - of all things - a Monte Carlo... will erase the current vin info stored in the radio...

Then just go through an ignition cycle and the radio will have the new vehicle's vin info. stored in it allowing the vehicle and radio to agree that they belong together. Anybody out there know a GM tech who has used this tool before for such purposes?

So the radio adventure looks like it's coming to an end. I e-mailed the company today and asked them to take their damn radio back. Unless anyone has the answer before it gets shipped back, then all hope is lost. I was hoping someone would know how to unlock a newer radio so others would be able to do it too.

So the radio adventure looks like it's coming to an end. I e-mailed the company today and asked them to take their damn radio back. Unless anyone has the answer before it gets shipped back, then all hope is lost. I was hoping someone would know how to unlock a newer radio so others would be able to do it too.

people / companies selling locked radio equiptment is pretty stupid ..

sorry to hear its a lot of lost effort ..some had success...