radio installation and codes required

[bob1936]

I recenty changed out my radio due to faulty cassette player and purchased a used radio/cassette/CD from a salvage yard. It came with the vin numbers from donar car,etc. I tested it and it works fine. I installed it, however, it locked up and will not play. I have read that the code to unlock is in one of 5 places in my car. I think I found it in my trunk. Can anyone advise me how to enter the code or do I need to take it to the dealer? I would appreciate your advise very much.

Thank Bob

[Flatrater]

Radio codes are not anywhere in the car only place is the radio. Go to a dealer they will unlock the radio for a price.

[bob1936]

Flatrater,

Thanks for the reply. I do most of the work on my cars myself, but, had come to the conclusion that I'd probably have to go to the dealer on this one.
I will go to Buick dealer tomorrow with my sales receipt. Appreciate the help!

PS - Like your ad banner - our son is headed to Iraq this week for a year to help bring the peace.

Bob

[bob1936]

Update ~

I went to the Buick dealer today and the mechanic set my radio code with a scanner of some sort while it was still installed in the dash. Best of all there was NO charge!! I purchased this used radio/cassette/CD player for $127. and the quality sounds much better than the orginal. I will enjoy for a long time to come!!

Thanks again,
Bob

[NC-Lesabre]

Hi Bob and Flattracker,
Thanks for the info about the radio. I have tried about everything short of taking it to the dealer to try to bust the loc code. I believe that I will have to do the dealer thing next week if I want the unit to ever play. I took out the elcheapo am/fm/cassette which doesn't have a theft lock and replaced it with a am/fm/cassette/cd that I picked up off of ebay. I think that the dealers in my area (Chapel Hill, NC) want about $45 for the scan. We will see.
Yep, Flattracker I like your banner too.
God speed to your son Bob. Thank him for his service to our country.
My son is heading to Iraq on Monday.
Regards,
Jim

[NC-Lesabre]

Sorry Flatrater, I had motorcycle racing on my mind.
Jim

[bob1936]

Jim ~
I got my radio off ebay also. It has a great sound and was a good investment we are enjoying it to the max. Good luck with yours, I hope you get the code so you can enjoy it!

Thanks to your son and Godspeed him in Iraq also. It is a mess there and looks like it will be for years to come. We just received word our son's convoy just made it safely, so we breath a sigh of relief. Let's pray the situation will get solved soon and our sons can come home soon! Freedom isn't Free!
God Bless America!
Bob

[NC-Lesabre]

Bob,

Thanks for the good words regarding my son.

I plan to get to the dealer in the next couple of days to clear the LOC on the radio. Did you need to give him the VIN of the donor vehicle?

Thanks.............Jim

[bob1936]

Jim ~

I had all that info, but Buick dealer did not require it.

Good luck!
Bob

[NC-Lesabre]

Went to the dealer yesterday to get the Lock code busted/ reset. I told the service writer what I had already done but they ignored me and went through the full set of exercises before saying "It's always worked before". I then mentioned Bob's experience and suggested that they hook up a scan tool to the PCM. Sure enough, they were able to reset the radio code through the computer. Hooray!
So now the radio is unlocked however there seems to be an incompatibility with the antenna. My 2000 Lesabre which was manufactured in mid 1999 has a different antenna plug in than the radio/cd that I picked up off of ebay. This "simple" project is getting too complicated.
Thanks Bob, for the scan tip.
Jim