LOC anti-theft radio problems...

rlatts · #1 04-05-2006, 09:06 PM

Hello,

I have a 99 Grand Am... I was changing the door speakers and took the battery off, all of a sudden once I was finished the LOC was on and my radio wouldnt turn on. Anti-theft was engaged, I bought this car used and cannot contact the original owner, can I bypass it or find out the code?

I tried using a method that the Grand Prix's use.....by calling the 1-800 number with the 6 digit display code, but only were able to get the first 3 numbers from the radio, method must be different for Grand Am.

Id rather not call the dealer, probably going to cost me something and I really dont feel like paying if I can help it.

Anyone?

xeroinfinity · #2 04-06-2006, 06:20 AM

if the loc was ingaged, and you disconnected the battery,.. you now hav a paper wieght.
The ONLY thing you can do is go to a Pontiac dealer and pray the'll trade it in for one that works.

That is the purpose of the Loc, to keep people from stealing ithe radio and using it. If you dont hav the preveous code you are basicly screwd.

rlatts · #3 04-06-2006, 07:00 AM

Well, there is a way to get the unlock code from a series of buttons pressed together.... grand prix's its 2 and 3, for the first 3 digits and am/fm for the last 3....then you call a 1 800 number for the unlock code. I got that off a foroum. I tried it for the grand am but only were able to get the first 3 digits. Im not sure if anyone out there has the button sequences to obtain the last 3 didigts??

gmack221 · #4 04-06-2006, 08:05 AM

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ght=theft+lock

What you are missing is after you get the first 3 digits to display hit the AM/FM button (within 3 seconds).

tommy00gt1 · #5 04-06-2006, 09:10 AM

Happened to my neighbor too.... He called that 800 telephone number but was told there was no way to tell what the code was because the previous owner did not "register it".... Even though he gave them the car's VIN number, it was meaningless because they did not know what the previous owner entered for the code. I have no idea how it works but I figured I'd tell you what happened to him ..... He ended up with a nice, heavy paperweight; forever locked unfortunately, without knowing the proper code from the previous owner.
If you do have luck though, please post it here as it might help other owners too. Hope you somehow get it unlocked....

Tommy

rlatts · #6 04-06-2006, 06:21 PM

Tried the 2 and 3 preset button, then am/fm button....no good. I took the battery on and off again, I can get the first 3 digits in the unlock display code but not the last 3. Now its INOF.... so I think its time to admit its beaten me. Call GM or get a new cd player.

If anyone has some last words or advice please feel free to share.

tommy00gt1 · #7 04-06-2006, 06:29 PM

Yup, that blows...... There are usually factory radios on E-bay, but they can be risky because so many of the Delco radios have that damn volume control problem. My radio had it too, but my dealership ordered me a new one from Delco-Delphi. This new one has a newer, better volume control in it.
I did put the code on my new one, but I wrote it down for future reference. I wanted that code to have that little red LED light flashing on the face of the radio. A bit more of the "security look", so to say.... So if I loose battery power, I'll have to punch in the correct code too.
I couldn't believe the price of that radio!!!!! My dealer told me it is a $800.00 radio !!! Luckily, it was a warranty item for me; no charge. Whew !
$800.00 is a lot of clams, lol.....

xeroinfinity · #8 04-06-2006, 09:45 PM

the flashing light just screams take me,
then it doesnt work when they try it at home

Ya Tommy, they are expensive.
For $800 you could buy a CD/CD-r/w/rw/DVD/Mp3, with a flip out screen ! Well probley close to $800-1000. If ones willing to shell out that much for a damn Radio

tommy00gt1 · #9 04-07-2006, 07:10 AM

Oh yes... $800.00 is a ridiculous amount. I'd never spend that amount on a factory one myself but since my replacement was under the warranty, I wanted to keep the factory appearance of the car. The previous owner was 82 years old (not a typo...82 years old) and luckily the car was never modded at all; it is all in showroom condition. That's why I wanted a factory radio. He still owns 15 NAPA Auto Parts stores today, and tha car was meticulously cared for. A bit unusual for him to own a 2000 GT1... he bought it new in 2000, and traded it in for two Buick LaCrosse's; one for him and one for his wife. Wish I had some $$$ like that, lol...
So, I figured I'm 51 years old, I might as well keep the car all stock too... I guess I'm gettin' old too, dammit !!!! Time waits for nobody, I guess......

Tommy

oldmike · #10 04-10-2006, 05:37 AM

rlatts,
Any solution to the radio problem yet?
Mike

gmack221 · #11 04-10-2006, 07:12 AM

Try using the code 0000, i read in someone's ebay ad that if it didn't work try that code, im guessing he might have known something about the factory settings that I don't know, maybe you'll get lucky and it will still be set at the factory code. If you don't have it working im sure anything is worth a try at this point.

tommy00gt1 · #12 04-10-2006, 04:43 PM

I hope that 0000 works for him; that would blow if he is stuck with a boat anchor instead of a working radio.
In a way, I can see Pontiac's point in having the option of engaging Theftlock... Maybe it did prevent some thefts along the way... But it really can be a hassle if the owner forgets that code, or a seller doesn't inform the buyer about it....
I just enabled Theftlock on my new factory radio that my dealer ordered for me (warranty item). I like that red blinking LED light that blinks; who knows... maybe it might prevent a break-in sometime... Of course, I do have that code written down in a safe place too.....

xeroinfinity · #13 04-10-2006, 06:47 PM

most people dont right the code down and they get stuck with an anchor

If thier was a fail safe, like the code 0000 then anyone who stole one could get it going.
Hell who'd want to steal a factory radio, when the car next to it has a Pioneer, or Sony, you know something a little nicer.
Thats why I've kept my stereos stock these past few years. F***en hoodlums running the streets just looking for something or someone to do.

Last resort rlatts, go to a Pontiac stealership and see what they will do for ya, just lie and say its always been like that and you havnt the foggiest, you just need a replacement, maybe they'll be nice and get one for cheaper than a new one.
I've had a couple replaced that were NOT under warrnty, for $50. But the last time, they said it was the Last time they could trade it in. Hell that took a week or so to get back...

Good Luck rlatts!

tommy00gt1 · #14 04-10-2006, 08:01 PM

Man, you're right... I never thought of that. If that -0000- did indeed work, then the hoodlums would still be able to steal the radio; enter 0000; and continue to use it. It would defeat the purpose of securing and locking the radio.
Yeah, you're right about those damn hoodlums too.... They'll steal anything today....very sad.

oldmike · #15 04-10-2006, 08:44 PM

tommy00gt1 and xeroinfinity,
I'm not trying to be rude, but unless something is truly broke in the radio, he doesn't have a boat anchor. Since 95 or 96 through 2000, this theftlock system has been used on most factory GM radios. Rlatts has the procedure, it's just not working for him. I have personally used the procedure he is trying on at least 5 radios that I bought from a junkyard, or on used cars I bought and didn't get the code with the car. As I understood what he was doing was, putting in new speakers, not changing radios. Is that right Rlatts?
Mike

BTW, this procedure he's trying is the failsafe you mention. It is a factory programmed 4 digit code that is in the radio even if the owner put his own code in. Kind of like a back door programmers put in computer programs.

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