Stock Junkyard Radio - "Locked"

[Fitz98]

I picked up a junkyard radio for 25.00 for my 2003 Suburban.
My old one would only works once it gets hot in the cabin.
When I plugged it in, it sounded like the cd player was trying to spin and I got a message on the screen that said "Locked". No sound at all.
Is there a workaround for this?
Can I use any part of the circuit boards in my old unit to rebuild my old one and avoid the locked condition?
What would I be looking for in a used one to avoid this? I don't want to waste any more money on useless old radios...junkyard parts were not returnable.

 

[eljefino]

You'll need to get a "precode" out of it. Methods vary but typically you hold down presets 5 & 6 when you power it up.

Your GM dealer, or one in Eastern Europe you hire off ebay, can turn that pre-code into a real code that will unlock it.

Sometimes people write radio codes in owners manuals.

You could look your old radio circuit boards over carefully-- the most common faults are cracked solder joints and swollen, leaky capacitors. You can reflow solder with an iron or replace caps at a component level if you're skilled enough. The parts are dirt cheap if you don't mind waiting.

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

I just Googled "how to unlock a locked Chevy radio" and got a procedure involving buttons on the unit and a phone number to call. Give it a shot and let us know if it works.

 

[dishdude]

You need to connect a tech-2 or similar and code it to your VIN.

 

[sloinker]

I had a Suburban radio that would only play Willy Nelson on the radio and only accept Willy Nelson CD's. I was unhappy and bought another unit from a junkyard, it had the code taped to it. Install was easy and it worked flawlessly. I am still getting used to the Slim Whitman only radio and cd player. j/k
I remember seeing stickers in owners manuals or cards that had the codes for the radio from the 1990's through 2010 or so. When everything went to canbus this changed the scenario as radios and everything else had their own VIN attached to them which makes replacing them a pain for the consumer but a moneymaker for the dealer.

 

[PF52]

I've got a "Locked" radio in my Impala but it is only locked because I replaced the BCM with a junkyard module, and now the BCM doesn't communicate with the radio. I'm too lazy to take it to the dealer to get it programmed.

 

[CorvairGeek]

You need to connect a tech-2 or similar and code it to your VIN.

This is a correct, but there is a work around for testing. If you disconnect the battery, and then hook it back up, you can turn the ignition to the "ACC" and test the stereo function. The serial bus does not perform the VIN check in the "ACC" position. Once you turn the ignition to "ON" it performs the check and will retain the non-matched VIN error (LOCKED) until the battery is disconnected.

 

[Speedbird001]

In the 90’s I worked at a Honda dealer. Saw this all the time. Easy 5 min fix for them at the time; 1/2 hr labor IIRC. Probably requires some kind of technology

 

[Mazomopar]

I had a Suburban radio that would only play Willy Nelson on the radio and only accept Willy Nelson CD's. I was unhappy and bought another unit from a junkyard, it had the code taped to it. Install was easy and it worked flawlessly. I am still getting used to the Slim Whitman only radio and cd player. j/k
I remember seeing stickers in owners manuals or cards that had the codes for the radio from the 1990's through 2010 or so. When everything went to canbus this changed the scenario as radios and everything else had their own VIN attached to them which makes replacing them a pain for the consumer but a moneymaker for the dealer.

Willie Nelson radios only communicate with cannabis canbus systems.

 

[Timmastertech]

In that 03 the radio is a module on the data bus and is currently locked because of vin mismatch. There isnt a code number like the old radios. Need someone with a tech 2 and SPS access to program it, trying to do that with J2534 or an MDI on a class 2 vehicle is dicey at best.

 

[Fitz98]

This is getting pretty complicated (for me anyways) I tried the presets approach after doing the google search. No change.
I may have to just take the approach of getting an aftermarket as I have posted in another thread. Thought this junk yard radio would be a simple temporary solution to get my music back without having to roast myself in the car for 20 minutes first.
I assume the aftermarket radio eliminates the theft protection. Curious if I will be getting new codes if the BCM can't communicate with an aftermarket head unit.
Would an unlocked factory radio from e-bay be any different? I don't mind to throw another 50 or 60 bucks at this if it will work, but I hate throwing money away.

 

[Snagglefoot]

If nothing works try out www.crutchfield.com. I did a 2005 Suburban. Very easy. They have worked out the lock issues. Here is a sampling for a 2003 Suburban.