How to unlock your Theftlock radio

[onehunglow]

*edited*

[Custom88]

Great information! I would suggest that an admin/moderator copy/paste this and save it on their own computer then remove it from this site. We can share it on a need-to-know basis. It'd not the best idea to have it on a public forum. We should not share this procedure with a member that joins for the sole purpose of learning how to unlock the cd player. WIth the discrtion of an administrator, it can be chosen who will recieve this information and it can be sent to them in a PM.

[onehunglow]

That sounds like a good idea - the instructions carried the automated Delco 800 number AND a dealer code to punch in...if GM sees it on a public forum, they may just de-activate this dealer code....and no one will be able to benefit

Tthe message has been editted already by the moderator I see...he/she should post instructions how a member can get to this information if needed.

[scottydl]

I'm not sure this information should be available at all from anyone other than a dealer, unless GM authorizes us to disperse it. The theft deterrent aspect of "Theftlock" is pointless if the codes are publicly available online or anywhere else.

[onehunglow]

Well I agree to a point. Please be aware that the unlock procedure requires you to press a few buttons on your radio, get 2 3-digit codes, dial an 800 number, enter the code, get a code back which you enter into your radio to get it to work. Thats it.

Now if someone disconnects their battery for whatever reason, pops out the radio to change a bulb on it or even changes a non-working radio, it requires a trip to the dealer, an appointment, a payment of at least $50-$70 and they do the same phone call and enter in the same code.

My dealer gave me the 800 number because they couldn't book me for at least 2 weeks (emergencies were being booked a week away) and it would have been an $85 charge after not having a radio for 14 days....

And that is fine if you want to do that....

But if anyone wants that information to do it themselves (and isn't that the idea of a forum?), shouldn't they have the right to that info?

Personally I woudl thank any member who would help me out.

Yes dealers have a place in this world. But are we doing them a disservice for mentioning that they could also buy a part on eBay or an online ordering site or type in a code to activate their radio?

[Custom88]

I see both sides of the argument. This is why I suggested the moderator/admin hold onto the information and dispense it depending on certain cirumstances. It should not be readily available information for anyone to read though.

[erw38]

onehunglow said:

But if anyone wants that information to do it themselves (and isn't that the idea of a forum?), shouldn't they have the right to that info?

I agree that the idea of this onlne forum is to help other people out, but not to condone illegal stuff. Use of that number is in effect theft from GM. Theft of anything is wrong and that is NOT the point of any public forum (at least not this forum).

[Aurora40]

onehunglow said:

Now if someone disconnects their battery for whatever reason, pops out the radio to change a bulb on it or even changes a non-working radio, it requires a trip to the dealer, an appointment, a payment of at least $50-$70 and they do the same phone call and enter in the same code.

This is not true. If you enable Theft-Loc in the first place, you have to pick a 4-digit code to unlock it. So you, as the owner of the radio, will always be able to unlock it. Scumbag thiefs will not be able to.

The problem with used cars is that it seems people tend to set it but not pass that information along to the new buyer, which seems pretty crummy. It's a shame the dealer and GM charge so much to rectify that...

However, you now hold information on how to circumvent this, and anyone who wants to know it now knows you know this information.

[BuccaneersFan]

erw38 said:

onehunglow said:

But if anyone wants that information to do it themselves (and isn't that the idea of a forum?), shouldn't they have the right to that info?

Use of that number is in effect theft from GM. Theft of anything is wrong and that is NOT the point of any public forum (at least not this forum).

If its used for your own car how is that theft? If anything GM is ripping people off by charging $50-$70 to call an 800 number.

Thanks for the info onehunglow, luckily I copied it and saved it to my computer before it was removed.

[erw38]

buccaneersfan said:

erw38 said:

If its used for your own car how is that theft? If anything GM is ripping people off by charging $50-$70 to call an 800 number.

dictionary.reference.com/search?q=theft

Main Entry: theft
Function: noun
Etymology: Old English thiefth
: LARCENY; broadly : a criminal taking of the property or services of another without consent
NOTE: Theft commonly encompasses by statute a variety of forms of stealing formerly treated as distinct crimes.

Did GM give you explicit permission to use that number and/or service for free.

I agree that they are charging way to much for the service, but that is not justification for anything.

[onehunglow]

I did not intend to provide this information to thieves. All of them are our enemies. There are only two type of people who need this info. 1) Owners who have disconnected their battery for whatever reason and shouldn't need to pay GM $89 for their cautious or careless move and 2) people who have legitamitely purchased a new radio from eBay (or equiv) to fix it or burnt lights or whatever and want to put in their car and don't want to pay an ADDITIONAL $89 just to make it work.

[BuccaneersFan]

Main Entry: theft
Function: noun
Etymology: Old English thiefth
: LARCENY; broadly : a criminal taking of the property or services of another without consent
NOTE: Theft commonly encompasses by statute a variety of forms of stealing formerly treated as distinct crimes.

Ok, so technically its theft. ;D

I agree that they are charging way to much for the service, but that is not justification for anything.

Its justification enough for me. Why should I have to pay to use my own radio.

[onehunglow]

To answer your question, no the dealer did not say "here is the number and post it on the boards". But they did not say it is secret and should not be posted otherwise. As a matter of fact, the number is on a GM service bulletin letterhead tacked on the bulletin board just inside the service area. The service manager walked me over to it, took out the tack and let me copy the instructions and told me "its pretty simple to do, if you have any problems you'll be back anyways"...

There was a burnt out light in my shift center console. Parts dept said the only replacement is a new shifter assembly for $287. He also used his experience to pull a bulb number from another part in the documentation, sold it to me for $2 and said that this will solve my problem.

Now am I ripping GM off by using a tip from a Parts dept manager and spending only $2 instead of $287? According to GM, yes. Did he specifically say "do not post this information on the Aurora boards" - again no. So did I do something wrong for our members?

If you do not want me to contribute information like this and just want this site to be a photo site for people to post pictures of their just-waxed Auroras and have people comment on the nice mags they got, then please tell me and I will not contribute any more.

I am like most of us an Aurora-lover and being a benevolant person, think that sharing information is what we are all here for.

I really don't care then if you know how to unlock your radio or not or you desire to run to the dealer and make an appointment to spend your money with them to enter in a code or not...

It does not help nor hinder me by providing this information - I already have it and it worked for me. If you want it, great but if you feel that too much information is harmful to our community., then okay too....tell me



The dealer also did

[BuccaneersFan]

onehunglow, if you have any other information, such as unlocking the radio, but you think it shouldn't be posted do to the above situation, please PM it to me lol. ;D

[onehunglow]

Main Entry: theft
Function: noun
Etymology: Old English thiefth
: LARCENY; broadly : a criminal taking of the property or services of another without consent
NOTE: Theft commonly encompasses by statute a variety of forms of stealing formerly treated as distinct crimes.

(posted above)
note the words: 'CRIMINAL TAKING of the property or services..."
First of all I resent the suggestion that I have taken something criminally. I have never broken the law nor intend anything of the sort.

I would like someone to show me or prove me or lead me to ANYTHING that GM says that the 800 automated number they have is 'criminal' for anyone except a dealer to use. I have all the Aurora documentation, service bulletins and the 3 volume Service manual. I have looked the GM website and read my purchase agreement and back of my last service contract. At no place is it ever even hinted that an attempt to acquire or use the 800 radio unlock code is 'criminal' or 'illegal' or even discouraged. Even on that instructional sheet, they do not mention that it is for dealers eyes or use only. The header was clearly "GM Theftlock Entertainment system code unlock instructions" or something like that. It wasn't even Oldsmobile-specific (all GM car radios have the same system). I am sure that the guy that I bought my Olds service manuals who did the liquidation for a Chev-Olds dealership would have provided that sheet if i asked for it.

So puh-leze fellows...do not call me criminal

[Aurora40]

I would say that a dealership gave this information to him. It wasn't given under any pretext, with any agreement in place, etc. If the dealership is essentially passing on stolen property, then that needs to be established. However, GM has the power to prevent his information from having any use or value if they desire.

That said, it would be careless and irresponsible to treat the information casually or to enable thieves. But he has this info and can use it as he sees fit.

The information is not posted here any longer, so let's not cast names or labels around when it serves no purpose at all.

[SupaStealth]

i've taken my stock radio out a few times, put it back in a few times, i'm assuming my "theftlock" isn't enabled? it always worked when i reinstalled it, i'm glad too because i had some battery problems the power cable wasn't on correctly, that would suck to pay the dealer to redo it, then the next time i start my car have to do it again, heh. oh well, it's all aftermarket now

[Aurora40]

supastealth said:

i've taken my stock radio out a few times, put it back in a few times, i'm assuming my "theftlock" isn't enabled?

You can tell somehow. I think if the light blinks when the car is on and running and such, that means the code has not been set. You don't have to enable it if you don't want. I believe when the car is off, it blinks either way, so a thief can't tell the difference.

[Custom88]

on the 95-99 the theftlock ligth will blink only if the option is enabled. On the 2001+ the option is always enabled and cannot be turned off. The 2001 is smarter like that. You can remove the radio as often as you want because the way the theftlock works on the 01 + is the radio has the VIN number stored inside of it. Everytime the radio is powered up, the radio compares its stored VIN with the VIN stored in the car's PCM. IF they do not match the radio is locked and inoperable. If they VINs match, the radio will work.

[oldsfanatic]

Thanks Custom88. I just had a dilemma with removing the cover on the console in my 2002 and stopped short because I needed to remove the radio. I can now continue on trying to repair the light on the console showing the gears.

Thanks again.

[uneekboi]

Sept 30, 2005 11:07:26 GMT -6 Custom88 said:

on the 95-99 the theftlock ligth will blink only if the option is enabled. On the 2001+ the option is always enabled and cannot be turned off. The 2001 is smarter like that. You can remove the radio as often as you want because the way the theftlock works on the 01 + is the radio has the VIN number stored inside of it. Everytime the radio is powered up, the radio compares its stored VIN with the VIN stored in the car's PCM. IF they do not match the radio is locked and inoperable. If they VINs match, the radio will work.

I just purchased a new radio from ebay out a used Aurora. Would I have to call a 1-800 # since it out of a different car with a different VIN # or take it to the dealer? Thanks!

[bobsblue95]

Not all Aurora head units have Theftlock. My Olds h/u doesn't but the Bose does, both 95 models.

[uneekboi]

I have the 2nd GEN.....my radio is saying LOCKED b/c I bought one from EBAY. I called the dealership & they said I have to have a scan tool to get the code & it will cost $75.00. Is that true? I have found a page that gives you instructions on how to unlock the radio but it does not work for the 2nd GEN.

[clutch1]

My question is.. who in the world would want to steal a factory radio?! Lol.

[bobsblue95]

^^^ what he said!

[Paulaurora]

lol agree

[bobsblue95]

Having a stock head unit is my theft deterrent lol

[Aurora40]

Jul 27, 2011 9:28:59 GMT -6 uneekboi said:

I have the 2nd GEN.....my radio is saying LOCKED b/c I bought one from EBAY. I called the dealership & they said I have to have a scan tool to get the code & it will cost $75.00. Is that true? I have found a page that gives you instructions on how to unlock the radio but it does not work for the 2nd GEN.

The 2nd gen is like all modern GM car radios. It is mated to the specific car. You can't unlock it or fix it without a Tech-II.

It will take a tech about 5 minutes tops to do. Some places will charge you an hour of labor, some are nice. Like anything with dealers, it varies greatly.