I just bought a 2006 Chevy Colorado for my daughter that had an aftermarket stereo installed, and I wanted to restore the factory radio. After researching the topic I found that I could acquire the original radio model and slap it back in, but it would require unlocking of the anti-theft feature.
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I found a very nice, barely-used radio locally and purchased it from the original owner, who has a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer that she upgraded to a navigation system about a year after she bought it. The radio model is 15837848 (a newer replacement is now available with number 25998449, but that's what you'd want when ordering a new replacement).
I installed it, and when I turned on the ignition the radio display illuminated properly, I briefly heard the radio through the speakers, and then the expected 'LOCKED' message was displayed after the radio read in my truck's VIN number and it didn't match the original Trailblazer's VIN number. All good - exactly what the anti-theft feature is supposed to do. The chimes also started working as expected, because they depend on the radio (aftermarket stereo systems will eliminate the chimes unless you add a chime integration unit AFAIK).
Now understand that this is the newer anti-theft system that doesn't use codes like my 2002 Yukon has. This system reads the vehicle's VIN number and it must match what it has stored in memory or else it locks itself. This is a better system than the old system IMO because you can disconnect your battery without having to re-enter the code to get the radio working again after you re-connect power.
Now here's my problem. I took the truck down to Lone Star Chevrolet here in Houston because they quoted me 60.00 to unlock the radio, and they were the cheapest of the three dealers I called (ranging from 60.00 to 125.00). I waited for an hour. Then two hours. Then the SA (Jay) comes out and tells me the technician can't communicate with the radio because it must not be compatible. I called bull because it is the exact same radio model that came out of the truck according to GM Parts Giant based on my VIN number, and also the fact that the radio was ALREADY WORKING WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN - IT WAS JUST LOCKED! He said he would double-check which radio model IS compatible with my truck and let me know. He comes back with the exact same model I have installed. Confused by that, he disappears for another half hour and comes back with the new model number that replaces the original model. I called bull again because now I know he doesn't understand what he's doing. I also asked if they could contact a more knowledgeable expert to troubleshoot the issue, but he tells me ALL of his technicians are experts (remember this for later).
After this, he tells me there's nothing he can do except sell me a new radio for 485.00. So in frustration I tell him no, and he charges me 70.00 to get my truck back (there was an additional ~10.00 shop charge for some reason).
Wait - I'm not done yet. After losing my money for nothing, I get in the truck with my daughter to leave the service department, and she informs me that the radio is completely dead now. I was in disbelief. I asked her to pull out of the service department and circle back in because now I was angry.
Part 2: The service manager approaches me after noticing that I was just there earlier and was now back in line. He was very apologetic about my case and I was comforted knowing he wanted to resolve it. So at his urging I left the truck there and got a ride home so they could spend more time on it.
No luck. I later received the call informing me that they can't fix it. I said I would come back to get the truck, but I wanted to speak to the technician. Here's what the technician admitted to me (Jose): He attempted to reprogram the radio using the Tech II tool and the TIS/SPS site, and after initiating the flash he went on break. I asked if the reprogramming completed successfully. He replied that he assumed so because when he returned from break it was all done. I asked if he'd ever had to unlock a radio that was from another vehicle before. He said no (remember - ALL technicians are expert here).
So here's the facts from the technician: He flashed the radio, and he'd never unlocked a radio from another vehicle before. Does this sound like he knows what he's doing? Also - why did they tell me they couldn't communicate with the radio? I'll answer that since I do firmware development for a living: He bricked the radio when he attempted to re-program it. That's why it no longer powers up in my truck. But he had to communicate with it to re-program it, so they conveniently covered up that little detail.
Here's what I thought he was supposed to do with the Tech II tool based on answers from other techs online:
F0: Diagnostics
(vehicle year)
(body style)
(make)
(model)
F6: Body and Accessories
Entertainment
F5: Module Setup
F0: Radio
F0: VIN Relearn
The Tech 2 will ask you if you would like to erase the theft data: 'select yes'
That should have taken all of 2 minutes to complete. But now I'm stuck with a bricked radio and the dealership is taking no responsibility. What should I do? I feel like they owe me a radio due to incompetence of the tech who worked on and ruined it during the service.
Including: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC truck, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn
SAE J2534
For access to SAE J-2534 information go to the General Motors service information website www.acdelcotds.com. ACDelco TDS account login is required to view information.
Technicians must purchase a subscription the Techline Information System (TIS2Web) to gain access to service and programming information. TIS2Web is the web-based subscription service for GM vehicle calibrations, Global Diagnostic System software and Tech2 diagnostic software updates.
Additional information can be found in the GM User Guide (requires IE browser).
VIDEO: Reflashing demo of a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban (14 min)
Which models and model years of vehicles can be reprogrammed?
GM started service programming of Engine Controllers with some vehicles in the 1993 model year and ramped up to nearly 100% by the 1995 model year. The last engine controllers were for diesel engines used in medium duty trucks. All OBDII ECUs are programmable.
Body and chassis controllers were reprogrammable in some vehicles starting in the 1996 MY, and phased in the next few years.
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How does a technician determine whether a reprogramming event is needed for a particular vehicle?
To obtain the latest electronic controller calibration information for your vehicle, go to https://tis2web.service.gm.com/tis2web and enter the vehicle's 17 character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and select 'Get CAL ID’.
You can then compare the latest part number with the actual number installed on the vehicle to determine if a reprogram is needed.
If assistance is needed, call the TIS2Web helpline at 1-888-212-8959.
What OEM equipment is available to reprogram vehicles?
The Service Programming System (SPS) application is part of the TIS2Web system. To program an ECU, the SPS application must communicate with the vehicle control modules using the proper J2534 programming interface tool.
The following are the supported interface tools:
- Tech 2
- MDI
- J2534 Programming Interface Tool
The Tech 2 supports model years 1996 and beyond. With the addition of the CAN Diagnostic Interface (CANdi) module, Tech 2 is fully backward compatible with current Tech 2 functionality and operates transparently when diagnosing non-CAN-equipped vehicles.
Servicing the next generation Global A vehicles will require the diagnostic software, GDS2, Global Diagnostic System 2 running on a local PC device while the MDI is connected to the vehicle.
The GM MDI is the Global Diagnostic tool for future vehicles starting with Global A vehicles. The GM MDI was introduced in the fall of 2007 for Pass-Thru programming and offers faster programming speed. It can be used to perform Pass-Thru programming on all vehicles built since 1996 and into the future. Click here to view a list of GDS supported vehicles.
Additional information can be found in the GM User Guide (requires IE browser).
How does a technician obtain the Calibration?
Go to www.acdelcotds.com and purchase one of the TIS2Web subscriptions. Once you have access, you can navigate to the Techline Information System website (TIS2Web) and access the programming files under the Service Programming System (SPS) icon. The TIS2Web User Guide (requires IE browser) guide you through the service programming procedure.
Identify computer system requirements needed to support reprogramming.
Revised 10/29/2015