Unlock Your Locked GM Theftlock Radio
If you have a late 1990s or early 2000s General Motors (GM) vehicle from Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, or Pontiac, your vehicle's factory radio will "lock up" if the vehicle's battery is disconnected. You will need to enter a code into the radio in order to get it to play again once you reconnect your vehicle's battery. Most dealers will charge you a lot of money just to get the code for you. It's possible to get the code for free and be able to start listening to the radio again in just a few minutes!
Steps
- After reconnecting your vehicle's battery, turn on your vehicle as normal.
- The display on the radio will read, "LOC" or "LOCKED" meaning the Theftlock feature is active, and your vehicle's radio is "locked up".
- Grab a notepad. Press and hold the 1 and 2 preset buttons for about 5-10 seconds until 3 numbers appear on the radio's display. Write these numbers down. These are the first 3 digits of your vehicle's radio's identification code.
- After writing down the first 3 numbers of your vehicle's radio's identification code, immediately press the AM/FM button and you will see 3 more numbers appear on the radio's display. These are the last 3 digits of your vehicle's radios identification code. Write these numbers down.
- From any phone, dial #800#-537-5140. This is an automated line, so there is no need to talk to a live person.
- After the automated voice asks you to press 2 for Pontiac, enter 206010 and press the # key.
- Enter the 6 numbers for your vehicle's radio's identification number that you just wrote down and press the * key.
- The automated voice will give you a 4 digit code that you will be entering into your vehicle's radio. Write this number down and hang up after you do.
- Once you are back in your vehicle, press the hour clock button to control the first 2 digits of the radio unlock code. Once the number you want is entered, press the minute clock button to control the last 2 digits of the radio unlock code.
- Once both sets of numbers for the radio unlock code are entered, press the AM/FM button on your vehicle's radio.
- The radio's display should now read, "SEC", meaning that you've successfully unlocked your vehicles radio. Turn on your vehicle's radio as normal and the radio should once again start playing. #:
Tips
- More recent dealer codes can be found on the Internet. Just type "GM Dealer Code" into Google and get a random dealer code.
- Don't worry if you don't enter the correct radio code at first, it may take a few tries.
Things You'll Need
- Notepad and Pen
- Phone (Cell or Landline)
