Problems buying used radio?

[mshipon]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=

I have a 2000 SSEi. This radio came from a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. It looks like an exact replacement. How would I deal with the theft lock? Will it go in with out any monkeying around?

Thanks,

Martin

[petraman]

I *think* if you have the Monsoon system, you might have to get the Monsoon radio. Anyways, if you did want to replace it, you'll have to either go to a dealer or find someone with a tech II to reset it. If you have a relationship with a GM dealer, they'll probably do it for free...

[zamjohn]

From what I've been told by dealer and what owner's manual says is these radios are keyed into the serial no. of the original car it came out of and will not work unless you get code from GM to change....as far as installing its easy. Just remove bezel around radio & heater etc. then using thumb and finger unlock black plastic locks on either side of radio and pull radio out. Electrical is all one longer PC board type plug that unplugs as you remove radio. Removed mine numerous times.

[petraman]

Yes, they do have the VIN encoded into the deck, but that doesn't mean you can reflash the VIN with your own. As I said, this can be done with a tech II or at a dealer, you just have to be pretty specific about what you want to do.

[RJGill84]

GM dealer did this for me for free, and it was no issue at all. While you're there, have them customize the names for Driver 1 & 2

[Karl]

Careful.... I brought the dealer the list of 11 steps it takes to change the vin in the radio and an hour later and $80 they said "Huh, it did have the old vin in it...."

There's a reason why we call them a stealership....