Is there anyway to get the radio unlock code BEFORE a problem arises?

 

01. Turn the ignition ON (The radio displays LOC)
02. Hold down the Radio Presets 2 and 3 buttons for six seconds
03. The radio display changes from LOC to a three-digit number. Write this number down. Don't take forever, fifteen seconds max before the next step.
04.Press the AM/FM button
05. The radio display changes to another three-digit
number. Write this number to the right of the first one.
06. You now have a six-digit number, the first three digits are from STEP 03 and the last three digits are form STEP 05
07. Call 1 800 537 5140
08. Press 1 then # (pound). You'll hear "Invalid Code, try again"
09. Press 139010 then # (pound). You will be asked to enter your four or six digit code followed by * (start)
10.Enter the number from STEP 6 then * (star)
11. Listen to the four-digit number and write it down. It will be repeated twice
12. Turn the ignition ON (The radio displays LOC)
13. Use the MN and HR buttons to enter the code from STEP 11
14. Press the AM/FM button. The radio display changes to SEC

Your radio is now "un-locked" and usable. The Theft-Deterrent feature is
STILL active! If you want to disable it, use the instruction on page 3-27 in your Y2K Owner's manual. Use the code from STEP 11 instead of your personal
code.

Note: This tip originated from LOTZAHP, Austin TX (credit must be given
where credit is due).

 

if no one has entered a code u can put in your own code to unlock the radio when u have a power loss it tells u how in your onwers manual just remeber your code that u install.

 

This is after it is locked up I want to find the code BEFORE it locks up.

 

I am not near the car. Is there a way to tell if there is a code set?

 

There is no code, follow the directions in the manual, you pick the code the first time. If the little red light is not flashing on the radio when you shut the car off, then the theft loc is not on.

 

Those instructions are close but not entirely accurate. Step 8 is not necessary. Step 13 and 14 need to be repeated if you want to totally disable Theftlock. I've never used that particular dealer code but there are lots of dealer codes, obviously, so I'm assuming it works...

As screw991le indicated, if your little red light isn't flashing, Theftlock isn't activated on your radio. They came from the factory deactivated. It was up to the vehicle owner to activate it if he/she so desired. The percentage of radios that actually had the system activated is VERY small. (Less than 5% in my experience.) And I say, why bother? These unlock instructions are all over the internet. If you can find them, any thief can too. Besides, what do you care if your radio was locked or not when it was stolen? Either way it's gone...........

If Theftlock is activated, there are actually two codes that will unlock the radio. 1) The code that the activator assigned and 2) the GM-assigned code for that radio. The code you get after following the procedure above (the one you get over the phone) is the GM-assigned code. It will always work, regardless of whether you assign (and/or forget) your own code or not.

The above procedures only work if Theftlock is activated, yes. You won't be able to retrieve a code from the radio by pressing 2 and 3 if no one has activated it.

If you want to find out what the GM-assigned unlock code is for your radio (although I'm not sure why you would need this if Theftlock isn't even activated), follow the procedures in the owner's manual for activating Theftlock. Then, when you are removing the radio, simply put the plug back in after unplugging it and you should find that it's locked as a result of loss of power. Then simply follow the procedures above. Just have your cell or cordless phone in the car when you're removing it. Only adds a couple minutes to your process...

Of course, this all refers to the old Theftlock system. The new system is different in that the VIN is assigned to the radio. There is constant communication between the radio and the car's computer. If the VINs don't match, the radio locks and it can't be unlocked by the owner. Only a dealer (or a garage with a Tech 2) can unlock it. They do so by reassigning your VIN to the radio with the Tech 2 device. (Of course, some dealerships may ask you for the VIN of the vehicle the radio came from for further theft-prevention purposes but, technically, that's not required.)

Hope this helps...

 

There is a red LED on radio front. if a password was not set then the LED would not blink when car is off.
If no password set then losing power radio would operate just fine when power is back on.
GM default password when one has not been set I think is like 1111
If not worried about radio being ripped off then set no password and never have a locked condition worry

 

Nothing like having your question answered three times just to be safe...