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Need help with radio LOC

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Old Mar 9, 2023 | 10:16 AM
  #1  
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Default Need help with radio LOC

Hi all,

New to the group. Just picked up a 98 C5 and having "LOC" displayed on radio after doing a 12V battery reset. Below I have placed the procedure I have found all over the interwebs to unlock but it seems the phone number included in the instructions is no longer valid. Any advice on the new process would be greatly appreciated!

Procedure:

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 620529 then # (pound). You will be asked to enter your four or six digit code followed by * (star) [IF THE "620529" doesn't work, try 206053, 202107, 106010 or 202108.]
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.
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Old Mar 9, 2023 | 10:26 AM
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Welcome new member C5 BlackBeaut !!!…we would love to see pics of your new ride…also please fill in your profile…year, mods, tune, location etc….

Last edited by C5 Diag; Mar 9, 2023 at 10:34 AM.
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Old Mar 9, 2023 | 01:02 PM
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Have you checked with a dealer? They my be able to get you an unlock code.

Larry
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Old Mar 9, 2023 | 01:16 PM
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I called them before I made this post.

They are telling me I need to bring the vehicle in so they can figure out the code. Told me it would be ~160$

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Old Mar 9, 2023 | 05:12 PM
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Where did you buy the car? If from a dealer, make them contact the original owner for the code. If bought from the owner, contact that person for the code. If still no code, look for someone selling the radio in the for sale area. I suspect it will be much less then $160 being charged by the dealer.
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Old Mar 9, 2023 | 07:38 PM
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Hey where are you in Michigan ? What Dealer? Depending where you are can recommend a few good techs who can help !
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Old Mar 10, 2023 | 12:12 AM
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Look like the code can be set with a Tech 2.

Larry
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Old Mar 10, 2023 | 11:24 AM
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Forgot:

https://blog.uobdii.com/how-to-unloc...-by-gm-tech-2/

Larry

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Old Mar 10, 2023 | 11:32 AM
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Thanks @LWSZ06

@DebRedZR1 Lake Orion, MI. Wally Edgar is the dealership.
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Old Mar 11, 2023 | 10:58 AM
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Hey checked around. They said if what LWS posted doesn’t work your best bet is the Dealership. Unfortunately $160 is typical charge. :/ Please keep us posted , hope you find a solution asap.
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Old Mar 11, 2023 | 11:33 AM
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If it's going to cost $160, I would just put that money toward a new upgrade head unit.

Larry
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Old Mar 28, 2023 | 09:11 AM
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Appreciate all of the help and responses!
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Old Mar 11, 2025 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by C5BlackBeaut
Hi all,

New to the group. Just picked up a 98 C5 and having "LOC" displayed on radio after doing a 12V battery reset. Below I have placed the procedure I have found all over the interwebs to unlock but it seems the phone number included in the instructions is no longer valid. Any advice on the new process would be greatly appreciated!

Procedure:

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 620529 then # (pound). You will be asked to enter your four or six digit code followed by * (star) [IF THE "620529" doesn't work, try 206053, 202107, 106010 or 202108.]
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.
C5 BlackBeaut - I used this to unlock my C5 radio yesterday and it worked like a charm. Thanks much...
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