Unlock Delco radio

jrkupsky

Have a '91 Pontiac 6000, lost battery, radio locked, will not unlock. Have read owners manual,
radio listed in manual to show unlock sequence is different model than one in car. Have model number 16123342. Is top of line cass. radio that year with steering wheel control. Code will not change from "loc". Will not pay GM dealer $30 to unlock! Any advice will be appreciated

montanafan

Wes, I assume from your question that you did not set the code for the theftlock. Because the only way I have heard to unlock the radio is for a dealer to get a factory set code and call Delco to get an override code, I think you will have to go the dealer route. try different GM dealers to see if the some may charge less. Good Luck.

jrkupsky

Radio will not even allow us to get the factory set code, so we can't call Delco for the over ride code. A dealer had done it for the previous owner, but #1 they didn't write the code down for the original owners records, and #2 their service records on their system do not go back that far. I will not pay to unlock, because the cass. is shot, so it doesn't seem worth sticking $30 into just an AM/FM. Checked into other Delco OEM radios, but they also do not come unlocked. I will not buy a different Delco, until I am sure I can unlock it.

tboner1965

What is your time worth? If you make more than $30/hour at work, and I know my free time is even more valuable than my work time...

Life is too short to worry about $30. Just pay it and write the code down.

TB

montanafan

The theftlock codes have to be entered by the radio/cars owner. All radios came in the car when new without a code. I therefore assume you are talking about a used radio to buy. In that case only buy a radio if the seller gets it unlocked and the code removed. Be careful with what you buy for a used radio, make sure the connections on the back match and that it can work with steering wheel controls.

jrkupsky

I recieved this from the Pontiac Internet Response Center. I can help you with this matter,
however your local Pontiac Dealership is in the best position to assist you with this matter. If
this procedure is attempted too many times, the radio can lock internally, and the only way to
repair it at that time would be to purchase another radio.

What you need to do is retrieve from the radio, the 6 digit master reset code. Once you have this
code, you will need to contact one of your local dealers to have this number translated to a 4 digit
number. This number is the number you will need to key into your radio. Once it is in, you will be
able to enter a new personal code or turn the anti theft feature off.

First, the engine MUST be running for at least an hour. Then you will need to get the master reset
code from the memory of the radio. The procedure for doing this is as follows:

With the ignition on, engine running, press and hold your radio presets number 2 and 3. This will
bring up 3 numbers on your radio display. Write these down. Then press and hold the AM/FM button.
This will bring up three more. These 6 numbers are your master reset code. These are the numbers
that will need to be converted to a 4 digit code. Call the dealer service or parts department and
ask them to get the conversion for you.
ENTERING THE 4 DIGIT CODE

Once you have the 4 digit translation, you push and hold the hour button on the clock until it has
the first 2 numbers (ex: 12) and then push and hold the minute button till it has the last 2
numbers (ex: 33). As soon as the code is in the clock you press the am/fm button and turn the radio
on.

You can now use the following procedure to enter a new personal code or deactivate the anti theft
feature.Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK
_
is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio functions whenever battery power is
removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the radio is not protected by the feature. If
THEFTLOCK is activated, your radio will not operate if stolen. When THEFTLOCK is activated, the
radio will display LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery power is removed. If your
battery loses power for any reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code before it will
operate.
Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature The instructions which follow explain how to enter your
secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system. It is
recommended that you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure. NOTE: If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between any steps,
the radio automatically reverts to time and you must start the procedure over at Step 4.

1. Write down any three or four-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
3. Turn the radio off.
4. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until --- shows on the display. Next you will use the
secret code number which you have written down.
5. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
6. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
8. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show REP to let you know that you
need to repeat Steps 5 through 7 to confirm your
secret code.
9. Press AM-FM and this time the display will show
SEC to let you know that your radio is secure.
Note that with the ignition off, the THEFTLOCK LED
indicator will flash, indicating a secured radio.

Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a
Power Loss
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition on. LOC will appear on the display.
2. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
3. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
4. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
5. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show SEC, indicating the radio is
now operable and secure.
If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP will
appear on the display. You will have to wait an hour
with the ignition on before you can try again. When you
try again, you will only have three more chances (eight
tries per chance) to enter the correct code before
INOP appears.
If you lose or forget your code, contact your dealer.
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than
15 seconds between steps:
1. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until SEC shows on the display.
4. Press MIN and 000 will appear on the display.
5. Press MIN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
6. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show ---, indicating that the radio is no longer secured. If the code entered is
incorrect, SEC will appear on the display. The radio will remain secured until the correct code is
entered. When battery power is removed and later applied to a secured radio, the radio won't turn on
and LOC will appear on the display.

If all of this information is confusing, please contact your dealer for assistance. You will have to
take the vehicle in for these procedures to be performed, and there will be a charge for this to be
completed. Please also be aware that if too many mistakes are made, this could lock up the radio
internally, causing necessary replacement of the radio.

swschrad

holy carps! what a bucket of hooey. how about just pulling the radio, resetting it with a shotgun, and putting in something that doesn't require a prayer circle to turn on?