Can I reprogram theft lock on a new stereo for 2002 impala

My 2002 Impala has a stock tape deck in it, I want to pull it out and put in a stock CD player that a friend pulled out of a wrecked car. I read in an earlier post that these radios have the VIN programmed so they will lock themselves in a different vehicle. Dealer says he would charge $45 to unlock it for me, but has to come out of the same year and model or he doesn't know if it will work. Does this sound right?

Second, I have access to a pretty nice scan tool, is this something some of the better scan tools have the ability to do, or do you have to take it to a GM dealer? I need to make a decision to purchase this stereo before I can get to the scan tool to check it out, any advice here is appreciated!

The theft-lock feature is not enabled from the factory. It is something the owner has to enable manually and enter their own 4 digit code. If the code was part of the VIN #, any criminal could jot down the vin prior to jacking the radio, then unlock it for themself when they get it home. If you put power to the radio, and the amber LED in the corner is not on, then the theftlock has not ben enabled and you're good to go. If the radio is locked, then the dealer will have to unlock it for you.

The theft-lock feature is not enabled from the factory. It is something the owner has to enable manually and enter their own 4 digit code. If the code was part of the VIN #, any criminal could jot down the vin prior to jacking the radio, then unlock it for themself when they get it home. If you put power to the radio, and the amber LED in the corner is not on, then the theftlock has not ben enabled and you're good to go. If the radio is locked, then the dealer will have to unlock it for you.

richtazz - Thanks for the reply. The way I understand it (which I coule be off base but this is the way I understand it) is the 4 digit code only applies to model years older than 2000. After that they have a standard feature in them that the VIN is electronically programmed into the radio, and when that radio is fired in a different vehicle it is communicating with the computer so if the VIN doesn't match it gets locked, and you have to re-program the new VIN number into that unit. Mine is a 2002 so I believe it always has this theft protection active.

richtazz - Thanks for the reply. The way I understand it (which I coule be off base but this is the way I understand it) is the 4 digit code only applies to model years older than 2000. After that they have a standard feature in them that the VIN is electronically programmed into the radio, and when that radio is fired in a different vehicle it is communicating with the computer so if the VIN doesn't match it gets locked, and you have to re-program the new VIN number into that unit. Mine is a 2002 so I believe it always has this theft protection active.

Here is a quote from the FSM for a 2000 Buick LeSabre. So, the info probably applies to you.

DTC B1780 Theft Lock Enabled

Circuit Description
Each time the ignition cycles from OFF to ON, the radio receives VIN data over the class 2 communication circuit. If the VIN data stored in the radio memory matches the VIN data received over the class 2 communication circuit, the radio operates normally.

Conditions for Running the DTC
The ignition switch is turned from OFF to ON.


Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ignition switch is turned from OFF to ON.
Installing a radio from another vehicle or installing a new Dash Integration Module (DIM) and not entering the correct VIN information with the scan tool.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
The radio does not function. The radio also display LOC.


Conditions for Clearing the DTC

When installing a radio from another vehicle of the same platform, clear the VIN data using the scan tool.
Installing a new DIM, properly setup the DIM with the correct VIN for that vehicle.
The DTC status will turn to history when the above criteria is met. The scan tool can now clear the history DTC or it will clear automatically after 100 consecutive fault free ignition cycles.

The radio in my 2000 LeSabre just crapped out and I just ordered one that came out of a 2000 Buick Regal. I'm sure that it will display LOC and it requires a Tech2 scanner or equilvalent to clear out the old VIN. The radio then acts as a plug and play device which then will read the new VIN from the DIM and stores the VIN in the radio memory. I have a Tech2 scanner, so it shouldn't be any problem.

bheston...U are correct, the vin along with other required data will have to be relearned into the replacement radio using a hand held scanner. The Tech II is what is used and I'm not sure if any aftermarket units will work.

In addition U are also correct by saying many if not most of the late model GM radios are not interchangeable between models. Your model year was among the first phase of radios using the class II serial data stream for operation, so U should be fine swapping similar units IMO

I have a 2004 am/fm/cd radio/stereo from silverado. The clock would light up and the cd player would work mechanically but no radio, nothing . After many hours of searching and reading and thanks to a tip on this forum I was able to get the radio to play. Press volume , scan up right, and 5 . I got lights from radio system and was able to turn on radio./ cd player. Now the problem It seems to work fine for 5 minutes and then it all shuts down again. By pushing the above three things I can recycle another 5 minutes of operation. I would like to install this in a motor home and the dealer says they need it to be in a vehicle to use a tech2 scan tool to reset the vin code. Thanks for any help. According to the pin out , Pins 1A and 2A are the class2 A and Class 2B Data systems input ?. It has RUI (remote user interface)? 1 and 2 on pins 7 A and B and RUI REF OUT on pin 6A . Dale

SInce my revious post I have found the 9355093 EPROM , the only one on my board on the 2004 chevy silverado. I checked voltage and found 4 to 4.9 volts on 4 terminals on one side of the chip. 0 on all 4 terminals on the other side. I unsoldered the four with 0 volts as they were the easiest to get to. Radio worked with my previouse method but went out again. I unsoldered the other four terminals and removed the chip. Radio did not work and in a few seconds I heard popping sounds and then nothing worked including the clock. I was using some old 4 ohm speakers and had the heat sink off the side of the case so I am not sure what blowed. I guess the theftlock system beat me on this one. Dale