Tech II / VIN Relearn for OEM factory radio

[slamkeys]

I just bought a 2006 Chevy Colorado for my daughter that had an aftermarket stereo installed, and I wanted to restore the factory radio. After researching the topic I found that I could acquire the original radio model and slap it back in, but it would require unlocking of the anti-theft feature.

 

I found a very nice, barely-used radio locally and purchased it from the original owner, who has a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer that she upgraded to a navigation system about a year after she bought it. The radio model is 15837848 (a newer replacement is now available with number 25998449, but that's what you'd want when ordering a new replacement).

 

I installed it, and when I turned on the ignition the radio display illuminated properly, I briefly heard the radio through the speakers, and then the expected "LOCKED" message was displayed after the radio read in my truck's VIN number and it didn't match the original Trailblazer's VIN number. All good - exactly what the anti-theft feature is supposed to do. The chimes also started working as expected, because they depend on the radio (aftermarket stereo systems will eliminate the chimes unless you add a chime integration unit AFAIK).

 

Now understand that this is the newer anti-theft system that doesn't use codes like my 2002 Yukon has. This system reads the vehicle's VIN number and it must match what it has stored in memory or else it locks itself. This is a better system than the old system IMO because you can disconnect your battery without having to re-enter the code to get the radio working again after you re-connect power.

 

Now here's my problem. I took the truck down to Lone Star Chevrolet here in Houston because they quoted me 60.00 to unlock the radio, and they were the cheapest of the three dealers I called (ranging from 60.00 to 125.00). I waited for an hour. Then two hours. Then the SA (Jay) comes out and tells me the technician can't communicate with the radio because it must not be compatible. I called bull because it is the exact same radio model that came out of the truck according to GM Parts Giant based on my VIN number, and also the fact that the radio was ALREADY WORKING WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN - IT WAS JUST LOCKED! He said he would double-check which radio model IS compatible with my truck and let me know. He comes back with the exact same model I have installed. Confused by that, he disappears for another half hour and comes back with the new model number that replaces the original model. I called bull again because now I know he doesn't understand what he's doing. I also asked if they could contact a more knowledgeable expert to troubleshoot the issue, but he tells me ALL of his technicians are experts (remember this for later).

 

After this, he tells me there's nothing he can do except sell me a new radio for 485.00. So in frustration I tell him no, and he charges me 70.00 to get my truck back (there was an additional ~10.00 shop charge for some reason).

 

Wait - I'm not done yet. After losing my money for nothing, I get in the truck with my daughter to leave the service department, and she informs me that the radio is completely dead now. I was in disbelief. I asked her to pull out of the service department and circle back in because now I was angry.

 

Part 2: The service manager approaches me after noticing that I was just there earlier and was now back in line. He was very apologetic about my case and I was comforted knowing he wanted to resolve it. So at his urging I left the truck there and got a ride home so they could spend more time on it.

 

No luck. I later received the call informing me that they can't fix it. I said I would come back to get the truck, but I wanted to speak to the technician. Here's what the technician admitted to me (Jose): He attempted to reprogram the radio using the Tech II tool and the TIS/SPS site, and after initiating the flash he went on break. I asked if the reprogramming completed successfully. He replied that he assumed so because when he returned from break it was all done. I asked if he'd ever had to unlock a radio that was from another vehicle before. He said no (remember - ALL technicians are expert here).

 

So here's the facts from the technician: He flashed the radio, and he'd never unlocked a radio from another vehicle before. Does this sound like he knows what he's doing? Also - why did they tell me they couldn't communicate with the radio? I'll answer that since I do firmware development for a living: He bricked the radio when he attempted to re-program it. That's why it no longer powers up in my truck. But he had to communicate with it to re-program it, so they conveniently covered up that little detail.

 

Here's what I thought he was supposed to do with the Tech II tool based on answers from other techs online:

 

F0: Diagnostics

 

(vehicle year)

 

(body style)

 

(make)

 

(model)

 

F6: Body and Accessories

 

Entertainment

 

F5: Module Setup

 

F0: Radio

 

F0: VIN Relearn

 

 

The Tech 2 will ask you if you would like to erase the theft data: "select yes"

 

 

That should have taken all of 2 minutes to complete. But now I'm stuck with a bricked radio and the dealership is taking no responsibility. What should I do? I feel like they owe me a radio due to incompetence of the tech who worked on and ruined it during the service.

[slamkeys]

My wife worked as a clerk at a Toyota dealership for years and the only thing they flagged there were angry customers who could potentially be surveyed by the parent company. You see, the service department loses its monthly bonus if too many respondents give a poor rating of the service department on the survey.

 

Her dealership had an internal scam going whereby the service manager would put an asterisk (*) on the back of the service tickets for customers he knew were dissatisfied, and then the clerks would change information such as the phone number or address of those customers in the database when they were closing out for the day so they could not be contacted. She said this was going on the entire time she worked there and was necessary because they tried to "upsell" almost every single job to make more profits, and that pissed off quite a few customers.

 

This Chevy dealership is #1 in Houston, and #2 in the state of Texas. They have been very cordial and forthright with me, and I have remained calm with them. However, GM needs to take responsibility for these kinds of issues because they are forcing us to go to the dealers to get this work done. $70.00 is too much to have a radio reset for an honest customer IMO. If it's that much of a problem to connect a digital tool and press a few buttons, then GM should get out of the radio business and forget about this stupid theft-lock feature once and for all. Who is going to steal a crappy factory radio anyway these days with all the high-end navigation systems floating around?

 

And I don't buy the argument that the technician was just following protocol. If there was a chance of the unit being damaged by his attempts to reprogram it, why wasn't I warned of the risk? They gave me no indication whatsoever that there would be issues with doing a VIN Relearn. And like I said - I asked the technician point blank if he had ever done this procedure before and his answer was a flat NO. He was obviously learning on the job.

[slamkeys]

I contacted the service manager yesterday and he put my concerns to rest. He assured me that he would get this taken care of ASAP. I got a call from the service adviser this morning informing me that they will indeed replace the radio with a new one, and take my broken one in trade (I guess to send it out to be repaired).

 

I'm still confused about the need to "reprogram" these units just because the security feature gets triggered. What exactly was the technician trying to reprogram? Isn't the VIN Relearn procedure all that is required in this case? I'm hoping someone who does this kind of work can shed some light on how exactly these radios get "reprogrammed" and for what reason. I tend to differentiate between flash updating a device and changing a configuration setting. Perhaps GM considers "reprogramming" a radio something less than a flash update.

[rerla]

i was reading up on this today, had some extra time today. (Dentist appointment) I got some official documents from GM. After reading those...

 

1.)Seems you either pulled that radio from something else other then another Colorado. (which after reading, can affect programming...which i think is believable)

 

2.)Either you got a bad radio, that had already been tampered with.

 

Also after reading more documents, the technician didn't "brick" your radio. (after reading, there is a counter, which is kinda what i was told about "internally locking" itself.) It has to cycle a ridiculous amount of key cycles for it to be able to see the LED light blink and the screen to show up again. I guess it's to further protect itself.

 

I'm sure the technician has unlocked a radio before. Seems like it's so easy, really after reading, All you do is connect a "MDI" and let the computer do all the programming.(everything with GM cars now is through programming, so the tech has to know what he is doing or else he wouldn't be there) Maybe he has never reprogrammed a radio that has been internally locked, (like in my case, and see like yours too, i mean if that guy in the link i posted before had several techs/managers/GM engineers not knowing what happened, whats the odds of a technician knowing this weird problem.)

 

I think you got really lucky with this dealership that they are offering free help (even thought clearly, they are not at fault here...i will try and post the links/text that will bluntly tell you that what the dealership and the technician did...is well protocol.. I'm sure the other dealer you would of gone to would of had the same problem, because there is only two ways of programming). (MDI or Tech2)

 

Oh well, exact same thing with my radio problem, they are going to send it off to "repair" i guess the manufacture has the ability to make the radio recognize the 240+ key cycles whatever it is at the factory and send it back. Should come back "zeroed" out and be able to reprogrammed normally. (if infact is the correct radio, that would suck for you to do all this and find out it will not work on your truck)

 

Lets see if the links work

 

Subject: Radio Theft Light Inoperative After Radio Replacement and Programming

 

Models: 2004-2007 Buick Rainier

 

 

 

2002-2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer models

 

 

 

2004-2008 Chevrolet Colorado Pick Up

 

 

 

2002-2008 GMC Envoy models

 

 

 

2004-2008 GMC Canyon Pick Up

 

 

 

2006 Hummer H3

 

 

 

2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada

 

 

 

2005-2008 Saab 97x

 

 

 

This PI was superseded to update model years. Please discard PIT3528B.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:

 

Some owners may comment that the red radio theft LED does not flash after replacing and programming the radio. This may be due to the "enable counter" internal to the radio not being reset to 0 counts from the exchange center.

<a href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/newsi/showDoc.do?docSyskey=2033638&from=sm#N65593">

Recommendation/Instructions:

 

During normal driving, the counter will count down to 0 after enough ignition cycles. If an owner is requesting the LED to operate immediately, the ignition key will need to by cycled up to 255 times on/off to clear the manufactures "enable counter". To count as a key cycle, the ignition must be left in the run and off positions for least 3 second each time. On then Off is considered to be 1 count.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

 

 

 

 

For step-by-step programming instructions, please refer to the techline information system (TIS) terminal.

Review the information below to ensure proper programming protocol.

Important:

 

• DO NOT program a control module unless you are directed by a service procedure or you are directed by a General Motors Corporation service bulletin. Programming a control module at any other time will not permanently correct a customers concern.

 

 

 

• It is essential that the Tech 2, MDI and the TIS terminal are all equipped with the latest software before performing service programming.

 

 

 

• Due to the time requirements of programming a controller, it is recommended that an external power source be used to maintain system voltage. Stable battery voltage is critical during programming. Any fluctuation, spiking, over voltage or loss of voltage will interrupt programming. To ensure trouble-free programming, GM recommends using one of the following external power sources:

 

 

 

 

- A Midtronics PSC charger

 

 

 

 

- A fully charged 12V jumper or booster pack disconnected from the AC voltage supply

 

 

 

• Some modules will require additional programming/setup events performed before or after programming.

 

 

 

• Some vehicles may require the use of a CANDi or MDI module for programming.

 

 

 

• Review the appropriate service information for these procedures.

 

 

 

• DTCs may set during programming. Clear DTCs after programming is complete.

 

 

 

• Clearing powertrain DTCs will set the Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) system status indicators to NO.

 

 

Ensure the following conditions are met before programming a control module:

 

• Vehicle system voltage:

 

 

 

 

- There is not a charging system concern. All charging system concerns must be repaired before programming a control module.

 

 

 

 

- Battery voltage is greater than 12 volts but less than 16 volts. The battery must be fully charged before programming the control module.

 

 

 

 

- Turn OFF or disable any system that may put a load on the vehicles battery, such as the following components:

 

 

 

• Twilight sentinel

 

 

 

• Interior lights

 

 

 

• Daytime running lights (DRL)—Applying the parking brake, on most vehicles, disables the DRL system

 

 

 

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems

 

 

 

• Engine cooling fans, radio, etc.

 

 

 

• The ignition switch must be in the proper position. SPS prompts you to turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. DO NOT change the position of the ignition switch during the programming procedure, unless instructed to do so.

 

 

 

• Make certain all tool connections are secure, including the following components and circuits:

 

 

 

 

- Tech 2

 

 

 

• The RS-232 communication cable port

 

 

 

• The connection at the data link connector (DLC)

 

 

 

• The voltage supply circuits

 

 

 

 

- MDI

 

 

 

• The USB, Ethernet or Wireless communication port

 

 

 

• The connection at the data link connector (DLC)

 

 

 

• DO NOT disturb the tool harnesses while programming. If an interruption occurs during the programming procedure, programming failure or control module damage may occur.

 

• DO NOT turn OFF the ignition if the programming procedure is interrupted or unsuccessful. Ensure that all control module and DLC connections are secure and the TIS terminal operating software is up to date. Attempt to reprogram the control module. If the control module cannot be programmed, replace the control module.

[rerla]

Good the links worked!!

 

So now you see, by GM themselves, the technician and the dealership did what they are suppose to do. Actually, now they went way beyond what they should be doing. (just don't let the managers know about links...cause they probably will be like "see our technician didn't do nothing wrong...take your truck and get out of here!!" lol. Let them think he messed something up and "fix" your radio.

 

After you get your truck back, after checking that it works. You should talk to the same technician tell him about these GM documents (that way he knows what happened) and drive off peeling out !! o wait...it's a colorado...lol can't spin the tires.

[Jsdirt]

^^^ My brotha from anotha mutha.

 

People wonder why we do everything in our power to AVOID the dealer. I've had it with all the BS involved in these new vehicles. Last time I brought mine to the dealer for warranty work (pulsating brakes ... with 50 ... YES FIFTY ... miles on it) the lot tech thought he was driving a Volt, & dragged the whole passenger side of the box across the garage door!! After I called asking why it's taking over a day to fix a simple brake problem, the gave me the great news. Then they give it back to me ... looking like an 8 year old buffed it out. Needed 3D glasses to look at it in the sun!! WTF ....

 

You'd think for $40 + grand GM would at least cut us a break, & make a few simple, easy to diagnose systems ... or maybe ones that acutally lasted a year or more ...

 

If I can't figure a system out, it gets bypassed. If too many systems fail, it goes on ebay piece by piece. I'm done with this crap - why deal with it? I'll pick up a nice rust free 40 year old car from down south or out west. Problems solved, cheap insurance, cheap taxes, cheap purchase with ZERO payments. If it breaks down, I fix it on the side of the road with pliers and a flat head screwdriver. It's a win-win.

 

You guys have WAY more patience than I have. I'd have fixed that radio with the 12 gauge ....