Dealer programming

schlegle1 · March 5, 2012

Hey guys quick question, I am looking at purchasing an OEM nav unit for my truck( and it's from a truck that's the same year as mine) but I was wondering what the dealer does to "reprogram" it my truck? Like do they have a special disc they put in it? Or do they have to hook it up to something to do it? And what does it usually cost to have them do so?

Any help would be great

Thanks!

508gm1 · March 5, 2012

What year is your truck? If it is 2007 or newer, I believe the dealer has to use the Tech 2 programmer to make it work. I had to have this done to mine as well. The radios are vin licked to each specific vehicle. You can install the radio before you take it in, but it will display locked until they re-program it. Re-programing is done through the OBD 2 port below the steering wheel.

Cheers, Brendan

dlstewart01 · March 5, 2012

Radios have to be programmed to vehicles 2003 and newer.

schlegle1 · March 5, 2012

ok mines a 2008 so if i install the radio and take it in they'll reprogram it for me? Any idea what this usually costs? and will my original radio still be functional if i ever decide to switch back?

Thanks again!

dlstewart01 · March 5, 2012

Dealers usually charge 1 hours labor, although it really does not take that long. I go to church with the service manager at the local GM dealer and he only charged me 1/2 hour labor. Thats about all it takes anyway. Sometimes not that long.

Yeah your orginal radio should work as it was already programmed to the VIN.

schlegle1 · March 6, 2012

Alright thanks man!

SparkySparks · March 6, 2012

I recently swapped in a USB radio and called around and the dealers all wanted $105 to do it. I called my normal dealership (didn't call them at first cause it is hour drive round trip) they said they would do it for free and it only took them about 15minutes. I felt it was well worth it to make the drive and gave me a chance to catch up with all the people I know at the dealership. I say definitely call around before taking it in.

schlegle1 · March 6, 2012

quick thought, I have a friend who owns a local auto repair business and they have a few of the computer tools for vehicles (the Mac Mentor, Snap-on Modis and a few other random ones) and i was wondering if any of these tools can reprogram the radios for our trucks? Just a thought

demps87 · March 6, 2012

Its probably worth a phone call to ask. However, i'm fairly sure anything that requires VIN programming has to be done with a GM scan tool. IE the tech 2.

schlegle1 · March 7, 2012

last question i swear lol: i was told that ill have to have a GPS antenna in order to use the navigation feature on the new head unit. Therefore i was going to buy the GPS antenna online but i was thinking about it and what is the antenna on the top of the truck for then? (the shark fin one) and finally if thats not a GPS antenna where is a good place to buy a cheap one online?

thanks again guys for all your help!

Eatstone · March 7, 2012

nope, there is a spot under the dash for it. If you look or search in the electronics section you find it, or Walt from adc mobile has a vid on his site I believe.

last question i swear lol: i was told that ill have to have a GPS antenna in order to use the navigation feature on the new head unit. Therefore i was going to buy the GPS antenna online but i was thinking about it and what is the antenna on the top of the truck for then? (the shark fin one) and finally if thats not a GPS antenna where is a good place to buy a cheap one online?

thanks again guys for all your help!