How do you unlock radio?

[silvereagle07]

I need to know how to unlock radio on a 2001 tahoe. I took the battery cable off and radio is locked. Any suggestions?

[clinebarger]

Here you go.






Unlock procedure with the code.

IMPORTANT: Read all steps before starting the procedure.

If more than 15 seconds elapse between any of the steps, the radio automatically reverts to time and you must start the procedure over from step 4.

In order to unlock the Theftlock(TM) system after a power loss, perform the following steps:


1. Write down the users code.
2. Turn the ignition to the RUN position.
3. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.
4. Press and hold MN until the last two digits agree with the code.
5. Press and hold HR until the first one or two digits agree with the code.
6. Press the AM/FM push button after you have confirmed that the code matches the one you wrote down. If REP appears on the display, repeat steps 3 through 6.
7. SEC will appear on the display, the radio is now operable and secured.
If the wrong code is entered more than eight times, INOP will appear on the display.

Wait 1 hour before attempting to unlock the radio again.

This time only 3 attempts will be allowed before INOP appears on the display.

If this happens you must wait 1 hour before attempting to unlock the radio again.





Unlock procedure without the code.

IMPORTANT: Starting in 1995, a factory back-up code can be used to erase the original code if it is unknown.

Have account number ready to enter when asked. Account number is your 5 digit dealer code followed by one of these numbers:


Chevrolet - 1
Pontiac -2
Oldsmobile -3
Buick - 4
GMT - 5
Cadillac - 6
GM Canada - 7
Saturn - 8
Read all steps before starting the procedure. If more than 15 seconds elapse between any of the steps, the radio automatically reverts to time and you must start the procedure over from step 1. In order to unlock the Theftlock(TM) system when code is unknown, perform the following steps:


1. Press and hold push buttons 2 and 3 until a three digit code appears on the display.
2. Write the three digit code on a piece of paper.
3. Press the AM/FM push button, a three digit code will appear on the display again.
4. Write the three digit code on a piece of paper.
5. Call Delco Electronics at 1 - 800 - 537 - 5140.
6. Follow the computer prompts to obtain the back-up code to be used in place of unknown code.
7. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.
8. Press and hold MN until the last two digits agree with the back-up code.
9. Press and hold HR until the first one or two digits agree with the back-up code.
10.Press the AM/FM push button after you have confirmed that the code matches the one you wrote down. If REP appears on the display, repeat steps 7 through 10.
11.The display will show "- - -"to indicate unknown code has been removed.
If the back-up code does not unlock the radio, try reversing the first and last three digits of the display code.

If this is unsuccessful, call Delco Electronics to obtain a new factory back-up code.

[fiddy9apache]

thats odd ive never had to do that

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by fiddy9apache

thats odd ive never had to do that

If a code was never put into the radio by a dealer or owner it will be unlocked no matter if power was cut. But if somone inserts a code it activates the Theftlock.

[silvereagle07]

Thanks clinebager, I followed the steps and unlocked the radio. Thanks again.

[clinebarger]

No problem