Have you purchased a GM radio, similar to the one pictured, that is VIN locked to another vehicle and experienced sticker shock when the GM dealer told you how much it costs to unlock it for your vehicle? If so, you've come to the right place. Simply send it to us and you'll get it back with the previous VIN removed. Yes, return shipping is included in the price. If your GM radio doesn't look like the one pictured, send us an email with your year and model vehicle. We'll tell you if we offer a VIN clear service for yours.
We've got sophisticated, proprietary equipment which allows us to clear the VIN in your radio. That means you can pop it in your vehicle without it locking after we're done. As long a you don't have the BOSE sound system, and the donor vehicle didn't either, no dealer programming will be required, which should save you $100 or more. (If both the donor and your vehicle have BOSE, you *might* be able to use it without dealer programming but we cannot guarantee it.)
Once you make sure your vehicle is on the APPLICATIONS list that appears in the next section, see the INSTRUCTIONS section below that for ordering and shipment details. Turn-around time is typically 3 days or less.
This is not a rebuilding or repair service for your radio. All we're doing is unlocking it. We don't have to open your radio up to clear the VIN, so we don't touch any of the internal components. The radio is merely connected to the test equipment on our bench. Should we notice there are functional problems with your radio, they are completely outside our control. We offer many GM repairs and can usually give you options for repairing the problem but it is not included in the VIN clear process. We usually offer a discount on additional repairs though, since the radio is already here. You should use the testing procedures that follow to determine if the radio might have some problems. Please note, however, it is possible for problems to arise in shipping too. We often get radios that have not been packaged well for the trip. Even if they have, it's not unheard of for filaments to break in bulbs or CD drives to get locked up because of particularly nasty jolts. Again, we have no control over it. That is one risk of sending a radio off to be VIN cleared rather than paying your dealer 3-4 times to do it as part of their programming process.
Most GM radios of this vintage can usually be tested for a short period of time, even if there is another VIN in them. To do this, turn the key to the ‘ACC’ position after installing the radio. You should then be able to test the critical functions (CD, cassette, radio reception, etc). Do NOT turn the key to any other position before completing the test. The other positions force communication with the computer and lock the radio. If you should accidentally turn it to another position, you can usually unlock the radio by unplugging it and letting it sit for about 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
APPLICATIONS
This service is for locked factory CD, CD/Cass, CD6, and Navigation radios in the following vehicles:
- Buick Rainier: 2002-2007
- Cadillac Escalade (including EXT & ESV): 2003-2006
- Chevrolet Avalanche: 2003-2006
- Chevrolet Blazer (S10): 2002*-2005
- Chevrolet Cavalier: 2003-2005
- Chevrolet Colorado: 2004-2012
- Chevrolet Express Van: 2000-2007
- Chevrolet Impala: 2000-2005
- Chevrolet Malibu: 2000-2003
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo: 2000-2005
- Chevrolet S10: 2002*-2004
- Chevrolet Silverado: 2003-2006
- Chevrolet Silverado Classic: 2007
- Chevrolet SSR: 2003-2006
- Chevrolet Suburban: 2003-2006
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 2003-2006
- Chevrolet Trailblazer: 2002*-2009
- Chevrolet Venture: 2000-2005
- GMC Canyon: 2004-2012
- GMC Envoy: 2002*-2009
- GMC Jimmy: 2002*-2004
- GMC S15: 2002*-2004
- GMC Savana Van: 2000-2007
- GMC Sierra: 2003-2006
- GMC Sierra Classic: 2007
- GMC Sonoma: 2002*-2004
- GMC Yukon (including Denali and XL): 2003-2006
- Hummer H2: 2003-2007
- Isuzu Ascender: 2002-2008
- Oldsmobile Silhouette: 2000-2005
*Some 2002 vehicles still had the older style of radio. Make sure yours looks similar to the one pictured in this listing.
INSTRUCTIONS
You will purchase the repair from this listing first. Then you will send your radio AND a copy of the payment confirmation email OR the Order Process email to:
Replacement Radios
Attn: Repairs
2301 S. Banker St, Ste B
Effingham, IL 62401
Please purchase delivery confirmation if you use USPS. (Tracking is included with UPS and Fedex.) Our techs do not answer inquiries, so questions about receipt of your package or estimated completion date will NOT be answered. Your tracking number shows when we received the package. The repair turn-around time is indicated above. You will receive a tracking number when it ships back out. If there is a problem or unexpected delay, we will contact you. Calling or emailing us about progress only serves to
slow down progress. We know it's tough to go without a radio for a week or more but please be patient. Factory service centers take 3+ weeks to perform repairs, so we're clearly exceeding the standard.
Make sure there is no media in the radio before you ship it. The risk of shipping damage to CD and cassette drives goes up if there is media left in it. Your radio can be tested for a short period of time by following the instructions above, found in
italics. You can remove any media in the radio during that process.
Use common sense!! Please do not send your package without the requested paperwork or, at the very least, a note that indicates your Order Number. Between inventory, repairs, and returns, we get hundreds of items every week.
Packages that show up without any documentation WILL experience a significant delay in processing.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Some radios display a CAL ERR message on the screen for a few seconds upon starting the vehicle, after they have been VIN cleared. This message usually goes away after approximately 50 key cycles. Even if it does not go away, it is nothing to be alarmed about and, as mentioned, it disappears after a few seconds.
BOSE equipped vehicles have radios that are programmed for lower sound output. (Then the BOSE amp boosts the level back up.) So, if your vehicle does not have BOSE but the donor vehicle did (or vice-versa - yours does but the donor did not), GM programming will be required. (Specifically, the speaker package programming.)
