radio quit working
 

a radio from a salvage yard HHR and replace it with the one that won't work. Hearing it won't work cause of the vin. number. Any truth to this?

Vin needs to be set up at dealer with their scan tool

Yes.

You might be better off with an aftermarket head unit. Crutchfield is a good place to start looking.

Sounds to me like he already bought a used one from the junkyard. The dealer charges 40-50 bucks or so to link it to the car. That's less than buying an aftermarket unit on top of having already bought a junkyard unit that they likely won't take back.

I don't know for sure, but the matching might be able to be done with a scantool (not code reader). I don't think any firmware needs updating, just needs to be told the serial number.

Yeah, many shops do have those now. A buddy of mine who has a shop here in town has a scan tool (not a tech 2) that can pair keys, radios, etc. to most vehicles. From what he says, it would be a little pricey for home/personal use though not as bad as a Tech 2

Now it seems the only "need" for a tech2 is for firmware updates from TIS2WEB.

No, it's not.

Plenty of aftermarket units for less than $50 that will do what the stock unit does, and more.

So......paying for an aftermarket unit and the necessary harness/etc. as well as having purchased a used one from the junkyard would total less than 50 dollars? I've got to get caught up with the new math...........