gilldoht

So I just spent the past hour going through every page of threads in this sub forum trying to answer one question:

If you remove/cut power to the stock radio and then reconnect the SAME stereo, will it still lock you out?

I want to pull the HU out to mess with some stuff but I'm not paying $25 for the pleasure. The local dealer said that it has to be unlocked anytime you lose power (i.e. unplugged or even dead battery), and I find this hard to believe because that is a HUGE annoyance for anyone who has a dead battery. I understand them making you pay for unlocking a separate radio (even if I dont like it) but if I have to pay for my own radio I am going to be pissed.

Secondly: [Especially for you dealer guys out there]
What is the process for unlocking out stock stereo? If for example it does lock me out of my own radio, what is the process the DEALER has to go through to unlock it? What about if it is a separate radio? Is there more that must be programmed if it isn't the original radio?

ETA: It's an '06 LS with the base stereo (single cd w/o mp3 cd ability)

oneton

Not real sure but I have pulled my HU out and reinstalled and still worked
06 LS

urbexHHR

I know the HHR is probably different, but I've pulled out the radio in my Lumina numerous times, and that has the Theft-lock feature on it too...

But like I said, that doesn't really help since the HHR may be different. So why did I even bother to say this?

gilldoht

So you have removed power to it without issues? Which stereo is it?

This is good news!

Lucky

I have had the battery on my 08 removed from the car for two days and the radio came back to life with no problems. If I understand it correctly the radio only locks when a customer installs a code to lock it. if no code is installed system won't lock. When I worked for dodge dealer our radios only locked when it was installed into a car with a diffrent vin number then the radio was looking for.

masterchief1112

like every one said you will have no problem. i had mine out for a day and had no issues

Iceman

I did the same on my 06 Ls and 06 Lt no problems

hhrcrafty

I just can't figure out why they still put that silly theft-deterrent crap on the radio. It's not like they're worth that much on the used market anyway. With the way our stereo is physically designed, a thief would have to spend way more time with a screwdriver rather than go over to another car with a sleeve-mounted aftermarket unit. It just doesn't make much sense anymore.