GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 1999 🢒 SL2/SC2/SW2 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Entertainment 🢒 Theft Deterrent Feature - Radio/Audio

Theft Deterrent System

The AM/FM stereo cassette or indash CD with graphic equalizer is equipped with a programmable theft deterrent system intended to discourage theft by causing the radio to become inoperable.

Radio Operating States

The theft deterrent system causes 3 main radio operating states: vulnerable, secure, and locked. The radio operating state, the operating state definition, the cause of each operating state, and the radio display are listed in the chart below.

Radio Operating State

Operating State Definition

Cause of Operating State

Radio Display

VULNERABLE

The theft deterrent system is not activated, and does not function.
    • If the radio is new or remanufactured
    • If the radio has been "unsecured" or "deactivated"

_ _ _ _

SECURE

The theft deterrent system has been activated, and is functioning.
    • If the radio has been "activated" with a 4-digit code
    • If the radio has been "unlocked"

SEC

LOCKED

The theft deterrent system was in the SECURE mode, and now all non-security related functions are disabled.

If the radio was "secured" or "activated" and:

    • If the radio has been removed from the vehicle, or
    • If the battery has been disconnected, or
    • If the 10 Amp CHIME fuse has been removed or opened, or
    • If power has been interrupted to the radio

LOC

Vulnerable ("_ _ _ _") System Activation

The AM/FM stereo cassette or indash CD with graphic equalizer will be in the vulnerable state if the radio is new, remanufactured, or if the theft deterrent feature has been unsecured or deactivated. To activate the theft deterrent feature, the following steps need to be followed:

  1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
  2. Turn the radio power OFF.
  3. Press and hold preset buttons 5 and 6, at the same time, for 5 seconds. The radio display will show "- - - -".
  4. Have the customer select a 4-digit code. Suggest a number that is familiar to them such as the beginning of their phone number, their birth date, or their address.
  5. Press SEEK DOWN, SEEK UP, TUNE DOWN, or TUNE UP. The radio display should show 0000.
  6. PRESS SEEK DOWN to set the first digit.
  7. Press SEEK UP to set the second digit.
  8. Press TUNE DOWN to set the third digit.
  9. Press TUNE UP to set the fourth digit.
  10. Press AM/FM to store the code.
  11. For verification, the radio will display REP (Repeat).
  12. Repeat steps 6-10.
  13. If the code was re-entered correctly, the radio will display SEC (SECURE). The theft deterrent system for the radio is now active. If the code was entered incorrectly, the radio will display Err for 5 seconds and the "_ _ _ _" (VULNERABLE) will be displayed again. If "_ _ _ _" is displayed, repeat 5-12.

Secure ("SEC") System Deactivation
  1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
  2. Turn the radio power OFF.
  3. Press and hold preset buttons 5 and 6, at the same time, for 5 seconds. The radio display will show SEC.
  4. Press SEEK DOWN, SEEK UP, TUNE DOWN, or TUNE UP. The radio display should show 0000.
  5. PRESS SEEK DOWN to set the first digit.
  6. Press SEEK UP to set the second digit.
  7. Press TUNE DOWN to set the third digit.
  8. Press TUNE UP to set the fourth digit.
  9. If the code was entered correctly, the radio will display "_ _ _ _" (VULNERABLE). The theft deterrent system for the radio is now deactivated. If the code was entered incorrectly, the radio will display Err for 5 seconds and the SEC (SECURE) will be displayed again. If SEC is displayed, repeat 3-8.

Unlocking a Locked ("LOC") System Using a Known Code
  1. Press SEEK DOWN, SEEK UP, TUNE DOWN, or TUNE UP. The radio display should show 0000.
  2. PRESS SEEK DOWN to set the first digit.
  3. Press SEEK UP to set the second digit.
  4. Press TUNE DOWN to set the third digit.
  5. Press TUNE UP to set the fourth digit.
  6. If the code was entered correctly, the radio will display SEC (SECURE). The theft deterrent system for the radio is now active and normal operation may be resumed. If the code was entered incorrectly, the radio will display Err for 5 seconds and the LOC (LOCKED) will be displayed again. If LOC is displayed, repeat 1-6.
  7. If the correct code is not entered in 8 attempts, follow the next steps:
    8. 7.1. Turn ignition to ACC position.
    7.2. Turn radio power switch OFF.
    7.3. Wait one hour before repeating steps 1 through 7. If attempts to unlock the system are made before the one hour period is up, the radio will display INOP (INOPERATIVE). Continue to wait. If the ignition is not in the ACC position, power will never reset internally to allow itself to be unlocked.
    7.4. After one hour, repeat steps 1-7.

Unlocking a Locked ("LOC") System Using Factory Code - To Be Used Only If a Customer Code Is Unknown
  1. Turn the ignition key to RUN.
  2. Turn the radio power OFF.
  3. Press and hold preset buttons 2 and 3 together until a 4 digit number appears on the radio display.
  4. Record the number.
  5. Call 1-800-537-5140 or 1-317-451-8965 (USA and Canada), using a touch tone telephone.
  6. After the computer prompt, enter your retailer code in the following manner.

    7. Press "8", then press your account number, and the press "*."

  7. When advised, enter the four digit radio display code obtained in step 4, then press "*." The computer will respond with the factory unlock code; record this number.
  8. To unlock the radio, follow the steps for Unlocking a Locked (LOC) System Using a Known Code. Use the factory unlock code as the known code.

"Err9"

If any tampering is detected by the radio, the radio will display Err9, and the radio will be permanently locked. If the display cannot be cleared by removing and reconnecting all power, the radio must be returned to an authorized repair center for service.