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For 1990-2009 cars only

Radio Displays LOCKED After SPS Programming

Subject:Radio Displays "LOCKED" After SPS Programming

Models:2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, ESV, EXT
2007-2009 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
2007-2009 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali XL
2008-2009 Hummer H2



This PI was superseded tp update model years and text. Please discard PIT4007C.


The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:

Some technicians may find that after SPS programming a replacement radio the display will show "LOCKED" or "THEFT LOCK". The radio theft deterrent system disables radio functionality if the VIN information sent by the BCM does not match the vehicle VIN information contained in the radio. The radio compares its learned VIN information to the VIN learned in the BCM via GMLAN. If a radio is replaced or swapped from another vehicle the radio will need to relearn the VIN information before it will function. The radio learns the VIN information during the SPS programming event.

Recommendation/Instructions:

Currently, some SPS programming events will NOT successfully learn the vehicles VIN information in the radio. Engineering is aware of this and working on a correction, however the following steps can be performed to resolve this condition if SPS programming does not unlock the radio:

  1. Perform the radio setup in SI (Document ID# 1745049) as well as,
  2. v
  3. • F0: Diagnostics
    • 2006
    • Passenger Car
    • (1) Chevrolet
    • W
    • WN Monte Carlo LTZ
    • F6: Body and Accessories
    • Entertainment
    • F5: Module Setup
    • F0: Radio
    • F0: VIN Relearn
  4. When prompted to erase the theft data: "select yes"
  5. Shut the key off for 60 seconds and remove the Tech 2 from the vehicle.
  6. After sixty seconds has elapsed, the VIN should relearn upon start up.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.