Match numbers to replace radio ?

[Lee4212]

2005 Impala.
Am-Fm-Cd-Cassette.
Do i need to match the numbers on the back of the original unit still in the car for security purposes ?
Cd player doesn't take cd's anymore so a good used one will work.
Plug and play...easy enough.
I've had the panel off before for something else so it's not a big deal to do it again to replace radio.
Thanks !!

 

[WyrTwister]

Would you be happy with a new aftermarket radio ?

 

[clinebarger]

No matter what used factory radio you install....It will lock. You need a Tech 2 to unlock it. There are probably other scan tools that can unlock them but I'm not familiar with them.

I unlock several radios a month for car lots, Implala's being the most common.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Its Hard to beat a good Delco for and over-all basic car Radio.

I have a Home stereo preamp based around an old Delco car radio preamp chip.

Still operates after 25 years and sounds very, very good.

CHASE RCL-1

 

[Trav]

Cline would know about the Impala specifically but some models require the Tech 2 and the donor car VIN number, make sure if your models requires this you get the VIN with the used radio.
The way it goes is with the Tech 2 you change your VIN to that of the donor car then divorce the radio then change the VIN back to your original and marry the radio to your car. No big deal really and with the Tech 2 easy but no VIN or no Tech 2 your screwed, its a brick.

 

[wag123]

Originally Posted by clinebarger
No matter what used factory radio you install....It will lock. You need a Tech 2 to unlock it. There are probably other scan tools that can unlock them but I'm not familiar with them.

I unlock several radios a month for car lots, Implala's being the most common.
This type of thing is ridiculous in this day and age. Nobody steels factory radios anymore. GM is the worst about this. Honda also drives me nuts with their security code thing.

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by Trav
Cline would know about the Impala specifically but some models require the Tech 2 and the donor car VIN number, make sure if your models requires this you get the VIN with the used radio.
The way it goes is with the Tech 2 you change your VIN to that of the donor car then divorce the radio then change the VIN back to your original and marry the radio to your car. No big deal really and with the Tech 2 easy but no VIN or no Tech 2 your screwed, its a brick.


You don't need the doner VIN for domestic GM passenger cars, GM GMT800 & GMT900 truck platforms require SPS to unlock the radio.

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by wag123
Originally Posted by clinebarger
No matter what used factory radio you install....It will lock. You need a Tech 2 to unlock it. There are probably other scan tools that can unlock them but I'm not familiar with them.

I unlock several radios a month for car lots, Implala's being the most common.
This type of thing is ridiculous in this day and age. Nobody steels factory radios anymore. GM is the worst about this. Honda also drives me nuts with their security code thing.


Honda radios lock just by disconnecting the battery, GM radios only lock when swapping them from a different vehicle. I'll admit that with the money I make off unlocking GM radios.....It doesn't bother me one bit

 

[Lee4212]

Just found this. It's a process it seems to unlock a radio.

https://www.gmpartsonline.net/blog/how-to-unlock-your-chevy-or-gmc-radio-without-paying-a-dime

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted by clinebarger
Originally Posted by Trav
Cline would know about the Impala specifically but some models require the Tech 2 and the donor car VIN number, make sure if your models requires this you get the VIN with the used radio.
The way it goes is with the Tech 2 you change your VIN to that of the donor car then divorce the radio then change the VIN back to your original and marry the radio to your car. No big deal really and with the Tech 2 easy but no VIN or no Tech 2 your screwed, its a brick.


You don't need the doner VIN for domestic GM passenger cars, GM GMT800 & GMT900 truck platforms require SPS to unlock the radio.


It must be only Saab and GM Europe that does this. I have MDI, Tech 2 and TIS2 with access so I think I have it covered for GM anyway, its been many years since I did a factory to another factory radio swap on a US domestic.

 

[4WD]

Yep … most of them in the attic were replaced by Pioneer etc …
I even used aftermarket to add a backup camera and navigation …