I bought a 2008 very low mileage Grand Prix (38K miles) that has an aftermarket stereo system with a boombox bass speaker in the trunk. I like the OEM CD/radio combo so much more than the $99.95 Alpine the PO installed.
Looking on the internet, I saw that I have a few options if I buy an OEM radio and install it. I can buy it and have the dealer "reprogram" it so I can use it. In reality all they do is over ride the existing VIN# in the radio's EEPROM.
My second option is to remove or unsolder the Vcc (12V) pin on the EEPROM but some odd things happen if I do that such as losing presets.
Third option is to remove EEPROM, use a PICkit, read the EEPROM, determine what the lockout code is and change it with Pickit and reinstall the EEPROM.
Am I making this harder than it is? Are there other options for unlocking these radios?
I htink the original installation was a slash job because a lot of things associated with the radio such as the ding dong dingy ringy thingy doesn't warn me about anything. Also, the existing radio's presets are gone when you turn it on. The radio reception is not good--in short, I'd be better off with a 1975 Chevy truck radio than the Alpine.
Oh, forgot--How are these boom-box-in-the-trunk powered and signals usually fed to them? With a wire or wires under the carpeting?
Has anyone any suggestions and/or experience with these OEM radios?
Edit: I can't find anything other than a color code chart online for the 2008 Grand Prix radio. I work much better with schematics--anyone know where I can find one?
TIA
[This message has been edited by starlightcoupe (edited 10-28-2013).]