Grand Prix Anti-Theft Radio Feature (Page 1/1)
fierofool JUL 26, 10:23 AM
Does anyone have the phone number and information to turn off the anti-theft feature in a 2000 Grand Prix radio? I have one for sale and I don't want the buyer to find that it won't work once it's installed. I'm not sure I turned it off. I've had the radio for a while.

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There are three kinds of men:

1. The ones that learn by reading.
2. The few who learn by observation.
3. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves. Will Rogers

Dennis LaGrua JUL 27, 10:18 AM
Newer GM radios when turned on will look for the VIN number of the car in the CAN code installed in the vehicle PCM.. If the VIN number doesn't register in the radio from the car that it was taken from, the radio goes into anti-theft mode. Tools like OBD Genie are available to reprogram GM radios but they will only work on a GM CAN system that sends out the VIN code signal..
Your 2000 GM radio may not be set up that way

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 07-27-2025).]

fierofool JUL 27, 01:13 PM
In past years I've turned it off in a half dozen or so radios of the same year era. I have one in each of my cars. The TheftLok feature does turn on when it doesn't recognize the Fiero PCM but it can be disabled.

There was a phone number one could call and it gave a process of entering information onto the screen and pushing buttons. Someone had posted the number and process on this forum at one time, but the phone number changes and has changed over the years. Once calling the phone number, you must enter a pin number to proceed.

At one time I had a friend who was a parts manager at a local Chevy dealer. He had given me the number and the pin number, but that dealership has long ago closed. The closest GM dealership wants an hours labor to do it. It only takes about 5 minutes.
Raydar JUL 27, 04:02 PM
If it's a late 80s or early 90s GM radio (or even later - I've got a 2001 GMC stereo in my Fiero), it doesn't look for a VIN. It's just got a pre-programmed code that must be entered - or disabled.
Now... that code may have been "constructed" based upon the VIN, but it couldn't care less what the VIN in the car is. It doesn't even have a way to search.

"VIN matching" didn't start until OBDII became the new thing. And it took a while after that for the radios to catch up.
fierofool JUL 27, 06:34 PM
In my search I did see a mention that the theftlock feature became associated with the VIN sometime around 2005 so I guess if the radio was moved to another vehicle, one might possibly have to swap PCM's too. Prior to that there was a method of turning the feature off. Some of the cars came with the feature turned off and the owner could turn it on if they wanted.
Dennis LaGrua JUL 27, 07:43 PM

quote
Originally posted by fierofool:

In my search I did see a mention that the theftlock feature became associated with the VIN sometime around 2005 so I guess if the radio was moved to another vehicle, one might possibly have to swap PCM's too. Prior to that there was a method of turning the feature off. Some of the cars came with the feature turned off and the owner could turn it on if they wanted.



For the later radios they must identify with the CAN bus and VIN there is a tool called OBDgenie can be used to reprogram the radio to accept the mew VIN no. Apparently your radio does not use that system. The procedure for the earlier 2000's radios is outlined here,
Unlocking GM radios.

Quite a few steps but the You Tube narrator got it working.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 07-28-2025).]

fierofool JUL 27, 09:41 PM
Looking at some of the things in Dennis's link, it appears that the VIN link started around 2003 to 2005. I know my radio is before that. I got all my radios from the Pull A Part yards.

I did a PFF search in archives and found this thread where Monkeyman provides a link that details the process. It's on the Grad Am Owner's forum. Pre-2001.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...090907-6-056060.html