I just purchased a factory cd player from a salvage yard, and put it into my 2000 sunfire, and I can turn the key on, and then turn it off, and then plug in the cd player, and it will work, until the key is turned on, then it immediatly says "locked" and the theftlock led lights up. I have seen that you have do the holding down presets 1&2, but that doesnt work. any advice? thanks

Hi,if you have the original factory manual for your car (owners manual) look it up,probably you will have to take the car to the dealer to get the correct code to unlock it.

I have the owners manual, and it has nothing in it, I called the dealer, and they wanted me to take it in. I have seen soo many people fix this problem, i was just wondering how I could do it.

If you have an honest and reasonable dealer in the area they'll unlock the stereo for free and might even give you the code. It isn't that big of a deal. You may have to show a receipt to prove you bought a new replacement stereo or the dealer may just do it anyway.

I've had to have the stereo in my Silverado unlocked a couple times now. The first time I tried to take it in the dealer told me they had to take the stereo out and verify the serial number with the VIN and all that crap. Technically the rep was probably correct but the only thing the service dept would have done is spend three minutes to unlock it then let it sit while I get charged whatever hourly rate to have all of this "work" done. I tried a second dealer and they unlocked it in just a few minutes, gave me the code and I was on my way.

The second time I had it unlocked was because I lost the code.

Well, the problem is that there isnt a dealer very close by. I was wondering if there was anyway of doing this by myself, I am pretty inclined with stereos, but just have never messed with theftlock before, if all else fails, I will just get on ebay, and buy one that is unlocked. but if anyone knows how I can do this, PLEASE let me know. Thanks!

The problem is that when battery power is removed it locks itself, so buying one off Ebay might not help your situation. It's supposed to be an anti theft feature. There is an automated 1-800 number that GM has. If you can find a dealer code number online somewhere then you can pull the number code out of the stereo, call the GM number and input your stereo codes and dealer number then the automated service should give you the necessary code to unlock your stereo. You'll have to do some digging though, I've found the needed info before but it's usually buried in other automotive forums out there.

EDIT:
I just searched the GM dealer locator and there is SCHMIDT-HARDY CHEVROLET and MEIER CHEVROLET-BUICK witihin 20 miles of Steelville, either of them should be able to help you unlock the stereo.

maybe this will help

Brian kc0kfg

Thank kc0kfg, but that was the hold 2&3 presets down, and it didnt work.

The radio didn't display any numbers when you pushed the preset numbers down?

No, it still just showed the time, with "LOCKED" underneath.