Radio/Audio System Description and Operation: Theftlock: Radio

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Cadillac STS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Theftlock theft deterrent system is a feature on all base and uplevel radios. There is no need to program a security code into the radio as in past model years. The theft deterrent system now utilizes GMLAN to determine if the radio is in the appropriate vehicle. Each time the radio receives the "run" power mode message, it compares the VIN information it has stored to the VIN information received from the instrument panel module (IPM) on the GMLAN circuit. If a mis-match occurs, the radio display will indicate to the user the radio is locked. Once this takes place, a DTC will set, the radio will not respond to any button presses and become inoperative. The two scenarios able to cause this condition are:

A radio is installed from another vehicle
The IPM is replaced and not properly setup with the correct VIN information for that vehicle

The only way to unlock the radio is by using a scan tool. Always refer to the DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDEX table to diagnose the Theftlock DTC for further information.