How to Unlock Your Chevy or GMC Radio Without Paying a Dime

Chevy and GMC vehicles both feature Theftlock radios which render the stereo inoperable to would-be thieves. The downside of the Theftlock system is that if your battery dies or becomes disconnected, you’ll need to enter the radio code to deactivate the Theftlock system.

You don’t need to special tools or to pay to unlock your Theftlock protected radio. Here are the simple and easy steps to unlock your Chevy or GMC radio.

Before You Start

You’ll need a pen and paper. Be aware that the Theftlock system only allows you 15 seconds to complete each step.

How to Unlock a Chevy Radio

Step 1: Start the vehicle and turn on the radio.

Step 2: Press and hold preset numbers 2 and 3 until a three digit code appears on the radio display. Write this code down.

Step 3: Press the AM/FM button. Your radio will display a second three digit code. Write the second code down. You will now have a six digit code.

Step 4: Call the Chevy Radio Code phone line at 1-800-537-5140. Enter 106010 followed by the # key to direct you to the radio code retrieval system.

Step 5: Enter the six digit code you retrieved in steps 2 and 3 followed by the * key. They must be in order. You will be given a four digit radio code. Write down the radio code.

Step 6: Start your vehicle and turn on the radio. Using the Minute and Hour buttons, enter in the four digit radio code to your stereo system. Press the AM/FM button to unlock your stereo.

How to Unlock a GM Radio

Step 1: Start the vehicle and turn on the radio. The radio will display “LOC” indicating the Theftlock system is activated.

Step 2: Press and hold preset buttons 1 and 4 for ten seconds. (If you don’t have a fourth preset button, press and hold presets 2 and 3.) The radio will display a three digit number. Write this number down.

Step 3: Press the AM/FM button. Your radio will display a second three digit code. Write the second code down. You will now have a six digit code.

Step 4: Contact your local GM Dealer and give them the six digit code. They will give you a four digit radio code.

Many dealers will give you your radio code for free, while others may charge a small fee. If your dealer is charging a larger fee, consider calling another dealer or doing a Google search for sites offering GMC Radio codes. They usually charge a small (around $10) fee.

Step 5: Start your vehicle and turn on the radio. Press the Hour button on the radio until the first two number of the code appear. Next, press the Minute button until the last two numbers of the code are displayed. Once all four digits appear, press the AM/FM button to unlock your stereo. The display will read “SEC” indicating you have successfully unlocked your radio and it is fully operational.

If radio display reads “INOP” while the vehicle is on, too many incorrect radio codes have been entered. To remove “INOP” from your display and unlock your radio, you must leave the key in the On position for one hour. Once you’ve retrieved your radio unlock code, write it down for future use. Your radio code will not change and having it handy will save from going from the radio code retrieval process again.