Wasted money at local dealer

[NYRman1975]

So, I am in the process of putting an OEM Nav radio in my 2005 Grand Prix (that did not originally have one, nor does it have Monsoon) and I am eventually doing the same in my wife's 2007 Grand Prix she is currently having custom painted (the car is actually a replacement for her 2008 that got t-boned and totaled a couple weeks ago RIP). I order the used radio which was from a 2005 GTP and, naturally, it is theft locked. No big deal, call the dealer and say can you unlock it? I understand there are other things I need to do/install in order to make it fully work, but I can't do anything with it locked. Get the usual "It will be $150.00 but we can't guarantee it will unlock and the fee is charged regardless." Okay, whatever, I actually did this once before with a different radio and had it unlocked there just fine. Wife takes it down for me as I had to work, sits there for about an hour and a half roughly, tech comes out "Yeah, it's not possible to use that radio in that car and I couldn't get it to unlock." Claims to have tried "absolutely everything". Wife calls me, I am disappointed and now out $150.00 . So I do a little searching on these very forums and I'm thinking, "Something isn't right with this outcome." So, in a fit of fiscal irresponsibility, I jump on eBay and order a GM Tech II scanner/programmer with the Candi module and all that jazz. Got the scanner within two days, hooked it up and... I had the radio unlocked and operational in 35 seconds. Yes, 35 seconds. I literally timed it.

Anyway, since this section is the "Rant" section, there is my rant. And yes, I have every intention of going back to the dealer and asking what the craps.

[FordMan77]

It's likely because the brand is dead and they don't likely give a f about a 19 year old factory radio setup since it won't make them much money so they do what they can to avoid messing with it. Just another thing to deal with owning an old car.

Worst case you can surf Crutchfield and find something better (with premade harnesses and retain the PAC/SWC functions) and have a nice modern system. Just a thought.

[NYRman1975]

It's likely because the brand is dead and they don't likely give a f about a 19 year old factory radio setup since it won't make them much money so they do what they can to avoid messing with it. Just another thing to deal with owning an old car.

Worst case you can surf Crutchfield and find something better (with premade harnesses and retain the PAC/SWC functions) and have a nice modern system. Just a thought.

Yeah, you are probably right. Like I said I was able to do it myself with the Tech II, so it is working now and I am good. I just wish they were a bit more honest and/or candid and said "hey, that's an old ass radio/car dude. Keep your cash."