So my got 2 issues I need guidance with so my factory radio the display hasn’t worked since I’ve owned the car no biggie just bugs me so today I got a radio out of a 2003 bonneville and it powered on and played the radio Chanel just fine I turn the car over and it says locked I repeat this 3 times thinking it was my doing but now it just says locked.


also probably about 2/3 months ago was rocking out to some tunes came home parked it when your about 1hr later and the driver rear door is the the only one that puts out any sound I have no door chime( witch I’m not to upset by) but I just want my music back thanks in advance


oh and yea I know my grammar is god awful so bear with me

I don't see a great reason to go about fixing the old radio if we're just replacing it.

Can you post a picture of the new radio?

They are identical I’ll snap a pic in the morning only different is the factory one the little screen does work any more

Hw

Same here

Top is original

I think an hour at the dealership will make it work. They need to program it to the VIN of the car.

Really that sensitive? I’ve never had this problem before. So it’* it a pain in the *** to throw a aftermarket on it ? Previous owner said he did try then car wouldn’t start

If your interested in changing the replacement Radio VIN to match your car, look at the 4th post in this thread .
I agree with your frustration, manufacturer'* forcing a VIN match in various components is nothing more than an attempt to block the installation of used & aftermarket parts. The problem has progressively gotten much worse since your 2003 was manufactured. If manufacturers would have attempted such a scheme 50 years ago (when I started driving) I think they would have went bankrupt because back then people were far less tolerant of such schemes. Today, it'* all about the lack of consumer awareness and manufacturers are taking full advantage of the awareness degradation.

Should be able to install an aftermarket radio without any worry about the VIN.

Typically with a CAN Bus GM vehicle, you can swap out the radio for a non-oem unit. Only downside is, you need to add in a chime module(pretty cheap). All chimes/dings etc are played through the factory radio.