How to get your GM radio code

If your GM radio is showing LOC, LOCKED or THEFTLOCK and won't play, the stereo's anti-theft system has activated — almost always after a dead or disconnected battery. You'll need your factory unlock code to get it working again. This applies to Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Saturn factory radios.

Step 1 — identify your radio

GM factory radios store a serial number internally or printed on the unit's label. In most cases the correct code can be retrieved from the radio's serial or part number. We'll tell you exactly what we need.

Step 2 — get your unlock code

Send us your GM radio serial number (or VIN where applicable) and we'll look up the correct factory code and email it to you. Standard delivery is 30 minutes to 24 hours, 7 days a week. Express is guaranteed within one hour.

Entering the code on a Delco radio

GM's method is different from every other brand, and it catches people out. These are the steps for a radio already showing LOC. Do not pause between them — see the timer warning below.

1. Turn the ignition on. LOC appears on the display.
2. Press MIN. 000 appears. Keep pressing MIN until the last two digits of your code are showing.
3. Press HR until the first one or two digits are showing.
4. Press AM-FM to confirm. SEC appears and the radio works again.

SEC at the end is the good result — it means the radio is unlocked and secured to your vehicle.

Zeros are not displayed, and this is what stops most people. If your code contains a zero the display will not show it, so you count button presses instead. For the code 0216: press MIN 21 times and HR 6 times. The leading zero is simply disregarded.

The 15-second rule: if more than 15 seconds pass between presses, the unit gives up and you start the sequence again. Have your code in front of you before you begin.

Which GM brands we cover

We supply factory unlock codes for Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Saturn. Not sure whether your radio is GM-built? Send the serial and we'll confirm. You can also read what THEFTLOCK means, or see our dedicated Chevrolet radio code guide.

Why trust Radio-Code.com

We've supplied factory car stereo unlock codes since 1998, with a money-back guarantee if we can't retrieve a working code. Thousands of GM owners have used us to get their radios playing again.

Want the full breakdown of what LOC means? Here →

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