Are you struggling to replace the radio on your Hummer H2? Hi, I’m Craig from Flying Wheels and I’ve got you covered. The radio in the Hummer H2 and various Chevy and GM trucks is a plug-and-play model, but it comes with a catch. These radios are encoded to the VIN of the vehicle and have an anti-theft device that prevents them from working in a new vehicle.
When you try to swap out the radio, you might encounter a “locked” message, or even if the radio powers up, you may get no sound. The standard solutions involve obtaining a code from an 800 number or having the new radio programmed to the new VIN at a cost of $150. However, I’m here to show you a simple method to bypass this issue and get your radio working in your new car without spending a dime.
Unlocking the Radio
To begin with, after removing the radio, you’ll need to pry off the bottom cover and locate the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) chip. In some cases, such as with a radio featuring a tape deck, you may need to remove a specific piece, but always ensure you reassemble any removed components properly.
Once you have access to the EEPROM chip, the next step involves disconnecting it. By doing so, you can “cheat” the radio and get it to work in your new vehicle. After starting the car, the radio should power on without displaying a “locked” message and allow you to listen to your favorite tunes. However, please note that this method may result in the radio not memorizing your presets, which is a minor drawback to consider.
So there you have it – a simple and budget-friendly way to replace and cheat the radio on your Hummer H2. I hope this guide has been helpful to you in resolving your radio replacement issues. If you found this video useful, consider giving it a thumbs up and subscribing to my channel for more valuable car video tips and tricks. Thank you for watching!
What vehicles is the radio compatible with?
The radio is compatible with Chevy and GM trucks from 1999 to about 2006, including the Cadillac Escalades, H2s, 1500 Silverados, 2500 Silverados, Yukons, and Tahoes.
Why does the radio show ‘locked’ when swapped into a new vehicle?
The radios are encoded to the VIN of the vehicle and have an anti-theft device that prevents them from working in a new vehicle.
How can the radio be unlocked for use in a new vehicle?
One method is to call an 800 number for a code, another is to hold specific buttons on the radio to get a code, and the third option is to have GM program the new radio to the new VIN for a fee.
Is there a way to bypass the radio lock without incurring the GM programming fee?
Yes, by removing and replacing the EEPROM (part number 355093) from the radio, it is possible to cheat the radio to work in a new car. However, this method may not memorize the radio presets and could result in a calibration error.
What is the drawback of bypassing the radio lock using the EEPROM method?
The drawback is that the radio may not memorize presets and could display a calibration error each time the car is started.