Radio code issue :: 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette van

[Digger89]

Long, frustrating story: bought this vehicle a few months ago from a used car dealer. It has the factory AM-FM-CD-Cassette unit with anti-theft security code feature. After a few weeks, I noticed the battery was getting weaker, so I decided to troubleshoot the electrical system to see if I could find what was draining the battery. I was doing the trick where you use a meter, and pull one fuse at a time to see if that circuit is causing the problem. Well, while doing this, I happened to pull the radio fuse, and when I went to use the radio, it gave me the LOCKED message, requiring me to re-enter the security code. Well, I don't have the code! The previous owner didn't write it in the manual, and dealer couldn't help, so I was stuck. The only advice I could get was to go to a GM dealer, where they "might" charge upwards of $200 to unlock the radio. Well ...I'm too cheap to do that ....so I didn't. I decided to park the van for the winter, so put it in the back yard, and took the battery out so it wouldn't freeze and break (it gets REAL COLD here!!). So, I put the re-charged battery in a few days ago, the van fired right up ...and surprise!!! ..the radio works!! The LOCKED code had cleared. So, now I would like to cancel the code permanently so I don't have this problem again ....the instructions to cancel the code are in owner's manual, however I need the code that's programmed into the radio in order to enter it and then cancel it !!! So, I'm sort of back to square one! Anyone know how to sort this out???

[Dave Redinger]

welcome to the future... your radio issue is just a glimps into whats coming up just down the road...
the dealer is the only source of this infomation...
I pulled a note on replacing the BCM on this van. This involved killing the power...


After confirming that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Body Control Module (BCM) have the correct Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the BCM recognizes the last four numbers of the Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM), clear the codes from all systems including the radio. After the codes have been cleared, shut the ignition key off for 30 seconds and turn the ignition key back on. The radio should now function properly and the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) light should now flash 7 times and cycle off.

Enjoy the music while it lasts....

[Digger89]

Thanks, Dave ...that's somewhat helpful (I think ...). Are you telling me that if I go through this process, ALL the radio codes will be cleared, and I can start from scratch (just like if the vehicle was new, and I was entering a code for the first time?)

And ....whereabout in the van are all these Control Modules physically located, and are they accessible? Also, I have an OBDII code reader, can I use it to reset these modules as you described?

[Dave Redinger]

Best advice I can give you is get a hold of the factory shop manual...
1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette Van Shop Manual
Location: Ontario



Feedback: 7,672 | 99.3%

C $60.00CalculateTime left:26d 22h 34m1993 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VAN SHOP SERVICE MANUAL




I these on ebay today...

[Digger89]

Well ....surprising and pleasant new development: the battery in the van was a little weak (wouldn't hold a charge) ...so I picked up a new battery. Did I mention what a pain the a** it is to remove the battery from this vehicle? (and I suppose ALL versions of this GM van). It's as if the GM engineers designed the ENTIRE vehicle and then when they were done someone said: "Oh crap! We didn't leave a place for a battery!" and then someone else said: "Hey, we could tuck it in here, behind the passenger side headlight, way underneath everything else, and then we could build the rest of the van around it!"

Anyway, I disconnected the old battery, and then thought maybe I should just check to make sure the alternator was okay, so I reconnected the battery and did a check to see what the charging voltage was. The I disconnected the battery again, and then removed the fender-to-rad-support bar (again!) in order to get the battery out. Then I reversed the process to install the new battery. SO .....through this process of connecting and reconnecting the battery, somehow the radio codes have been cancelled!! I know this because when I changed the battery, the radio did not go into LOC mode again. The manual says it will LOC each time the battery is disconnected.

Bottom line: problem solved.

[hushklein]

I tried to take out my radio code to put a different radio code in to put a program in it. I did not have the right item so I had to put the manufacturer r / c again in my car. When I did that it examine perform I have to put a value in for it to perform. Can you help? need to unlock the code. been to auto shops and check for this oldsmobile parts.

[Dave Redinger]

I did some research for you...
Try this ...They seem to think this is the way for the vehicle to re-learn the vin...
In short what your doing is killing the car electrically and rebooting. It think the 30 mins is required because the air bag system still retains energy.

no joy?
you will need a tech2 scan tool and proceed as instructed..

Good luck ..



1. Install an ammeter between batterycable and battery post, or clamp an inductive meter over the cable.

2. Remove keys from ignition cylinder.

3. Wait 30minutes.

4. Check amp draw value, must be less than 50milliamps.

5. If over 50 milliamps, disconnect the radio,Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR), Driver Information Center(DIC), Heat Vent Air Conditioning (HVAC) panel, right and left powerdoor actuator control modules, if equipped, shock sensor, ifequipped.

6. With a Tech 2, enter Special Functions menu,select VIN RELEARN.

[Dave Redinger]

So did work?