Tell me the dealer is full of it

**ProudCaddyDaddy** · 03-09-10 10:29 AM

I installed an in dash navi unit (pioneer avic f700) the other day and used a radio from a different CTS. After the install the DIC is showing theftlock, as it should. I just spoke to a dealer who told me it can't be unlocked because the radio has been removed, and all that info goes through the radio and not the DIC. I explained what I did with moving the DIC up and just the radio has been chopped out, but he talked to 2 techs that both said it can't be done.
I know others have done this same install and kept thier DIC.
Can this be because I used a radio/DIC from a different CTS?
just tell me the dealer is full of SH_t.

**scoundrel111** · 03-09-10 10:36 AM

Maybe you had to get it unlocked first before you modded it.

**txbest1980** · 03-09-10 11:24 AM

thats what i thought had to be done. you have to have the radio you are going to cut up unlocked first...but i am not positive, although it doesnt make much sense, cause if the radio is missing and that is the so called brain, then how or why would it lock

**ProudCaddyDaddy** · 03-09-10 12:47 PM

Ya, I spoke to a different dealer who said pretty much the exact same thing as you guys.
He's almost positive it won't work, but he'll try it for $140 (minimum hour labor charge).
I guess I'm f_cked and wasted $100 buying this spare radio just to not be able to use it. Oh well, live and learn.

I'll be cutting up my original radio tonight.

Thanks for your guys' feedback

**txbest1980** · 03-09-10 02:52 PM

i have a guy who works for a Caddy dealership and i am going to ask him if it is at all possible...i will get back to ya

**ProudCaddyDaddy** · 03-09-10 03:51 PM

Thanks man I'll be waitin

**Kingoftypos** · 03-09-10 08:47 PM

STOP, DO NOT CUT YOUR ORIGINAL RADIO.

Both dealers are full of shiat. I did the same thing as you did, and bought another factory radio. And it happened to be that my CTS was in the the dealer for a warranty repair. I spoke with the general manager of the shop about my plan. He said "yeah no problem, and I'll just charge you $90." So I had to go home and grab the radio and swapped my original one for the one that I bought. Brought it back and they unlocked it, then even told me that the entire right side buttons were not working. Which I told them that I knew that because the ribbon cable had broken. So other than that, it works perfectly.

However, there is a cheaper way of doing this. That is to use your original radio's mother board. :-) So basically swap the mother board between the two radios. You know that board that you "moved upwards."

KOT

**ewill3rd** · 03-09-10 09:22 PM

IF the radio is still connected to the data bus and it powers up, you can reset the VIN to clear theftlock no matter what else you have done.
I wouldn't call them liars, I would just call them lazy and not very well versed in the operation of our radio systems.

I have heard all sorts of good ones over the years, this one almost makes sense from the perspective of someone that doesn't know much about it.

I would charge about half an hour to do that if there were no issues.
That would be about $55.

**txbest1980** · 03-09-10 11:26 PM

ProudCaddyDaddy...my caddy guy is with KOT and ewill on this. he says it is possible, you just need to break done your fine work you already did and just take the radio you had cut out in and plug them altogether. then they reset the VIN and you go about going on your very merry way...

**ProudCaddyDaddy** · 03-09-10 11:56 PM

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, feedback and advice.
I think my best option will be as KOT said and just take my old radio's motherboard and slide it in my new modified housing. I kinda wanted to leave the original alone, but I don't want to spend $140 on resetting the VIN either.
I can't foresee any problems with that idea.

Thanks guys

I guess I was a little confused about the whole radio/DIC thing. I was under the impression that by removing the CD changer, I was removing part of the radio (the brains) as well. That doesn't seem to be the case.
I know a few BMW techs and they reset radios all the time for $20 a pop. I don't know about the Caddy's but the BMers would take all of 5 minutes. So I'll call my first dealer and explain exactly what I did and if he can do it for a reasonable price, cool, if not, I'll do as KOT suggested.

Thanks again guys

**ewill3rd** · 03-10-10 06:46 AM

It does only take a few minutes but it also requires the use of a $4,000 scan tool.
Sadly there are a lot of procedures required in a dealer to get your car into the shop. For example, at my dealership you...

Come in and talk to the advisor,
They write up the car
You go to the waiting room and watch the flat screen TV and enjoy free internet, coffee, or whatever else you might find in the lounge while someone parks the car and the job gets dispatched.
The tech grabs the ticket and goes to our parking garage to retrieve the vehicle. Then he takes the car into his bay and goes to the tool room for the scan tool.
The job is done then the tools are put away and the car is taken to the car wash. Someone vacuums and washes the car and takes it to the pickup lane and you are paged.
After the paperwork is completed the advisor handles the bill and hands you your keys.

All of those people doing all those little things to keep your service experience pleasant have to be paid, and all those goodies have to be paid for as well.

I mean you are not obligated to use all of those services, you can wait in the lane for a guy to walk over with a scan tool and do it and then drive out, but you are entitled to get the full show.
Like I said, I usually charge half an hour and I like to think it is worth it.

Not sure how your local dealer treats their customers and a smaller dealer might not have the fancy smancy type stuff as we do so....

**ProudCaddyDaddy** · 03-10-10 09:25 AM

ewill,
I'm not knocking how dealers work. I know the ins and outs.
I worked as a porter at a BMW dealer for 2 years, the best man at my wedding is a service advisor at that same dealer.
I know part of the hourly labor charge payed my and his salary.
I just don't have $140 to spend on this if I don't have to.

If I had a better relationship, or any relationship, with my local dealer, things might be different, but I don't, so nuts to me.
I appreciate your input. You have a good rep around this forum and don't construe how I'm coming across as bashing any dealers. I'm not. Like I said, I just don't have that cash to blow if I don't have to. Diapers and formula are expensive ya know

**ewill3rd** · 03-10-10 01:17 PM

I have 2 kids of my own.

I didn't mean to sound defensive.
Just wanted to point out what some people might not get.

Too bad you are too far away, I'd do it for a heckuva lot less than $120.
Thanks for the kind words by the way.

**YuraB** · 03-10-10 06:53 PM

I just chopped it up without doing anything, never had a problem.

**ProudCaddyDaddy** · 03-10-10 08:57 PM

As per KOT's suggestion, I just swapped radio motherboards and my original DIC is back up and running. I have my stored settings still and all that good stuff. Appreciate all the input fellas