Possible to clear TheftLock before removal?

ponyboyt said:

I have a BOSE head unit from a 99 going into a 97. Ive seen this done before, and im looking to dodge the "$100 whether it works or not" dealer charge. Can i clear the theft lock from the 99 before i remove the radio? (have keys and power).

Otherwise, i do know someone with a Tech II that is not a dealer. He thinks he cant do it, but can he? It should just be somewhere in body options -> clear VIN once the stereo is installed in the 97???

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As I understand the theftlock, the VIN is stored in the head unit and must agree with the VIN stored in the PCM. So no, you can't "clear the theftlock". I know it only took my mechanic a few seconds to get my replacement head unit working, but I'm not sure of the Tech II command path. For some reason though, I believe the final part is "learn VIN".

ThumperPup said:

not sure if this would work or not
but what about taking the internernal memory batter out
would that clear the theftlock ?
i think someone ones told me that would clear the threft lock on a OEM Navi
but would also clear the firmware and without that id be in trouble
but with no firmware on the radio unit alone then maybe removing the internal batter that would clear it i think

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Again, I'm almost certain that "clearing" the VIN from the memory of the radio will not disable the theft lock. The VIN stored in the radio must match the VIN stored in the PCM (power control module). A blank VIN in the radio would not match the PCM and would trigger the theftlock. The Tech II commands the radio to read and store the VIN from the PCM of the car in which it is installed. If the two stored values do not agree the theftlock is engaged and only the Tech II can issue the "learn" command to the radio.

The navigation system is a completely different beast than the "radio" head unit!

Considering these head units have remote amplifiers and require connection to the main data system to function the very idea of "Theftlock" is almost stupid. With or without the theftlock a thief will find a useless head unit unless they're stealing for a similar Cadillac. Perhaps the Theftlock is a hangover from earlier head units that could be transported to other vehicles that was changed or abandoned in the navigation systems.

Thank you N*Caddy for explaining to me and all.

Please correct me however if I am wrong:

No reasonable way to "blank" the head unit without a Tech II. In a perverse sort of way, the "blank" command for a previously installed head unit can be considered to be a "learn" command.