Hey All, I've done a lot of reading about how you can put a USB HHR stock radio in a 2008. I purchased a USB radio out of a 2009 HHR. I went to a dealer to get the radio reprogrammed and they told me that it could not be done. I luckily got out of there with no charge. The tech said hey called their support folks to get the correct procedure. No luck. My 2008 is the pioneer system. Days later I found that I do have access to a GM TechII scan tool. Does anyone here have the step by step on how to use the TechII to do this? I have found a brief 10 step instruction but not sure if it applies to my situation. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.....

 

We have a 2009 USB radio in place of the stock radio in our 06. I don't see why it couldn't be done in a 08.


I mounted the USB cable/thumb drive in the glovebox:

 

I have heard and read the same thing but the dealer said it couldn't be done.

ChevyMGR - anyone? any help with the TechII instructions?

 

I found this on another GM forum Does this look correct?

Radio Theftlock Clear Procedure

Complete the following procedure, using a scan tool, in order to properly set up communication:

Using a connected Tech2,

1. At the Main Menu screen, select: Diagnostics.

2. At the Vehicle Identification screen, select the following options:
- Model Year >>> (radio came from an 04 Escalade or whatever)
- LD Trk, MPV, Incomplete

3. At the System Selection Menu screen, select: Body

4. At the Vehicle Identification screen, select the following:
- Appropriate model
- Appropriate Air Conditioning
- Navigation Radio

5. At the Body Screen, select: Navigation Radio.

6. At the Radio screen, select: Special Functions.

7. At the Special Functions screen, select: VIN Relearn.

8. At the VIN Relearn screen, the scan tool will display "Do you want to clear radio theft information?"

9. To begin clearing, press the soft touch key on the top right of the scan tool. The scan tool will display "Clearing Radio Theft in Progress."

10. Press EXIT on the scan tool and cycle the ignition.

 

I didn't watch the tech when he did the programming on ours. I recall it only taking 10 minutes or less.

 

Bump... any help out there?

 

Hello,
Ive been down this road with my 08 LS USB radio.
I bought a unlocked USB radio and worked fine for 4 months. Went in for a Transmission software update and they guess when it scanned my car it locked the radio and they couldnt unlock it. Went to a GMC dealer and no go there either.

Went back to original dealer and they were kind enough to let me go in the shop and talk to the tech. As they knew it worked before.

1st they need to know the part number of the radio you are installing.
The problem lies if the 09 radio part number in not listed for an 08.
The TechII tool will not unlock it because in knows it dosent belong. The technician will not pick any part# in the list for fear of messing something up.

On the Tech II tool there will be the sound systen options along with part number.

You need to pick a sound system/part number in the list that closely matches your new radio if not listed.

Goog Luck!

BTW: You can pick any high end radio USB or not and it should work.

 

Thanks for the info

 

If you pick a 'high end radio USB or not' and it's aftermarket ( i.e.; not an OEM GM radio), you wouldn't need a Tech II to make it work.