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OEM radio compatibility and "LOC"; Do all radios need a security code?
Topic Started: Apr 25 2015, 09:02 PM (2,306 Views)
scratchpaddy
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Not so fast

I just finished swapping out the nasty dash in my '96 for a cancer-free '00 unit, and replaced a bunch of stuff that was busted or missing there, too. The radio bezel was one of the missing things. When I put the new one in, I discovered that it was missing because the crappy aftermarket radio doesn't fit with it on. :shake

All I need is the radio, preferably one without finicky controls and bright lights that can't be turned off. An OEM unit would be ideal (my factory harness/plug is still intact :rocker ), but I know that many of them will go into LOC mode if you put them in any car they weren't originally installed in, and then you have to go to a dealer and fork over more than the radio is worth so they can "unlock" it for you.

Do they all have this security feature, or just the high end ones? I'd be happy even with a plain AM/FM unit as long as it wouldn't require a trip to the stealership.

Also, anybody know what other years would be compatible with a '96 Geo?
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702852


Most 00 and newer Honda radios have a security feature.
Most single din 've and bmw and Audi as well are coded.
Older gm radios were coded with 6 digit codes and new gm radios are vin based where via the databus system the radio will either turn on Or not based on vin..

All in all, just go aftermarket, Bt,usb, aux as well as more power and features
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scratchpaddy
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Not so fast

How old is "older"? I was hoping there would be some OEM radios from before these codes were implemented, or maybe basic ones that weren't fancy enough to need "security"...

I've never met an aftermarket radio I liked. Every one I've used was clumsy, unintuitive, and drew way too much attention to itself. I just want something that sits there quietly and picks up radio signals, and maybe even displays the time.

I sure wish I had a buddy at a dealership. I would only need six digits... :(
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geogonfa
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Here is a good topic to read...
http://geometroforum.com/topic/5182034/1/
:type
or contact Mythstae would be my first choice for radio choices...
or pick up this for basic operation and not a bad price...
http://www.amazon.com/BOSS-Audio-625UAB-Single-Din-Detachable/dp/B00B65J5B8
with this...
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-70-1782-Wiring-Harness-Speaker/dp/B0002BEX9Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1430099118&vehicle=1997-50-469------------4-0&sr=1-2&ymm=1997%3Ageo%3Ametro&keywords=radio+wiring+harness
and this:
http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-1992-2004-Select-Infinity-Mini-Multi/dp/B0007KK2NS/ref=pd_sim_auto_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0KPXBTM15Y6E7NC9ETA5
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scratchpaddy
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Not so fast

Thanks for that info! Stiffchezze does so much awesome stuff to his rides. I looked over Mythstae's guide, too. She has some great info there on aftermarket units. I'm still hoping I can make an OEM unit work, but maybe, if I can find a double-DIN aftermarket unit that's simple and doesn't scream "LOOK AT ME!!! :spaz " ... :hmm
Edited by scratchpaddy, Apr 27 2015, 12:30 AM.
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Stiffchezze
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Sir Metrologist

scratchpaddy
Apr 27 2015, 12:30 AM
Thanks for that info! Stiffchezze does so much awesome stuff to his rides.


Thanks... :ashamed

OK, you have ALOT going on here. Lets start from the top.

1) What type of OEM unit are you looking for? A Metro specific unit, or just one that looks that way?

2) The LOC mode on the OEM Metro units is SOLELY based on whether the unit has power or not. It couldn't give a :shit as to what car it's in. There is nothing, I repeat NOTHING that communicates the VIN number in a Metro to the radio. If you pull the power, and the security is set, then it goes into LOC mode. Nothing more, nothing less.

3) The only time you have to fork over money at a dealership for an unlock code is if they have to disassemble your dash to pull the unit to get the S/N off of the back of the radio. The code is locked to the unit, not to the car. If you pull it yourself and go in with the S/N, you should have no problems. Every time I have had to do it, the parts counter guys had me hooked up in under 5 min. for free. BUT they do make me come in, they will NOT do it over the phone.

4) If you want a Metro factory head unit (I would not, but to each his own) any of the double DIN units from IIRC :hmm '92-'97 should work. I think it the change over was in late '97 to a different harness connector. This includes Metro's, Swifts, and Trackers of this time period.

5) There are MANY other options you can go with if you want an OEM look, without going with the crappy Delco units our Metro's came with.
I was running this one for awhile:
Posted Image
Link--->Factory Options; At least I think they look that way!
This is a VERY nice simple unit from just about all the other Suzuki's of the same time period. It is actually made by Clarion. The mounts are EXACTLY the same as the Metro's, but the wiring is a little different.

Wiring is not a big deal. Whatever you do, DON"T CUT YOUR FACTORY HARNESS! Just wire anything you find with an aftermarket connector and it will plug right in.

Full disclosure, I have since moved on to the unit geogonfa posted about. (Thanks geogonfa! )Why? because I wanted the steering wheel controls..... :evillol
(The writeup for that one will be....... Intense. ;) )

However you chose to do it, if you wire it correctly, in will operate just like the original OEM unit.

Also, there is no issue going with an Aftermarket unit. There are some really nice ones out there; I have some in my other rides. But for my Metro, I wanted that understated OEM look.

Feel free to ask any questions, (I hope I already answered a few) I'll be happy to help you out! :thumb
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scratchpaddy
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Not so fast

Thanks, great info there! I'm relieved to hear that a dealership might not need a ton of money to unlock a radio. I mean, it's not like it's a ton of work for them.

Stiffchezze
Apr 27 2015, 01:26 AM
But for my Metro, I wanted that understated OEM look.


THAT is exactly what I'm looking for. I just want it to look & feel stock, and I thought the best/easiest way to do that was to get an actual stock unit. That's a nice alternative you have there, and it seriously screws right in? Can't beat that! I'll keep my eyes open for other Suzukis, though they seem to be even more rare than the rebadged ones.

What is it you don't like about the stock Delco units? I've had three Chevys in the past, all with the stock ACDelco radios, and I couldn't be happier with them. Sound quality was decent, and the volume automatically adjusted with speed. They were great. Now, I know these older units won't have speed-adaptive volume, but I'd like to know more from someone who's used them.

In your picture, see how you can just push on the volume knob to turn it off? I love that. It's simple, intuitive touches like that that aftermarket units never seem to have. I'd love to be able to dim the display, too. The aftermarket unit in my Nissan is super bright, and the lights can't even be turned off, let alone down. I was driving through the wastes of Nevada once late at night when I finally realized that I could just pop off the whole faceplate to keep it from blinding me. It spent the rest of the trip on the passenger seat.
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702852


Scratchpaddy, what manufacturer radio are you trying to unlock? I may be able to help.
Delco? Honda? Etc....
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scratchpaddy
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Not so fast

I'm trying to unlock a hypothetical radio at this point. :lol Thanks very much for the offer, though! I'll let you know once I make a decision and have an actual unit in my hands. :thumb
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702852


All good. If Delco I used to have a phone number that you can call and by typing in the id of the radio it would tell you the code.

And Honda radios there's a website.....i have saved on work computer that you type in id of radio and some basic stuff and it gives you 3/4 possible codes and theres always one that works....obviously I would just help cause they helped me at some point
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Mythstae
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Stiffchezze
Apr 27 2015, 01:26 AM
4) If you want a Metro factory head unit (I would not, but to each his own) any of the double DIN units from IIRC :hmm '92-'97 should work. I think it the change over was in late '97 to a different harness connector.
You're close, Stiffchezze! The harness was the same shape from 1989-1999. They changed the plug for the 2000 and 2001 models.
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Woodie
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On Metro radios, the security feature was turned off from the factory. 99% of the time it's not an issue, the other 1% you'll need to find the guy who turned it on.
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Metromightymouse
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Powdercoat Wizard

I thought the security feature was the Geo emblem on the face? The way to turn it off is to use some lacquer thinner.
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Mythstae
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Metromightymouse
Apr 28 2015, 06:13 AM
I thought the security feature was the Geo emblem on the face? The way to turn it off is to use some lacquer thinner.
:rofl
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scratchpaddy
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Not so fast

Woodie
Apr 28 2015, 05:51 AM
On Metro radios, the security feature was turned off from the factory. 99% of the time it's not an issue, the other 1% you'll need to find the guy who turned it on.

That's what I want to hear! :rocker There's a '97 at the junkyard, but I can't remember if the radio was stock. Probably not, but it's worth a check. If I can't find one of the Clarion units Stiff mentioned, I might go with that.

And thanks for the date clarification, Mythstae. :thumb There's a '00 at the yard with a stock radio, but it's missing knobs. Probably not worth the trouble if I have to re-wire it, too.

Metromightymouse
Apr 28 2015, 06:13 AM
I thought the security feature was the Geo emblem on the face? The way to turn it off is to use some lacquer thinner.

:lol
Edited by scratchpaddy, Apr 28 2015, 06:13 PM.
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