How to Unlock Stereo Codes for a 2005 Pontiac Sunfire

The Sunfire saw the light of day in 1990 as an ultra-modern concept car by Pontiac. That concept included high-tech features such as carbon fiber body, heads-up display, voice-activated cellular phone and a 190-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Unfortunately, that Sunfire never saw production. In 1995, GM redesigned the platform the Cavalier and Sunbird sat atop and replaced the Sunbird with a slightly less high-tech version of the Sunfire. The 2005 Sunfires audio system has an anti-theft system that learns a portion of the vehicle identification number so it will not work in any other vehicle without in-depth programming, which requires a special scan tool.

Instructions

1

Contact a GM dealership with your Sunfires vehicle identification number if you do not know the regular production option of your Sunfires audio system. You cannot unlock the stereo without this RPO code.

2

Adjust the drivers seat as far back as it goes, then connect the OBD-II scanners data cable to the data link connector -- the male receptacle located under the drivers side of the dashboard that is the same shape as the scanners connector.

3

Turn the ignition to the Run position but dont start the Sunfire. Turn on the scanner if it does not automatically turn on. Refer to the scanners instructions for the procedure to turn it on.

4

Select the Body menu at the main menu and enter all requested vehicle information when the scanner prompts you.

5

Choose the Radio submenu from the Body menu, then choose Special Functions followed by Radio Setup.

6

Observe as the scanner displays "The following test will set up a new or an existing radio. Press [ENTER] to Continue ... ." Press the Enter key, or whichever key the scanner instructs you to press in the message.

7

Highlight the RPO code for your Sunfires radio and press Enter. Highlight either USA/Canada or Export depending on if your Sunfire is U.S.-spec or an exported model, then press Enter.

8

Wait for the scanner to display "Is vehicle equipped with U2L (L Band)? Press [YES] or [NO]." Highlight Yes if your Sunfire has satellite radio; highlight No if it does not have satellite radio, then press Enter.

9

Watch as the scanner begins the testing process and displays Test in Progress. Once the testing and calibration is complete, the scanner displays Test Completed Successfully.

10

Press the Exit key on the scanner, or highlight Exit and press Enter to exit the menu.

11

Turn the ignition to the Off position, then unplug the scanner. Turn the ignition to the Run position and verify the radios operation.