rains_crusader

iTrader: (1)

That also means the radio I put in my car may also need to be set up. I purchased mine on eBay and have no idea which options the car had that the radio came from. I don't have an amplified system but if I remember right, the stereo seemed a bit quieter than my old radio. Which would make sense. If the original car had an amplifier, the radio would be set to output low level signals. Are you going to try going to a dealership?

Boxeat2469

Now is that using your VIN, or the VIN of a vehicle that the radio would have come from?

rains_crusader

iTrader: (1)

When you program the radio with the tech2, You don't input any VIN. The tech2 simply clears the old VIN and allows for a new one to be learned. What that thread is talking about is the radio needs to be "set-up" similar to if you had to replace your BCM, Airbag controller, RCDLR module, etc. The module has to be set up or flashed to enable or disable certain features and receive up to date calibration. For example. If you had your RCDLR module go bad, you can't simply replace it. Your RCDLR module receives a signal from the tire monitor sensors and the keyless fobs. It has to be flashed so that it knows which options your vehicle has. In this example, some cars don't have the tire monitors but still have keyless fobs but both options use the same module. With the set-up process, you are telling each module which options to enable. so for the RCDLR example. The module is flashed(set-up) with the option code info and the module can then leave the tire monitor sensor option disabled and enable keyless entry. Then the tech2 can be hooked up to learn the keyless remotes to the new module. They use whats called TIS2web for the set-up process. It's a deeper form of programming. Using GM's database, it compares available option codes against your VIN and all originally installed options. That's why that thread talks about using the VIN the radio was removed from. That option code is tied to that VIN number. So once the module is set-up it can then be further programmed. It's weird GM removed the UQ3/UQ4 setting from the Tech2 for the later radios. When I programmed my current radio, I noticed it was missing. So, I assumed the radio auto-detected the amp. I thought I had read that somewhere too.

Boxeat2469

So what tool are they using with the TIS2web? Isn't that still a Tech 2?

I hate to go to the dealer. Most peeps in the other forums had bad luck at the dealers. Very few techs able to do the programming correctly. They could all do the VIN relearn, but only a handful got the right radio options and got in and fixed the chime and volume level issue.

rains_crusader

iTrader: (1)

I believe they can use the tech2 but its in pass through mode. so it's directly interfacing with a web connected computer. They can plug it directly into their computer as well. What you need is a tech who has access to the GM servers.

Maybe you can find someone who has a USB radio out of an amplified car and just trade.

Boxeat2469

If I trade, I still have to go to the dealer to get the VIN relearn done. If I'm going to the dealer regardless, I'd rather keep the new radio with the warranty.

Boxeat2469

Was just playing on TIS2web using my actual VIN and a VIN off a 2009 with the UUI option. Sure enough, different options. When I use the VIN for a 2009 with the UUI option and go into radio, there are two different calibration files for base speakers UQ4 and uplevel speakers UQ3. So now I guess I'll have to suck it up and see if my local dealer can do this.

rains_crusader

iTrader: (1)

Right but then again, they may not be able to figure out the proper set up process. I understand you have a nice shiny new radio. I wouldn't want to give that up either. Just saying, it might be an option. Can you return the radio?

Boxeat2469

Returns are only accepted if the unit is defective, so no returning it. Its usable as is if I have to leave it this way. I'd just rather get it right.

rains_crusader

iTrader: (1)

ahh. gotcha. I understand. will you post back here with results after your visit to the dealer?

Boxeat2469

Definitely, if I go to the dealer I'll post back.

Boxeat2469

All right, just got back from the dealer. My Chevy dealer in town said it couldn't be done, but would attempt it for a one hour labor charge. So I went to the Chevy dealer in the next town, Chevrolet of Naperville. They charged half hour labor and did it no problem. And they did the ignition lock cylinder recall while I was there. Radio works perfect now. And they checked the service history. Looks like the stock radio was just replaced October 2013. So the old radio is just about new.

rains_crusader

iTrader: (1)

Awesome! Glad you got it done! Did they know exactly how to do it?

Boxeat2469

They did not. But I was prepared to guide them. I actually had a 2009 SS VIN for a car that came factory with the UUI radio and the Pioneer system. I entered that VIN into TIS2web and printed out the configuration page for the radio module. I brought that in with me and gave that to them and explained what needed to be done. They were able to do it no problem then. They also did the ignition switch and ignition lock cylinder recalls while I was there. Total of 1 hr 15 mins at the dealer today and now I'm a happy camper.

rains_crusader

iTrader: (1)

Sweet! The dealers around here are clueless. Before I had my tech2, I called around about having my fog lights enabled in the bcm. They all acted like it couldn't be done. One dealer told me I'd have to buy a "light package" but it wasn't even available for my year/model. It's almost laughable. It was a simple toggle in the tech2 configuration screen. It took about 5 minutes to do.

Glad you got your radio all squared away. What did they charge you? You said they billed you for 1/2 an hour. Just curious what their charge was.

Boxeat2469

It was $63.00 to have the radio programmed.

C Vanciu

Really? My dealer charged me $40

Boxeat2469

Their hourly rate is $126, so they told me up front it would be 1/2 hour labor charge. The closer dealer to me, Advantage Chevy of Bolingbrook, charges $128 an hour and wanted a full hour of labor to program the radio. I was cool with the $63.

C Vanciu

Ouch, you are getting raped. Every Chevy dealer in my area charges $90/hr for labor and that is rape in itself. You would have to be a complete sucker to pay $128/hr. Half the techs aren't even qualified to work on our cars, or most cars for that matter.

rains_crusader

iTrader: (1)

Well, at least his radio is working properly.

Boxeat2469

C Vanciu,
You don't list your location, but labor rates are relative to geographic area. I work for an insurance company and do business with repair facilities in all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. While $126 an hour may seem high to you, that's cheap compared to other areas, and its right on par for where I'm at. You mentioned where you are that the dealers charge $90. That's less than what mom and pop independent shops charge around here.

But I do agree most of the newer techs aren't worth a damn. Most doen't understand how things work, they just replace parts based on the DTC set. But that has nothing to do with the hourly rate the dealer charges.