I took the car to the dealership about five months ago to get the radio fixed. It would give me an intermittent "LOCK" message when I would start the car. I'd have to shut the car off and start it up again for the radio to play. When I did that, I'd always have to reprogram everything.
Today on the way home, all of a sudden it decided to quit putting out sound. I was driving along and it just cut off. Everything on the radio itself works, but no sound comes out.
I've had it with this thing.
Been wanting a new head unit anyway that can play MP3's.

 

buy a new one, or make them replace it with one from the SS It plays MP3's.

 

I just went to Best Buy and Circuit City and they both fed me some line about a computer in the radio that requires a special $120 wiring harness if I put in an aftermarket radio.
On to Search!

 

Man, It's not 120 bucks. At least not a wallyworld.

 

do you have onstar? if so then yes it is freaking expensive!

 

I retract my previous statement.

 

I ended up going to Crutchfield and got this...
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SR8IhTd...300&I=113MP332

 

i don't know if this has been posted further down the thread, but teh $120 is bullshit unless you have keyless entry. A friend of mine has a base Cobalt like mine (auto instead of 5gear) and he got the proper harness for his Pioneer deck... cost him $30.

The dealer didn't give me any **** when my radio crapped out... it takes like 10 minutes to replace.

Scott

 

if u have onstar your need a special harness that will bypass it so u can use the factory deck. onstar is tied into the radio as use as to hear the feedback from it. if u dont u can just simply get a wire harness from best buy and wire it up. really the only thing u have to do it just. only when it comes to speakers it gets weird. good luck

 

Here, give this to your lazy dealer......

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Radio Displays Locked Message Intermittently (Replace Radio) #05-08-44-010A - (Jun 21, 2005)
Radio Displays Locked Message Intermittently (Replace Radio)
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt

2005 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)

with Radio (RPO U1C)

This bulletin is being revised to provide additional corrective action information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-08-44-010 (Section 08 - Body and Accessories).

DO NOT REPLACE THE BCM.

Condition
Some customers may comment that the radio displays "locked" and the radio is inoperative on start-up. If the customer turns the vehicle "off" and then back to "on" , the radio message may clear itself and the radio functions normally. This condition may be intermittent.

Cause
Due to a software issue, the radio may not be able to verify the vehicle VIN number and then goes into locked mode.

Correction
Important:: The U1C radio (P/N 15235437 and P/N 15278465) is no longer available. When the U1C radio is ordered through the Electronic Service Centers (ESCs), the uplevel radio RPO UN0 (P/N 15272189) will be received.


Replace the radio.

Parts Information
Contact an authorized Electronic Service Center to order a replacement radio.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

R0760
Receiver, Radio - Remove, Repair and Replace Radio
Use Published Labor Operation Time