BCM Programming

When a BCM is replaced, it must be programmed with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle that it is being installed in. The Radio Theftlock feature uses the VIN to verify that the radio has not been removed and improperly installed in another vehicle.

The programming of the BCM is accomplished by using a scan tool.The vehicles VIN is entered in the scan tool and then transmitted via a Class 2 physical message to the BCM. The BCM stores the VIN in EEPROM. The first communication between the BCM and radio re-arms the Radio Theftlock.

The BCM and radio communicate via Class 2 functional messages. When the ignition is switched to the On position, the radio requests part of the VIN from the BCM. The BCM reports back the requested VIN to the radio where the information is compared to a VIN stored in the radio EEPROM.

If the VIN from the BCM does not match, the radio disables all entertainment functions and when the ignition is On displays a message on the VF display that it is in the Locked mode. The radio remains in this mode until it receives a VIN that matches the original VIN stored in EEPROM.

When the radio is replaced, the location in the radio EEPROM, reserved for the VIN, must be in the default mode. If not, a scan tool must be used to reset it. In the default mode, the first communication between the BCM and radio re-arms the Radio Theftlock.

In the event there is a power loss to the BCM or radio, Radio Theftlock re-arms after the first communication between the two devices, after power is restored. If Class 2 communication does not resume, the radio will go into the Locked mode.