In an attempt to lock up all the radio repair business for themselves, GM stopped allowing us to buy their radio service manuals after the 1994 model year, then, to combat people buying high-quality aftermarket replacement radios from places like Best Buy, they started building the Body Computers into the radios so they couldn't be removed. That started with some of their 2002 trucks, and gradually included all models in the next few years. That is one of their ways of insuring you'll have to go back to the dealer.
GM also closed down all the independent shops that were authorized to work on their products, starting in the early '80s. Today there are just two left that all the dealers have to use. For a 2005 model, you might get lucky and be able to find a good used radio in a salvage yard, but if it doesn't work in your car, it will have to be programmed by the dealer to your car's VIN number.
There are still independent shops that repair GM radios and digital dashes, but they don't get any support or help from GM. You can find them through an internet search. Some of these people are pretty sharp and can figure out how to repair the more common problems.
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Sunday, October 14th, 2018 AT 9:38 PM
