I bought my car used from a Chevy dealership about a month ago. It had an aftermarket alarm already installed from the previous owner. But, I didn't get the key fob or anything for it. I noticed when I bought the car that the sunroof didn't work at all. Since it was covered still by Honda's warranty, I took it to Honda and had them fix it and to also get me the radio/navi codes. It turned out that the person who installed the aftermarket alarm tapped into the sunroof wire and screwed up the sunroof. Honda fixed the problem and didn't charge me anything.

Now, a month later, I disconnected and reconnected the negative battery terminal to hook up an amp; then went to put the radio/navi codes in, but they were wrong ("INCORRECT PIN"). After about a hour of arguing with the service people at Honda, they insisted the codes were right and that the aftermarket alarm messed up the computer. And that the warranty wouldn't cover fixing it. They suggested that I take it back to Chevy and have them rip out the alarm and "that'll fix everything", which I'm doing tomorrow.

I don't know EVERYTHING about car alarms, but I would assume that the alarm would have no interaction with the codes for the navi.

Everything worked perfectly fine before I disconnected the battery.

Am I getting the run-around? Does Honda not want to pay for a new navi unit?

I'm lost...

Ugh....a Chev dealership working on a Honda? I wouldn't trust them but thats me (been screwed around by GM too much in the past with my Sunfire).

Ugh....a Chev dealership working on a Honda? I wouldn't trust them but thats me (been screwed around by GM too much in the past with my Sunfire).

Yeah I know, that was my first thought. But if they can't fix it, they can pay for it to be fixed by Honda.

While an aftermarket alarm can screw up a lot of stuff, I doubt it would change the radio/nav codes on you. I'd try to get the dealer to at least re-check the codes for you.

Since most alarms would also interact with the immbolizer system, then yep, an aftermarket one can mess up the codes. I'm thinking that "ripping out everything" won'tl fix it though. IF the computer won't accept the code, then instead of taking it all out, can't it be disconnected? Like pulling the added alarm's fuse? :dunno: Then trying the code.....

I don't know anything about the added on alarms....but maybe contacting the company of that would prove more helpful!

The Chevy dealer would know who they bought the car from & could contact them regarding the codes. But they won't.

Most aftermarket alarms only sense voltages in the car's wires. They are not connected to the radio's "brain" in any way. The security codes should be "hardwired" into the radio's memory and should be unerasable. I'm guessing they're giving you the code based off your VIN and the Navi/ radio unit has been replaced before. If you're comfortable with taking apart your dash to grab the radio's serial number, I'd start there first.

Most aftermarket alarms only sense voltages in the car's wires. They are not connected to the radio's "brain" in any way. The security codes should be "hardwired" into the radio's memory and should be unerasable. I'm guessing they're giving you the code based off your VIN and the Navi/ radio unit has been replaced before. If you're comfortable with taking apart your dash to grab the radio's serial number, I'd start there first.

Thats what I would look for any warrenty work that was done in the past that the unit was replaced. You sure the codes arent in the glove box inside the books or such?

Thats what I would look for any warrenty work that was done in the past that the unit was replaced. You sure the codes arent in the glove box inside the books or such?

I checked in the glovebox and everywhere else. The car came with no manual (thanks to Conundrum :notworthy , I now have the PDF of it though)

I picked up the car today from Chevy (noticed none of the new Chevy's are nice at all) and they ripped out the alarm. While in the parking lot, I disconnected/reconnected the battery to get a fresh start (since Honda suggested to) and tried the codes with crossed fingers and then... NAYYYYYYYY... didn't work at all. I now have NO radio and NO navi. I was floored, I called Honda and then gave them sh*t, they said I had to go through Chevy.

Gave Chevy a call and talked with the sales manager. He said that "it'll get fixed, it's just whether we do it in-house or they sub to Honda" *crossed fingers for Honda*

We'll see what happens Thursday morning.

The access codes are based on the units serial numbers. A honda dealer can give you the original codes based on the Vin. If the units have been changed out then you must supply the serial numbers. The nav is easy since the brain is in the trunk but the radio involves removing it from the center console.

Just making sure, is the Nav factory installed? Don't see too many Chevy's with factory Nav. Sounds like a possible Mickey Mouse quickie/cheapie job. If so, I would carefully pull all components out and reinstall them correctly. A PROPERLY installed alarm should not affect any electronic component in the vehicle unless it is hooked up to a remote start or the windows. The starter immobilizer only separates the starter wires but doesn't send any current back through the system. It should not affect the audio system at all. As for the sunroof, same senario unless the alarm included a window module which could open and close the roof remotely. Good Luck.

Dragoncoach, pssst... he bought a used Accord from a Chevy dealer...

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!

The problem had NOTHING to do with the aftermarket alarm or the navigation. The problem was DCH Honda of Oxnard's service department are a bunch of lazy hacks! They claimed that they gave me the correct security numbers, which turned out to be completely WRONG! I spent all morning tracing the origin of my car (since I'm the second owner).

Long story short, the original dealership that sold the vehicle put the stickers under the fuse box cover, so I got the CORRECT codes.

Congratulations! Now you know better not to bring your car there for service in the future!

Sweet!!!

The dealer could have known that info simply by looking it up in their system! It will tell them if there's been a switch out under warranty!! Shame on them!!

That's a pet peeve of mine. Honda gives a lot of info to the service depts, yet they can't punch a few keys!

Honda is trying to MAKE them do it more though. You can't get help from the tech-line unless you've been on the computer first. That gives you a PIN that you have to punch in the phone to talk. They simply want the techs to look up bulletins & read anything that's been reported on whatever the issue is. Sounds easy to me!

The dealer could have known that info simply by looking it up in their system! It will tell them if there's been a switch out under warranty!! Shame on them!!

That's a pet peeve of mine. Honda gives a lot of info to the service depts, yet they can't punch a few keys!

Honda is trying to MAKE them do it more though. You can't get help from the tech-line unless you've been on the computer first. That gives you a PIN that you have to punch in the phone to talk. They simply want the techs to look up bulletins & read anything that's been reported on whatever the issue is. Sounds easy to me!

It wasn't even switched out, it was the same navi/radio as the factory put in. They gave me the codes wrong the first time I asked, before I even had a problem. And then when I did have a problem, they insisted that the codes they gave me were correct. Even though they gave me the radio code as the navi code and the navi code as a 5-digit code that was nothing like the original (if any of that makes sense). They gave me 53421 as the navi code even though I found it really is 2006. :screwy:

Argg :rant:... just thinking about the whole situation and their service department pisses me off. I spent 5 days without the radio and navigation and had to get the aftermarket alarm ripped out. Just because some (expletives) were too lazy to pull the codes correctly 2 times.

Oh well, it's all working now. :thmsup: Thank everyone for their help and input! :grouphug: