Car Stereos: 2005 Malibu stereo, chevy malibu, 2005 chevy malibu

Question
I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu. The CD player doesn't work. I got a used manufacturer CD player (that works!) from a junkyard. I was told that once it was installed I would have to take it to the dealership to get it programmed. I called the dealership to find out how much it would cost. He said $90 for the programming but didn't know for sure if he could program it. He said that some manufacturer stereos are matched with VIN numbers and it may be "locked". When I told him the year of my car he said it may be old enough to work??  What do you think? Should I have the new-used stereo installed and take the chance or do you think they won't be able to program it?

Answer
Hi Karin,

To put it bluntly, it sounds like your dealer is on drugs.

I've never in my entire life ever heard of a deck being locked to a VIN.  That would require the manufacturer run data bus lines from the ECU into the stereo so it can know the car's VIN in the first place.

Before going to your dealer though, try calling a few local car stereo shops.  Someone might be able to get the deck to work for you for a lot less than $90.  That's just highway robbery.

Justin