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Replacement Radio Read Cal Error, Has No Audio or Will Not Program - keywords calibration inoperative sound volume

Subject:Replacement Radio Reads "Cal Error", Has No Audio or Will Not Program

Models:2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade Models
2003-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe
2003-2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic
2003-2007 GMC Sierra Classic
2003-2006 GMC Yukon and Yukon Denali Models
2003-2007 Hummer H2



This PI has been revised to update the Model List. Please discard PIT3195.


The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:

Vehicles may exhibit a radio display reading of "Cal Error" or having a no audio condition after installing a new radio. These concerns may be caused by the radio not being programmed or programmed incorrectly.

Recommendation/Instructions:

Starting for 2003 model year all radios are SPS programmable and must be programmed after installation. After radio installation "Request Info" from the vehicle with the Tech 2. Once the Info. is retrieved from the vehicle take the Tech 2 back to the Techline Terminal and go into Service Programming. It is imperative that at the "Select Diagnostic Tool and Programming Process" screen, in the "Select Programming Process" box, you select "Replace and Program ECU". If this is not selected, TIS will display programming errors, and will not allow the calibrations to download into the Tech 2.

Print the build sheet from GMVIS, or check the SPID label for the RPO code of the radio, amplifier, and speaker system to assist with the radio and radio calibration selection.

At the "System Option" screen select "base radio" for RPO UM7, 9R0, U1C, and UM6 radios, and "uplevel radio" for RPO codes UC6, UB0, UB1, UN0, and UP0. If "base radio" is selected on a truck equipped with an uplevel radio the programming will be successful, but the radio will display "Cal Error" and there may NOT be any audio. The navigation radio (UM8) is not SPS programmable, it needs to have the VIN learn procedure performed in the NAVIGATION RADIO special functions menu, NOT the radio menu.

After selecting "uplevel" you may receive a pop up message to select the radio part number. If the part number is not listed, contact Techline at 1-800-828-6860.

Select the calibrations for the speaker system installed in the vehicle. UQ3 and UQ5 speakers do not utilize an amplifier, UQ7 uses a class 2 amplifier on vehicles equipped with Y91, and a non-Class 2 amplifier on vehicles not equipped with Y91. If the wrong speaker system is selected, a low or no audio condition will result without a cal error message on the radio display.

Important: All vehicles equipped with a RSE (DVD) system, RPO U42 the INFO fuse MUST be removed from the UBEC prior to programming the radio. If the radio locks up during programming because the "info" fuse was not removed, follow Preliminary Information Bulletin PIT3194 to reset the radio.

Note: Do not confuse the RSE (DVD) with the RSA/rear HVAC controller.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.