Did you change the battery in your car, then when you went to start your car the next day you found that the radio was locked?
This is a common problem, you often have no idea that you need an unlock code before it is too late.
Unlocking a radio can be difficult if you do not have the unlock code when you purchased the car, or you did not even know that you were supposed to get a unlock code. But, you might be in luck if this happens to you, because this is very common, and there is a process to unlocking radios that others have figured out.
What is a car radio code and why is it needed?
A car radio code is a security feature meant to deter theft. It requires the driver to input a specific code to unlock the radio if power is lost.
A radio code is specific to the make and model of the vehicle. In other words, the code for a Ford Fiesta would not work in a Ford Focus.
If the radio is disconnected from the battery, or thinks it was because the battery is dead, it may ask the driver to enter a code in order to use the radio again
(And just another reason you want to keep your battery healthy with a battery conditioner, or trickle charger.
When your radio says “LOCK”, “CODE”, or something similar on the display, it is time to find your radio code, and input the code into the system.
How to find the radio code?
#1. Check your owner’s manual.
To find the radio code the first thing you should do is check your owner’s manual. The owner’s manual can usually be found in your glove box or with the documents you received when purchased the car.
Typically, when the car was delivered by the manufacturer, a radio card or label was glued or printed into the owner’s manual, or is present on another piece of paper in the glove box labeled with all documents. Often times, the steps to find the radio code will be detailed in the owner’s manual as well.
#2. Visit the manufacturer’s website.
If you couldn’t get luck checking the owner’s manual, it is time to check the manufacturer’s website. Often, you will have to verify that you are the owner of the car.
If you have a car manufacturer iOS or Android app you can usually find the radio code located in the app there as well! If you find it in the app, they will usually send the radio code to your email after verification.
Keep in mind this does not work with aftermarket radios. You can also try looking for information about retrieving the radio code for particular car models or on related websites.
#3. Visit or Call your Local Dealer.
If you cannot find information on their website, try calling your local dealer where you purchased the car. If they are an authorized dealer for the car brand, they may be able to obtain the radio code from their database without an issue.
It is important to keep in mind that this may not include aftermarket radios or if they purchased the car from a broker or person rather than an authorized dealer.
Often, the major problem is that this can cost you anywhere from $30–$50 to get the radio code, depending upon the car brand.
#4. Contact a Local Car Audio Center.
If you have read through everything before this and nothing seemed to work, you are now down to the last option. In case of aftermarket stereos, this often works quite well, and even with OEM stereos it can sometimes be enough to work.
Simply look on Google maps for the closest local car audio center, and just take your car there. Let them take a look at it, and see if they can unlock the car stereo for you. They usually have special tools that will unlock the stereo or they have information on how to unlock your car radio.
Aftermarket Stereo Unlocking
Aftermarket stereos typically do not have a locking feature, unless they are a premium brand.
If you can’t find those approaches work for aftermarket car radios, refer to the code that came with your purchase.
If you did not buy the stereo or lost the documentation, call the manufacturer instead. Here are the phone numbers of the most popular after market stereo manufacturers.
| Manufacturer | Phone Number |
| Alpine | (800)421-2284 |
| Becker | (201)773-0978 |
| Blaupunkt/Bosch | (800)266-2528 |
| Clarion | (800)347-8667 |
| Grundig | (248)813-2000 |
How to enter the radio code?
With your car radio code handy, check your owner’s manual and follow the instructions to unlock the radio.
The radio unlocking process will vary by make and model. Typically, it will involve the following:
- Turn the radio on and wait until you are asked for the code. The radio may state SAFE, ENTER or CODE, followed by four dashes
- Enter the four digit code using the radio buttons or touchscreen
- Confirm the radio code (it may ask you to push a button to confirm code)
- Once you have entered the code, check to see that the radio is working.
If your vehicle is losing power or the radio disconnects frequently, it is possible you have a problem. Have a mobile mechanic contact a mobile mechanic for a diagnostics check.
FAQs.
How do I unlock my car radio without the code?
For most cars, there is no simple way to unlock the radio when it è locked. If there was a simple way to unlock a radio when it was locked, then that would defeat the purpose of having a radio with a code; the code is meant to help discourage thieves.
Some manufacturers have allowed a “backdoor” for their stereo systems, which you can usually invoke if you know about it. Normally this just has to do with pressing a few buttons or twisting knobs relative to turning on and off the ignition.
Can I get the radio code from the VIN number?
If you get the radio code from the VIN, yes, there are two ways to look up the radio code. You can go to the authorized dealer and they will have a quick way to know what your radio’s code is.
They will usually charge for that code so you will end up paying $50-100, or you can look on-line at the websites that specialize in this code stuff.
Why do cars have radio codes?
Cars have a radio code to prevent the theft of a cars stereo system. you may not know this if you haven’t looked into it, but standard systems in our vehicles are actually quite expensive.
Most stolen & used car stereo systems are resold on used car audio market, so they can be in high demand. If an encoded stereo system is removed from the car, the stereo locks up and becomes essentially useless. Therefore, it deters would be burglars from breaking into the car to steal the radio.
How many digits is a radio code?
The number of digits in a radio code varies greatly depending on Manufacturer and their level of protection.
Some cars will have four digits, some may have 15 digits, but mostly you will see just blank spaces to fill on the radios display which is likely to be the number of digits in the code.
What do I do if I lost my radio code?
First off, most people will check the owner’s manual that is usually located in the glove box. Most manufacturers put either a sticker somewhere on/in the manual with the radio code on it.
If this doesn’t work you can go on-line and look on different websites that cater to this information. Mostly this will be free.
Finally, if none of this works, you can always call the local authorized dealer, and they can really easily find your radio code by you presenting the VIN with proof of your ownership.
Most modern car radios have a code that it is designed to deter the stealing of a car stereo system. In other words, when a car stereo is removed from a single vehicle, that stereo will lock up and be useless. But the same will usually happen when was or an example, change out a car battery.
The only way to unlock a car stereo at that point is by using a code given to that owner by the manufacturer of the vehicle. And if you don’t know what your radio code is, you have two options, which wold include the main dealer or hopefully looking it up on one of the specialized sites. the internet.