Unlocking car radio in 2000 Beetle after battery change

[poppies1962]

Hi all!!

I know that there a a million and one posts on this issue but none of them seem to be giving us the answer for our specific problem / car. My daughters car - 2000 VW Beetle - had the battery replaced three weeks ago and we have been trying all of this time to reset the radio. In the first instance, "safe" was dispayed on the radio screen and my young daughter had no clue what this meant and punched most of the buttons trying to get it to work. Three weeks later, and after scanning and trying EVERY suggestion in the posts we still have no radio. The radio displays "Code 1"at the moment... if we try to enter our correct four digit code by using each of the buttons i.e. if the first number is "1", we hit the 1 button once, if the second is "0" we hit the 2 button trying to get the zero to appear, and the screen then goes to "Code 2". Then at the beginning of trying to enter the third number the screen goes to "--- --- ---". We leave the radio turned on, with the key in the ignition but car not turned onto accessories or motor running for at least an hour.... come back and it is back to "Code 1".
Desperately trying for three weeks now to reset our daughters radio on her 2000 VW Beetle after a new battery was installed. The screen does not display "Safe"... it displays "Code 1" and then "Code 2" (after doing it wrong again) then it goes back to "--- --- ---". We leave it for at least an hour with the radio on, key in the ignition (but not switched to accessories or motor running) and we come back to see "Code 1". We would so greatly appreciate someone giving us step by step instructions on how to get it back to "Safe" so that we can input our code.

Posts we have looked at say to press simultaneously the 'scan' and 'rds' buttons..... we do not have a 'rds' button... is 'rdm' button the same thing??
Can someone PLEASE tells us step by step EXACTLY what we have to do to get the screen back to the point of "Safe" and then go to "1000".

Hoping someone can help as this is driving us carazy!!!!

[SXY28L]

Hey welcome to this forum

you usually have a special code u must put in, it is normally found in the owners book,
Ask the dealer for your special code.

Enjoy your stay

SXY28L

[poppies1962]

Thank you!

Yes we have the four digit code thanks. What our problem is that we can not get the screen on the radio to display "safe" which should then go to "1000" so that we can input our code..... it displays "Code 1".... We need to know the exact proceedure to get it back to displaying 'safe' so that we can input our code. Any help would be fantastic.

Some posts we have looked at say to press simultaneously the 'scan' and 'rds' buttons..... we do not have a 'rds' button... is 'rdm' button the same thing?? Pressing and holding our 'scan' and 'rdm' button does not work.

Many thanks and desperately hoping for some help here. :confused:

[AdamD]

Have you tried disconnecting the battery from the car for a minute or two, to reset the radio back to its factory default (again)? You should then see the "Safe" message and should be able to follow the prescribed steps to unlock it using your security code.

[h100vw]

Try disconnecting the battery again or pulling the radio fuse. The other thing I was wondering if it's maybe not the original radio? Often some kind person writes the code on the case, so you could also take it out to check.

Gavin

[poppies1962]

Hi AdamD

Yes we have disconnected the battery a few times now. Once for a few minutes, another time for half an hour. Radio screen still displayed "Code 1". :facepalm:

[h100vw]

whats the model number of the radio?

[poppies1962]

Hi h100vw

Thanks for your reply. We have not yet tried to pull the radio fuse. Is this done by removing the radio? It definitely looks like the original radio as vw stamped on the unit. The code was not written on radio card within the manual but we found it on the sticker in the spare tyre well. Sounds like the only alternative here is to remove the radio??

[h100vw]

The radio fuse will be in the end of the dash but disconnecting the battery would do the same job. Even if it's a VW radio, it doesn't mean that the code you have is the one for that particular radio.

The sticker in the boot, has build information on it, was the code hand written?

Gavin


Hi h100vw

Thanks for your reply. We have not yet tried to pull the radio fuse. Is this done by removing the radio? It definitely looks like the original radio as vw stamped on the unit. The code was not written on radio card within the manual but we found it on the sticker in the spare tyre well. Sounds like the only alternative here is to remove the radio??

[poppies1962]

I have no idea sorry. The manual states that it is either a BR-466M or a BR-477M but the pictures of those two radio's do not look like the actual radio in the vehicle. Once again, looks like we may have to try and take the radio out as I have tried to google search the different radio models to no avail.

[AdamD]

I have no idea sorry. The manual states that it is either a BR-466M or a BR-477M but the pictures of those two radio's do not look like the actual radio in the vehicle.

Do you want to take a photo of the radio, and put a link to it up here? We'll try to identify the model from that.

[poppies1962]

No the code wasn't hand written. It was a four digit number found on the sticker in the spare tyre well (which I found after googling where to find the number) but yes, you could be correct.... maybe we have been inputting the incorrect number!!

If we pull out the radio, will the code be somewhere there?

I really think that if we can get the radio to display 'safe' again and we input that code all will be well??

[poppies1962]

C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Te mporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\BJVOPBZK\photo.JPG

[h100vw]

I have no idea sorry. The manual states that it is either a BR-466M or a BR-477M but the pictures of those two radio's do not look like the actual radio in the vehicle. Once again, looks like we may have to try and take the radio out as I have tried to google search the different radio models to no avail.

If thats the case then I'd say the code could be wrong or right for another radio.

Gavin

[AdamD]

You'll need to upload your image to the Internet, and then post that link here. Just follow these instructions:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f10/uploading-images-45153.html

[poppies1962]

I (thought) I was pretty good on computers but do not have a clue how to post the picture. I click on the 'insert image' icon above but it wants me to put a 'url' address there.... what the heck does that mean please?

[h100vw]

I am pretty much 100% that VW don't print the radio code on the sticker.

[poppies1962]

Ok thanks.... hope this works!

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q716/poppies1962/2000vwbeetleradio.jpg

[poppies1962]

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/[/IMG]

[h100vw]

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/[/IMG]

All I have found out is that it is a Gamma but nothing much else.

I'd say take it out and see if anything is written on the case.

It would probably take a while for the SAFE to reset it self. maybe leave it unplugged over night and see what happens?

Gavin

[poppies1962]

Ok I will try that. Thank you very much for your efforts!!

[JustCruisn]

There are only 6 buttons so the 4 digit code will be made up only of digits from 1-6.
The code cannot contain 0,7,8 or 9
If the code was 4562
You would press button 4 then 5 then 6 then 2.

Code 1 means attempt 1. Fail that will display Code 2 for 2nd attempt until it locks you out and you have to wait a long time to try again.
Personally the code for my radio is printed on a special card in the owners manual, with warnings about leaving it in the vehicle.

[Lito]

if i were you mate i would ring up a dealer an get them to give you the code. i really don't think vw put the radio code on the boot sticker. it'll only take a minute and they shouldn't charge you anything, that's what i did when i had my stock radio and it worked first time.

[poppies1962]

Thank you JustCruisn

Well to start with, the code I have here does contain the number 7 so we may very well have the wrong code!!

The book says "use button 1 to input the first digit of the code number, button 2 to input the second digit, and so on"..... I am starting to think that the radio in this vehicle (although it totally looks like an originaly factory fitted radio, it may have been replaced at some time prior to our purchase of the vehicle as nothing is seeming to make sense. i.e. the pictures of the radio in the booklet that came with the car do not look like the actual radio IN the car

The radio card is still intact within the radio book and is completely blank so this is of no help whatsoever.

Looks like we have more research to do! Many thanks!

[poppies1962]

Thank you for suggesting this Lito. I have done this and the dealer says that they can not (or will not) give me the code over the phone and that we have to take the car there (1 hour away). Do you know if any of these web sites that say they can provide you with the code if you give them your VIN No are genuine??

[Lito]

maybe try a different dealer? i rang vw austral in brisbane and they gave it to me over the phone if that helps

[poppies1962]

ok great thank you... will give that a try in the morning!

Like I said previously, I have a feeling that they have changed the factory supplied radio as I am sure that the code that I have is correct (for the original radio) but am now really thinking that the radio that is in there now is not the radio for the code that I have.

[JustCruisn]

Have you pulled it out yet ?
The code may be on a piece of paper taped to the top or back of the unit.

[poppies1962]

No we haven't pulled it out yet as need a set of keys to do that. Getting some this morning so fingers are tightly crossed that the code is on there somewhere or at the very least, the serial number for the radio will be there and therefore we should be able to get the code from someone by matching the serial number with the cars VIN. Will let you know how we go!!

[poppies1962]

Can't buy the keys! Apparently they don't sell them because the radio car thieves can buy them also pfft. I can't get the radio out without the keys and have to pay at least 1 hr mechanic time to get it taken out i.e. at least $120!!

The dealership that sold the brand new vehicle 12 years ago can't help... the local mechanics (5) can't help... the local (1 hour away) dealership is going to charge a fortune to take out the radio, get the serial no, send this off with our VIN No. to somewhere in Melbourne (which I also have to pay for) etc etc etc...... I have literally wasted over 100 hours of time on this....

I have booked a guy to come and install a new radio!! I seriously HATE to be defeated but this issue has really gotten the better of me....

Thank you all so very much for your help... just have to go with the 'win some.... lose some' with this one.... it's cost me more money in time trying to figure this issue out than I would like to calculate.... I am the first one to say that I love modern day technology.... but in this instance i.e. wanting a car radio to just simply work.... has beaten me down and I hate to say... but I wave the white flag and give up!!

Thanks. Your advice and help has been greatly appreciated!! :)

[JustCruisn]

Is there a reputable car stereo place in your town ? Chances are they have those keys and if it's a slow day they might have a looksee for next to nothing.
I went to a custom stereo place in Brisbane asking to buy the rubber mounting part for the back of my head unit and the guy went out the back, pulled one from an old unit and it was free. So worth a shot.

[Guest001]

I bought 3 different sets of radio removal tools on Ebay along with a set of trim removal tools for the large sum of $12 posted from Honkers Were here in a week.

Removed the radio in a Mazda 626 with two pieces of wire You only have to put something in to hold the clips outwards from the radio to allow the little protrusions to slide past.

Easy as. I thought I saw Autobarn sold the removal keys but I could be wrong I remember ringing when I was going to do the Mazda and they were about $10- $16 from memory

[Idle]

There's a good illustration of the keys here:-

20pcs/Lot Auto Car Radio Removal Keys Tools Pins For VW Ford Audi Mercury Mazda Free Shipping-in Diagnostic Tools from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/20pcs-Lot-Auto-Car-Radio-Removal-Keys-Tools-Pins-For-VW-Ford-Audi-Mercury-Mazda-Free/624595476.html)

This site only sells in bulk, but they don't look all that hard to make.

[Guest001]

I made mine for the Mazda out of a metal wire coathanger but the OP one looks like it needs flat metal ones

Look here eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110904706761?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)

Probably the silver ones with the D shaped tops.

See price $10.99

[Suz]

I have no idea sorry. The manual states that it is either a BR-466M or a BR-477M but the pictures of those two radio's do not look like the actual radio in the vehicle. Once again, looks like we may have to try and take the radio out as I have tried to google search the different radio models to no avail.

I have a 2000 Beetle that has a radio the same in the pic posted here.
All I did was enter the 4 digit code and the radio came on.
I didn't have to press or turn anything like it said in the manual.
Also apparently there is a serial number on the radio that you can use to get
your 4 digit code. You can actually go online and enter the serial number and get the code.
I hope this helps anyone in the future with the same problem.
Cheers