Radio issues

[miochza]

So, the story began when my car wouldn't start. I found out the battery was dead, and replaced the battery. The radio needed a code, I was going to call the dealer for a new one with my VIN #, I heard you could do that. However, my car battery died again. So I had to get it towed to the shop to get a new alternator Now, my radio only has 4 dashes. I can't input a code. I've read posts saying that you have to let the car run for an hour with the radio on, and it will let you enter a code again? Would taking my radio out help? I'm hoping the radio code is on it so I don't need to talk to the dealer.

[JMarkert]

Do you have any of the original literature? Often the code is written somewhere in the owners manual.

I think you'd need to pop the radio out in any case, because they seem to search for the code by radio sn, not vin (although these should be theoretically linked). Don't be too worried by the ----, I'm pretty sure what you read about leaving it on with the key in for an hour works.


Be aware that most dealers won't give you the code on the phone since this defeats the purpose. Some extra evil ones actually charge you to look up the number. These evil money grubbers are rare, but it does happen. I got mine with no problems from the parts guy when I was buying some replacement bulbs - I suspect the parts counter is more likely to give out the number than the service folks.

[miochza]

So I took the radio out, and thankfully, someone had written the 4 digit code on the top. Now is the 1 hour running to get rid of the dashes, need to be in one drive, or is it cumulitive, because I think I've driven at least an hour with the radio on....