New Battery, Stereo Code.

[DeepZ3]

Hey fellas, I recently changed my battery. Upon starting the car with the new battery in place, my radio has a screen that says "Code:______" I called my local BMW dealer, since the car is American, and being in Canada, they could not help me. I was wondering if someone could help me find my Radio Code. I can provide the SN and the VIN if that is necessary.

[BMWBergy]

There should be no reason they wouldn't help you. Consider calling U.S. dealership?

[amancuso]

There should be no reason they wouldn't help you. Consider calling U.S. dealership?

+1

[Z3 Bimmer]

do you have the Op manual etc. in the leather booklet that came with it? Mine ('96) has a seperate radio guide and has the radio code in it on a card about the size of a business card.

[DeepZ3]

I'll check for the card. But I called a BMW dealer across the border and they said the only way they could retrieve it was if the stereo was pulled out to look at the serial number on it.
Edit: No radio card in my leather case.

[lokijibber]

You can retrieve the s/n by pressing and holding the "M" button on the radio for 10-20 seconds.

If you can get in touch with forum member "BradK" he can usually get the code for you with those #s.

[DeepZ3]

You can retrieve the s/n by pressing and holding the "M" button on the radio for 10-20 seconds.

If you can get in touch with forum member "BradK" he can usually get the code for you with those #s.

I had sent him an PM 2 days ago, still no reply.

[BMWBergy]

I had sent him an PM 2 days ago, still no reply.

I wouldn't fret. It's a holiday weekend, and perhaps he's taking a break from the boards for the holiday? I see you're in Abbotsford. Too bad the nearest US dealership to you is in Bellevue, WA. It would be simple for you to cross the border for help if they had an outfit in Bellingham.

Have you tried calling BMW Seattle, Bellevue, and NW (Fife)?

[fire2]

I had sent him an PM 2 days ago, still no reply.

I wouldn't fret. It's a holiday weekend, and perhaps he's taking a break from the boards for the holiday?

Like-Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars BradK is(for free)your only hope, I'm sure he will get back to you, probably in
a PM because as of a year or two ago posting radio codes on the open forum is against the rules. BE Patient

[SunzOut]

You can retrieve the s/n by pressing and holding the "M" button on the radio for 10-20 seconds.

Pretty sure this only works...before you pull the power....

Once it's in Code mode, that's all you can do and you have to pull the radio to get the S/N

[TommyZ3]

The Radio Code can be displayed after the battery has been disconnected. Below is some information I put together several years ago.

You can retrieve the code using the radio's buttons and call the dealer for the code.

Something to know: Brands
These radios were provided to BMW by two companies/brands: Blaupunkt and Alpine. Some of the radios have identical serial numbers but were manufactured by different companies and have a Radio Code that is brand specific. So, when you ask the dealer for the code be sure to ask if there is more than one Radio Code listed (a USA code and a EUROPE code). If there are more than one ask the dealer for both codes.

Radio Security Code and Programming/Service Mode

In the zippered holder, along with the Owner's Manual is a card with the "Radio Code". It is an antitheft device. If someone steals the radio, the code must be entered to activate the radio. Likewise, if the car's battery goes dead or is disconnected for safety reasons during service the radio will prompt you to enter the code when power is re-applied.

The radio will display:

CODE - - - - -

Enter the 5-digit Radio Code using the radios preset buttons. This number also appears on your Radio Code card.

After entering the fifth digit press the > button and the radio will activate. Any presets you had before the power loss will return. Apparently, a capacitor in the radio holds that information.

If you enter the wrong radio code 3 times the radio will display WAIT CODE. The radio must remain powered up for one hour at which time the display will reset to CODE - - - - - allowing you to enter the code.

To retrieve your radio’s serial number without removing it from the dash. Enter the radio’s programming/service mode. To do this, turn on the radio then, hold down the m button on the left lower portion of the radio’s faceplate for about 10 seconds. The display will change to the radio’s serial number. At times the radio will display something other than the serial number. To scroll through the various displays press the + button on the left upper portion of the radio and you come to the serial number display. To get out of programming/service mode turn the radio off by pressing the volume control.

The following information is not in my radio owner’s manual.

When in programming/service mode you can scroll through a variety of displays. The only display of any real importance is the GAL. There was no information about GAL in my owner’s manual. Please read below.

The following displays are available:

SN 19941629 – this is your actual serial number which also appears on the Radio Code card
GI 45
GAL 4
HI 321403
> SIM 111100D
> SIP 141401
Station Signal Strength is Displayed
DSP 0 V 00
AREA USA
VIEW 3
AF MAN
########### (blank display – see explanation below)


Explanations of Radio Display Symbols

SN is the serial number of the radio itself needed to get the Radio Code if you lose the card. Contact a BMW dealer, tell them the radio serial number and show your registration. They will get your code from their computer

GI – no idea

GAL (adjustable 1,2,3,4,5,6 using radio preset buttons). This sets the speed sensitive volume control. The higher the number the loader the radio volume automatically becomes as you hit 40mph. It compensates for wind noise due to the top being down. When you slow to below 40mph it returns to your original (idle) setting. I have used it as high as 5 in summer and turned it down to 4 in winter when the top is up. Set to best meet your needs.

HI – no idea. When in this mode pressing the > arrow the display changes to
SIM – no idea - push > again and it changes to
SIP – no idea

Station signal strength is displayed – you can change the station and the display will show you the signal strength of that station.

DSP probably means Digital Signal Processor, DSP does not apply to this model radio in a Z3.

AREA is adjusted using the preset button 1. Area refers to the area country where the radio is being used. Pressing preset button 1 scrolls through the following options; USA, CANADA, JAPAN, NO AREA, EUROPE and OC+RDS., (I recently changed my AREA to OC+RDS and now the Radio Data System (RDS) works. I like receiving the messages sent by radio stations; song title and artist, station call letters and/or slogan, etc. OC+RDS also changed the small display in the lower right corner from – – to MUTE and when pushed it fades the audio level to a very low setting and when touched again returns audio level to the original setting.

Note: I received a replacement radio under warranty and after unsuccessfully trying the USA Radio Code, I checked and found that the radio was set to EUROPE. The radio came with a card that included the USA and EUROPE Radio Code numbers, which were different. I used the European code, the radio activated and then I changed the AREA to USA. The AM/FM tuning increments were different so I could not get American stations. I changed the AREA to USA and all was fine. In the USA, all FM frequencies end in odd numbers i.e.: 101.5 and 98.7. I other countries FM and AM increments are different.

VIEW (adjustable 1,2,3,4 using the preset buttons) 3 is brightest other than that I have no idea.

AF Auto (something)? Options are MAN and OFF. Well, I know it doesn't stand for Auto Focus.

########### Blank display used to test the LEDs. By pressing radio presets 1, 2, 3, 4 the display scrolls through a set of patterns so that any bad LEDs are easy to see.

[amancuso]

Good info, thanks Tommy.

[DeepZ3]

Extremely helpful information Tommy, I will have to call the Dealer down in Bellevue to get my Code tomorrow, since I now have the serial number!

[TommyZ3]

I hope it works out and you're listening to tunes soon.

Happy New Year!

[Zot123]

Just pull the stereo out it only takes a few minutes and the code will be on top of the radio on a sticker written in marker

[mehig]

[QUOTE=TommyZ3;25683953]The Radio Code can be displayed after the battery has been disconnected. Below is some information I put together several years ago.

You can retrieve the code using the radio's buttons and call the dealer for the code.

Incredibly Excellent information

[fire2]

The Radio Code can be displayed after the battery has been disconnected. Below is some information I put together several years ago.

You can retrieve the code using the radio's buttons and call the dealer for the code.

Radio Security Code and Programming/Service Mode

In the zippered holder, along with the Owner's Manual is a card with the "Radio Code". It is an antitheft device. If someone steals the radio, the code must be entered to activate the radio. Likewise, if the car's battery goes dead or is disconnected for safety reasons during service the radio will prompt you to enter the code when power is re-applied.

The radio will display:

CODE - - - - -

Enter the 5-digit Radio Code using the radios preset buttons. This number also appears on your Radio Code card.

After entering the fifth digit press the > button and the radio will activate. Any presets you had before the power loss will return. Apparently, a capacitor in the radio holds that information.

If you enter the wrong radio code 3 times the radio will display WAIT CODE. The radio must remain powered up for one hour at which time the display will reset to CODE - - - - - allowing you to enter the code.

To retrieve your radio’s serial number without removing it from the dash. Enter the radio’s programming/service mode. To do this, turn on the radio then, hold down the m button on the left lower portion of the radio’s faceplate for about 10 seconds. The display will change to the radio’s serial number. At times the radio will display something other than the serial number. To scroll through the various displays press the + button on the left upper portion of the radio and you come to the serial number display. To get out of programming/service mode turn the radio off by pressing the volume control.

The following information is not in my radio owner’s manual.

When in programming/service mode you can scroll through a variety of displays. The only display of any real importance is the GAL. There was no information about GAL in my owner’s manual. Please read below.

The following displays are available:

SN 19941629 – this is your actual serial number which also appears on the Radio Code card
GI 45
GAL 4
HI 321403
> SIM 111100D
> SIP 141401
Station Signal Strength is Displayed
DSP 0 V 00
AREA USA
VIEW 3
AF MAN
########### (blank display – see explanation below)

Just pull the stereo out it only takes a few minutes and the code will be on top of the radio on a sticker written in marker

the code will not be on top of the radio unless a previous owner or dealer put it there---------but you may find the serial number there.

[quote=mehig;25687024]

The Radio Code can be displayed after the battery has been disconnected. Below is some information I put together several years ago.

You can retrieve the code using the radio's buttons and call the dealer for the code.

serial number can be retrieved not the code


All this is not new info it has been published many times before on other older threads, The problem is that either the code cards usually have been lost or the codes provided by most dealers don't work, this is especially true for late models. Thats where BradK comes in, he is a service manager (or was) at a BMW dealership and has access to what he calls the black box that has the real code numbers that correspond to the Radio serial numbers. This is why most people rely on him for the code numbers. I know because Ive been through all the procedures that are listed above and nothing worked until BradK came through. A few years ago there was another guy here that could get the codes but don't think he is no longer around.----- GET A HOLD OF Bradk, it may take a couple weeks to hear from him.

When I got my code from Brad I wrote it in black marker on the radio, in the owners manual and a couple other places. If someone steels the stock radio, oh-well the damage has already has been done, they can have the code.

[DeepZ3]

I guess I will have to pull the radio out since the code given to me via dealer didn't work.

[BenFenner]

Here's a thread that might help: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=959458

I hope this isn't too early to say, but I found it in the Manifesto.

[DeepZ3]

Thanks tons! I'll read through it

[fire2]

I guess I will have to pull the radio out since the code given to me via dealer didn't work.

You must already have the radio serial number because you contacted the dealer and they gave you
the wrong code, if you already have the S.N. then you don't have to pull the radio, but like I said
in my previous post most dealers will not have the right code especially for a late model. You have
to wait for Brads reply, he has access to the "Black Box" with the correct coresponding codes.
(it took two weeks for brad to get back to me)

[DeepZ3]

You must already have the radio serial number because you contacted the dealer and they gave you
the wrong code, if you already have the S.N. then you don't have to pull the radio, but like I said
in my previous post most dealers will not have the right code especially for a late model. You have
to wait for Brads reply, he has access to the "Black Box" with the correct coresponding codes.
(it took two weeks for brad to get back to me)

Someone had previously stated that if you pull the radio unit out the code is stamped on a sticker on top of it.

[fire2]

That someone-ment to say serial number not code number. The radio code is so that thieves cant
use the radio if they steel it, the radio codes were not attached to the radio or in the radio but only
on a card in the owners manual. The only numbers on the radio will be the S.N. and/or some other
identification numbers-----or unless a previous owner or dealer wrote the code on the radio (like I did mine)

[DeepZ3]

Contacted a BMW Bellevue Service representative, and have been in discussion. We've tried everything, and nothing has worked, a tech case has been filed to BMWNA.

[Matt Day]

When I went through this several years ago, the code the dealer gave me didn't work. Then, they told me that there were three different manufacturers for the CD43 and gave me two different codes to try and one worked.
Makes no sense, but apparently the serial number doesn't identify the manufacturer.