dealer can't find my radio code, where else can i go?

[specialk]

well, i tried putting the factory back in the car but the dealer said that my radio id# is not in the system. my radio id number had only nine numbers/letters, but they said that i needed ten characters. who else can i call or go to?

thanks, kal

[1995red318i]

Originally posted by specialk
well, i tried putting the factory back in the car but the dealer said that my radio id# is not in the system. my radio id number had only nine numbers/letters, but they said that i needed ten characters. who else can i call or go to?

thanks, kal

it should be on the top of the radio. just pull it out, and i believe the code should be there on top...more towards the rear.
mine was there.

[umnitza]

Originally posted by 1995red318i

it should be on the top of the radio. just pull it out, and i believe the code should be there on top...more towards the rear.
mine was there.

Now THAT is silly. If it's there. I mean, why would the stereo be an "anti-theft" stereo if all the thieves had to do is look at the top of the stereo to get a code for it?:

[1995red318i]

Originally posted by umnitza

Now THAT is silly. If it's there. I mean, why would the stereo be an "anti-theft" stereo if all the thieves had to do is look at the top of the stereo to get a code for it?

i think you forgot to put another colon after the d
but i don't know why...but my dealer just got the little radio pop out tool and pulled it out to get the code.
come to think of it...i acutally think it wasn't on top, but behind instead.
but i think it is on there....that's how mine was.
maybe its different now or for later models, but i am just speaking from personal experience.

[specialk]

well, how many letters/numbers is the code? cause all i got on the back was "A50653941" it was stamped on a the back. it looked more like the radio # that they used to search in their data base for the code.

kal

[umnitza]

My code is 5 numbers - starting with a *

[umnitza]

Originally posted by 1995red318i

i think you forgot to put another colon after the d

Happy?

Most likely - the dealer got your serial number off of the top of the radio and did a lookup for the security code.

[1995red318i]

Originally posted by umnitza

Happy?

Most likely - the dealer got your serial number off of the top of the radio and did a lookup for the security code.

happy? well yes and no
yes because you put in the other colon
no because i am wrong, and you are right
that is what they did. i forgot that's what happened. we got the code of the back and i took the number into the dealership and they run the code and got my radio security code from that.
you were right...sorry about the confusion.
but since you have that # from the back of the radio, have the dealership run it and they should come up with the radio code for you.

[specialk]

that's exactly what i did brought them the number on back of the radio and they can't find the coding using those numbers. and that's at 2 dealerships not just one.

kal

[butterm3]

what year is your car??
mine is a 97 and I gave the dealer the code on the sticker and they could not find it, one of the guys was pretty cool and he told me to open the ignition(dont turn engine) and press and hold the m button on the radio for about 10-15 seconds then the radio will give you a code beggining with SN******take that code to the dealer and they should be able to look it up that way


Juan

[specialk]

but i'll go outside and try it nows. thanks for the info

kal

[butterm3]

let me know if it works

[specialk]

cause i tried holding down the "mode" button and nothing happens. i feel like my car is falling apart. i even tried holding the "mute" button also. i turned the key on so that you can see the battery is on and that dinging noise was going on. is that correct?

kal

[umnitza]

Call BMWNA - give them your VIN, your Radio S/N and see if they can't help you.

If not, no worries, someone is bound to sell a better replacement for your stock stereo shortly and guess what - you'll end up in a better place

[specialk]

do you happen to have bmwna's number?

kal

[umnitza]

Originally posted by specialk
do you happen to have bmwna's number?

kal

do I look like the YellowPages to you?: :

[specialk]

lol,

kal

[nicholas]

Have you actually taken your car to the dealer? If not, drive it down there and they will be able to get the SN # and then give you the code. The one problem is that you will have to wait one hour, while the radio is on the whole time, before you can enter the code. I had the same problem. After disconnecting the battery the radio went into anti-theft mode and i did not have the code. Just drove to the dealer and they gave me the code within 10 minutes. Then drove around for an hour and entered it and viola! By the way, the dealer should not charge you for it.

[specialk]

yeah, been to dealer already and they couldn't find the code for my radio id that was on the back of my radio. and also called bmwna and they couldn't help. think i'm going to give up cause i'm getting the run around from them.

kal

[nicholas]

They should not have to look at the back of the radio at all. The guy who did mine just entered something on the face and it turned out a code for him, from which i got my radio code. Try a different dealer. Some BMW dealers are idiots!

[butterm3]

on my radio there is two arrows left and right and in between there is a button with a m on it (my radio is not in the car so I dont remember 100%) any way turn the ignition like you were going to turn the car on just dont crank it(ex if you have a stick and you stall)then press and hold down button for 10-15 seconds or maybe longer and a code comes out on the screen that is the serial number for the radio from that they can look it up. If you like email me your vin and the numbers of the radio better yet try to take a pic and I will see if the guy will hook me up with the code at the dealer.

Juan

[specialk]

you've got mail. i emailed you my vin and all the numbers on my radio. cause i don't have a digicam.

thanks by the way.

kal

[butterm3]

ok I will try to go by tomorrow.

Juan

[Bob ///M3]

The dealership can get radio codes for any BMW automobile from BMW. The dealership must first identify themselves with their special dealership authorization code and then they must identify you as the lawful owner of the vehicle. The code is then made available to the dealership (from BMW) and they will give it to you (the owner).

Any other way of getting the code would go against the principle of "anti-theft" because a thief could easily get the code...

Bob ///M3