different radio "code" retrieval?

[3/4tonYJ]

i just purchase a 2002, 2.0 beetle with the radio in "safe" mode. (and air-bag light on)

i tried everything listed in owners manual that came with car. i used the "Code" from the card inside the manual and radio kept going to "Safe" after second atempt.

i finally removed radio, and retrieved a serial number off the radio itself, it's different than the serial number from manual, Hmm.

fyi, number off radio is VWZ4ZA1038646 and VIN is 3VWCB21C52M416781. also the owners manual is VWZ4Z7A1049380 and Code # is 1143.

i live in Italy, (U.S. Spec vehicle) and am looking for a U.S. VW phone number to call and maybe get someone to help me get radio reset. also, where exactly is the location of the "sticker" i read about thats located in the spare tire compartment.

thanks for any help.....

[pdpallen]

Try this it may work for you

Switch on the coded radio

Push and hold AM/FM BAND SELECTOR and SCAN BUTTONS

Continue to hold the AM/FM BAND SELECTOR and SCAN BUTTONS until the display changes to 1000 and then goes blank.

After the display goes blank, release the AM/FM BAND SELECTOR and SCAN BUTTONS

Finally, push and hold the AM/FM BAND SELECTOR and then push and hold the SCAN BUTTON until the word "Code" is displayed.

After releasing the buttons, the radio station frequency is displayed

I hope this works for you let us know

[Steinola]

I'm not sure what pdpallen's sequence is supposed to do. It sounds interesting, but I've never heard of it before. It could be a sequence to get the headunit to handshake with and recognize the car so a code wouldn't be needed. The headunit is supposed to do this automatically... but maybe it got "stuck" somehow and you need this sequence to kick it in the butt and wake up.

Seems like there are a couple of symptoms that you're working here, 3/4ton. First and foremost, you most definitely do not have the manual that originally came with this particular car (so it makes sense that the radio code doesn't work). The dealer could've found an old NB manual and stuck it in your car because it didn't have one, or the seller could've bought a manual off eBay and stuck it in there. Who knows how it got there.

You probably don't have the headunit that was originally in this car, either. Since they're designed to automatically recognize it's "home" car so that it doesn't require the code. You should only need the code if the radio was originally from another car.

Another alternative is that the original owner had an aftermarket headunit in there, and when they put the OEM radio back in, they didn't (properly) reconnect the entire harness (most notably, the K-wire). So it's having trouble handshaking with the car. I'd have someone look at it, if this is the case. An improperly connected stereo harness can fry your dealer's code scanning equipment if they happen to connect it... and they'll make you pay for it if that happens (that stuff ain't cheap).

The sticker with the radio code is typically in or around the spare tire well, as you mentioned. But it's pretty common for it to become unstuck and lost. It's not held on with great adhesive... and that area can see a lot of activity and wear (particularly if the tires have ever been changed roadside). If it's there, I have no doubt that you'd see it. But I wouldn't expect it to still be there on a 2002.

If pdpallen's sequence doesn't work for you, the # for VWoA customer care is 1-800-822-8987. Although, I think I remember someone in a similar situation as you getting nowhere when they called that number. They really want you to get the code via your dealer (so VAG can confirm that you're in possession of the radio, and that it's actually in your NB). Of course, that becomes difficult when you're overseas.