Unlocking car radio in 2000 Beetle after battery change

[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!!