David, This is an anti-theft feature. Anytime the power is interrupted it is supposed to lock up. When new it came with "OOOO" or "1234", as it's code. Different models would come on showing "CODE" or "SAFE" on the screen. The owner would then enter his own secret code. If you lost power, you had three attempts to enter the right code, or the radio burn the chip, lock up, requiring factory repair. The VI and later radio's were matched to the VIN number of the car. So if you bought it from a salvage yard, get the VIN number and call the dealer parts department with it and they "can" (if they will) give the code. They are not supposed to give it to anyone but the car's registered owner. I have seen a lot of radios that were never coded, so try to enter "OOOO" or "1234" and it may fire up. The reason yours still works showing "CODE", or "SAFE" on the screen, is it may be a remanufactured radio, with a bad lock up chip, or no chip. Look on the part number tag on the housing. If it has an "X" at the end (for exchange) at the end it's a "reman". I always liked those radio's, no CD, and a little simple by today standards, but they played good, and had some nice features, like repeat and search on the tape deck. Cheers Howard Subject: Heidelberg Radio - Code? > > The radio powers on and works fine, so when/why is there a need for a code? |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.