Radio Code Problem - Please Help

[BMW325i]

I have a 325i 4dr, 1992, and today I had to fix my on baord computer because I had a problem with the code. So i disconnected the battery and reconnected it 15 minutes later and now displayed on the radio is code. How do I get this off. I read their is a code card that I need that has the code for the radio on it. However I don't have this card. Then I find I can call the BMW Dealer and they could possibly tell me the code. Is this correct and are they gonna charge me for this. Is their another way.

Jeffrey

[Mikedav]

Sounds a bit drastic, but I have heard sticking it in the freezer for 30 minutes does the trick as it clears the memory...having said that whether you want to do that or not is up to you.

Phone the dealer with all the car details you can find from the log book. They should have the key code on record, and the service desk people are usually helpful on such matters. Peugeot and Citroen are at least because I had to do it- and they didnt charge me, they just want to check you havent ripped the stereo off so the ask a few details.

[Punter]

Haha, sticking it in the freezer for 30 minutes........that's a new one to me.......assuming you don't want to freeze your OBC, you do need the code card, it's usually in the owner's manual somewhere, if you don't have it you can call the dealership but sometimes they are dicks and try to charge you for it.

[Mikedav]

Well I used to know a guy who was less than level if you get my drift- thats what he and his friends used to do with stereos they had 'obtained'. I didnt believe him till he opened his freezer. As long as you let it defrost first (!), they work fine...

Having said that the other method is much better and shouldnt be a problem.

[ToM3]

the way that the dealership can retrieve your radio code is by entering the serial number of the radio into their database. you can obtain this code yourself, i can't remember exactly, but i think u can this way: turn the car on (not engine) and hold down the 'm' button until the serial number comes up on the display.

anyway, i can understand how this would be sketchy over the phone and they prob would want u to come in to make sure the radio isn't stolen. they should do it for free unless they're jerks about it. good luck.

[GENE328is]

This happened to me when I first got my 328is, before I swapped in my Sony headunit... what you have to do is this: when it reads "CODE", the first thing you must do is start up your car. You have to have the engine running for a full 60 minutes before it will allow you to enter the code. Once the engine has been running for 60 minutes straight, the "CODE" will change to "CODE WAIT..." Once it reads "CODE WAIT...", enter your 5-digit radio code, and VIOLA! it works...As far as getting the radio code goes, go down to the dealership and have them get it for you. This is what I did, it took 3 seconds and they didnt charge me.... What they have to do is take your radio out and check the chassis number on the back of it, then take that number and look in their database to get the 5-digit code... It shouldnt be that much of a pain, if you do it like this, it will definitely work... Best of luck to ya!

[Mikedav]

Run the engine for an hour? Seems a bit odd and impractical...Are you sure? Every car I have ever done it with, just need to turn the ignition to accessory 'acc' to enter the code...

[Punter]

I just had a factory spoiler installed on my car the other day and they disconnected the battery to hook up the third brake light so when I picked up the car the radio was flashing "CODE". I didn't have to wait 60 minutes though, I just got out the owner's manual, found my code card and entered the code right then while it still said "CODE", worked fine, went straight back to normal operation.