How Do I Recode My Beetle Radio?
Often we get asked to help an owner to get their radio working again.
Sometimes the radio code has been lost, never supplied by the owner or the radio itself needed to be replaced but didn't come with a code.
Here is how you go about getting over this hurdle in a few easy steps.
1) If the radio is still in the car, remove it. You will need a pair of radio removal keys (click here if you need to purchase some).
Sometimes the radio code has been lost, never supplied by the owner or the radio itself needed to be replaced but didn't come with a code.
Here is how you go about getting over this hurdle in a few easy steps.
1) If the radio is still in the car, remove it. You will need a pair of radio removal keys (click here if you need to purchase some).
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Removing The Radio
To remove the Beetle radio place the knife shaped keys into the radio slots at the bottom of either side of the unit, with the 'blade' facing inwards as pictured below. Push them in until they click.
- With the keys secured place a finger in each ring and pull the radio towards you but do not remove completely. * Be careful not to pull any of the cables from the rear of the unit.
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With the radio extracted part way you should be able to see a sticker on top of the unit with a serial number visible.
This can also be stamped into the radio body on the right hand side as pictured.
Write down this sequence of letters and numbers.
- Now you can remove the radio keys. Looking on each side you will see a metal spring clip. Push this in to release the radio key.
Pull the radio key outwards to remove.
- Push the radio unit back into the dashboard until both sides click and the unit is fully secured.
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Obtaining a Radio Code
In order to obtain a radio code it is necessary to use the following website: https://www.onlineradiocodes.co.uk/vw-radio-codes
Go to the website using the above link and enter your serial code into the box. The site verifies the code and then you enter an email address and make payment using the secure checkout (£16.99 at last check).
Your unlock code is then emailed to you (usually within an hour). *We have used this service ourselves many times and can highly recommend it.
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Entering the Unlock Code into your Radio
To enter the code into your radio follow the instructions below:
1) Turn the radio on
2) The radio might display the "SAFE" message.
To reset this press and hold down the "SCAN" button to the right and press the ">" on the oblong "SEEK" button to the left for a few seconds.
Your radio will display "1000" and allow you to input a code.
Entering the code is easy using "1344" as an example for code entry we will show you how to input it into the radio.
- Press button "1" one time to display the number "1" in the first column,
- Press button "2" three times to display the number "3" in the second column,
- Press button "3" four times to display the number "4" in the third column,
- Press button "4" four times to display the number "4" in the fourth column.
Checking the screen to ensure the code "1344" (or your code) is correctly displayed, press and hold ">" until you hear a beep, this will input your radio code into the system. Your radio should then unlock.
All Codes are static and never change so if this happens in the future enter the same code into the radio will unlock it again.
*Make a note of your radio code. We write it on the sticker on the unit in case it gets lost.