Recoding the radio

[jeffreyturle]

can anyone walk me through the steps for recoding the radio on the early cars.I disconnect the battery when I don't use the car regularly ( phantom battery drain somewhere ,have checked all usual suspects with no success ) and thought it would be nice to have the radio back in all this nice weather but I can't get it back on .
As far as I know I have the right code, am probably missing out something ,thanks.

Jeff

[andrew]

I have just had to do this so here goes - The radio code will be a 6 didget number. When turning on the ignition the radio screen will show a number. 1 ( this will be the first try if showing 2 that will be the second go ) you then punch in the number using the 6 station preselect numbers, on completion of punching in the 6 th corect number the radio will turn on.
If you stuff up more than three times you willl have to wait a few hours with the ignition on before you get another go.

[jeffreyturle]

thanks Andrew,I think I can see where I went wrong,I was only punching in a 4 didget number ie the one I got from the previous owner. Where to start in tracking down the proper code ?

[nigelc]

The early cars will only require a 4 digit code,if you can tell me which model radio you have i should be able to tell you the correct way to recode

[jeffreyturle]

thats a relief to know .Its a ' 96 VVC model and the radio looks to be the original one , it has the following written accross the front
EON-RDS CD CHANGER CONTROL SCN/RND

hope that helps

Jeff

[nigelc]

From what you tell me it sounds like a C23 system,

Turn on CODE_ _ _ _ is displayed
use preset button 1 to put in 1st number of your code ( press 4 times if 4 or however many times for the correct number )
Do the same with button 2,3 & 4 for the following numbers,

After you have the correct code in you need to confirm it by holding the right hand tuning button for a few seconds,( This is the right hand arrow next to the M,

If this is not successful perhaps you can post a photo of the head unit so i can confirm which one it is,

Good luck

[jeffreyturle]

Nigel
didn't work but I did see 2 square buttons on the right of the unit with the words " security code" underneath them so I suspect these need to be used as well.
Will try and get a photo of the head unit and send it .

[nigelc]

From the new information you have given me i am almost certain it will be an R 741, if that is so you will need to do the following,

Switch on CODE shows on display,
Press either up or down tuning button to select the first digit of the code,when correct number appears press preset button 1 to confirm it is correct,
Go back to the tuning button and repeat to get 2nd digit,confirm again by using preset 1 again,
Repeat same for 3rd & 4th code numbers,
once you have entered all 4 numbers a double beep will sound & radio will work.

If you put the wrong code in a warning beep will sound & WAIT will appear,if this happens do not switch off CODE will reappear after a short while then you can try again,

If this works it is possible to de-activate the code on this system let me know & i will tell you how to do this,

Good luck again

[jeffreyturle]

Bingo!thanks Nigel. Not sure I want to deactivate the code ,will see how it goes.
To change the subject ,got any ideas on how I can measure the current flowing out of the battery when the car is atanding ?If I can find out how much juice is flowing out it might point to where the elusive battery drain emanates.
Thanks

[nigelc]

Glad it worked out in the end

With regard to the battery draining problem you would be best getting it tested by an auto electrician,

Another way to prevent the battery discharging due to lack of use is to use a solar powered battery charger they are fairly cheap, just lay the solar panel on the dash & plug into the cigarette lighter it will trickle charge the battery whilst the car is not in use,I have 2 other cars & use this system it is very effective sometimes it may be 3 months between use on one of the cars but my battery is never flat.

Click this link for info.

cgi.ebay.co.uk/Solar-Panel-12v-volt-Charger-Car-Caravan-Boat-Battery_W0QQitemZ120147833975QQihZ002QQcategoryZ41981QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[jeffreyturle]

thanks,will definitely try one of these.

[rob5059]

Nigel, what are the solar charges like in the winter do they still generate enough power to keep it topped up?

Thanks

Rob

[nigelc]

Rob,
The one i use is larger than the one shown on the link it is a 5W output trickle charger (cost £40) but i have it set up with a controller & it charges 2 batteries this works fine winter or summer they just need daylight not full sun,
A friend of mine uses one the same as shown on the link & he tells me that it is still as good any time of the year,

[rob5059]

Thanks a lot Nigel they look like well worth a dabble.

Cheers
Rob