Radio codes

Post by **philhoward** » 07 Sep 2006, 23:00

I've got a card (3rd oarty, not a Citroen one) which has a code scribbled on it, but its only 3 digits. Is this likely to be the right one, or is there any way to pull the code out whilst the radio is still powered? Failing that, is there a way to decode it without resorting to the Main Stealers?

It's the Xantia one with the CD jack on the bottom left..

Cheers

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 07 Sep 2006, 23:57

I doubt if the code is three digits long - most have four digits at least.

You can download calculators which will deduce the code from the serial number, but they aren't available for all makes of radio. Is that Mk1 Xantia radio a Clarion or Blaupunkt?

PicassoPigeon · Post by **PicassoPigeon** » 08 Sep 2006, 06:57

http://radiocode.proboards6.com/index.c ... =codereqst

This is where i got mine from, i just gave all the numbers from the top and side of the radio. Saved me £20 and now i have the code on stickers all over my radio and car so i never can forget it.

Post by **RichardW** » 08 Sep 2006, 07:46

It will be a four digit code for the radio. You may well find that the code is written on the radio somewhere if you pull it out (which you can do without disconnecting it) - most have been out for repair at some time, and the code often gets written on them - mine is!

Otherwise, as listed above several places can work out the code from the serial number.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 08 Sep 2006, 08:19

i was told by a citroen technition that all ZX radio codes start with a 0 or a 1,so may be this is the case with you xantias code
regards malcolm

davek-uk · Post by **davek-uk** » 08 Sep 2006, 08:56

Not that it's much help but my old Xantia radio (now in the BX) had a code starting with "2".

reddeathdrinker · Post by **reddeathdrinker** » 08 Sep 2006, 16:15

I was in at the local Main Dealer getting a couple of hydraulic pipes, and mentioned to the chap that the radio was locked out, how could I get the code?

As the car had been local all its life, they had it on their system, and chucked it in free of charge

Post by **xantia_v6** » 08 Sep 2006, 17:30

I think that the dealer service department computers are all networked for recording service history, and most dealers record the radio code (and regisxtration mark) on the computer database as part of the pre-delivery check, so often, any firendly dealer can retrieve it for free.

My car however was not sold as new by a citroen dealer, and apparently had no pre-delivery check, as there was no record of it on the computer network. So my dealer had to pay Citroen UK for the code (which they passed on at cost (£12 I think).

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 Sep 2006, 18:51

For the record the Blaupunkt radio in the VSX is a four digit code
nd can be anything it wants to be!

The way I found of getting around this is to find one of the auctions
for PC based decoders off ebay for under a fiver. They DO work and
can unlock any Xantia one I want. It's a fiddle to actually use the
software for me personally as I run a Mac both at home and at work,
and I don't want ANYTHING to do with PC's or the dodgy software they
use so I have the software running on my BIL's computer instead.

Actually I gave a copy to 3 people who run PC's and all of them over
a year or so have rather 'irresponsibly' lost the software due to their
PC 'going south' with corrupted HD's etc (I don't think that has anything
to do with the software I mention either!!

)

Sadly the software has only been written for PC users as there are
gazillions of them and there's a fast buck to be made selling them all a
copy for a fiver with no effort expended to actually do anything more
than the basic amount possible to get maximum returns...

I personally strongly believe Mac's are the computer equivalent of a
Citroen being totally brilliant to use and even look at but massively
misunderstood by the rank and file until sometimes 'freak' circumstances
actually make them think outside their blinkers and allow them to look
at and try what they've been missing with their DellFord...

Andrew

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 08 Sep 2006, 20:46

The software is actually out there for free. There's no need to pay anything for it. The people who create these calculator programs by and large do it out of the goodness of their heart, in the same way people on this forum pass on information to others who need help. It's not some Mac versus PC conspiracy.

The people charging a fiver a time on eBay however, are no different from the muppets who charge for information on how to reprogram a plip or reset a service light.

They'll exist for as long as there are people willing to fork out a few quid rather than do the legwork themselves, ie. read through a forum or do a search on Google.

Anyway, rant over. Here's a site where you can download code calculators for all kinds of radios:
http://fileshare.eshop.bg/list.php

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 Sep 2006, 21:11

But, but, but Ross, EVERYTHING IS A CONSPIRACY!!

I think you'll find, most Mac users are as polarised in their opinions
about this particular 'vice' as some can get about Citroens...

I never intended anything to be a Mac v's PC discussion, although
I probably fall into the trap at any given opportunity of singing their
praises as most here would about hydraulic Citroens to the
ignorant/uninitiated...

You're right though, I probably was being Lazy, although I didn't have
a native PC to download the programs you refer to (which I HAVE seen).

Andrew

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 08 Sep 2006, 21:29

Horses for courses I suppose.

Ayhoo, we're way OT here... I work with PCs and Macs and have heard the pros and cons of both a million times before. These conversations always end in an argument.

I'll finish by pointing all Intel-based Mac users can install Boot Camp and see what you're missing out on:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

Post by **philhoward** » 08 Sep 2006, 21:31

Ross_K wrote:Horses for courses I suppose.
I'll finish by pointing all Intel-based Mac users can install Boot Camp and see what you're missing out on:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

The blue screen on death, endless virii...the list goes on!

Back to the OT...got the same 2 codes from 3 decoders (thanks Ross_K)..will try them tomorrow!

Ross_K · Post by **Ross_K** » 08 Sep 2006, 21:33

Let us know how you get on 8)

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 Sep 2006, 22:01

Ross_K wrote:Horses for courses I suppose.

Ayhoo, we're way OT here... I work with PCs and Macs and have heard the pros and cons of both a million times before. These conversations always end in an argument.

I'll finish by pointing all Intel-based Mac users can install Boot Camp and see what you're missing out on:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/

Yep, the radio code is the point of this exercise and it sounds like Pete's
got it all under control!! It's worth it as the VSX one has a much better
sound with a good output (have you kept the high output door speakers
Phil?)

On the whole Macs OT my 1998 bondi blue iMac is still here in front of
me and it's working beautifully, I've never bothered finding out but
what about an equivalent 1998 PC? The ultimate test? It seems to be
'Parenntproof' when they're visiting and playing sillybuggers with my
iPhoto volumes...

Andrew