Disconnected battery - now no radio and headlights flashing

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 04 Dec 2010, 09:27

Ok, flat battery yesterday, so I did the silly thing and put it in the shed to charge.

Not only did I shut the bonnet (!) and had to force down the (luckily dodgy) window to get and release that, I then found out that the radio doesn't work, and the headlights flash at weird times, and can only over-ridden by switching them on and generally fiddling about.

So I guess I need a radio code, and you guessed it - I have no idea where it is, nor where to get it.

Any ideas what I can do, please?

Post by **CitroJim** » 04 Dec 2010, 09:48

Hi Tim,

No worries. The alarm is set and if you don't have working plips, disconnect the battery again, reconnect it and then switch on the ignition whilst holding down the ultrasonic defeat switch on the dash, the switch that has a crossed out loudspeaker symbol on it.

You should see the hazards operate whilst the alarm is resetting. It will stay so until you again disconnect the battery.

If you PM me the FULL serial number of the wireless, I can supply a code for it...

There, no worries at all

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 04 Dec 2010, 09:52

It's worth pulling the radio out to see if somebody has written the code on the unit, I always do. Scour the handbook, door pockets etc. for a disembodied 4 digit number. I've seen radio codes inside the steering wheel boss (pre-airbags of course) and written on the headlining under the sun visor.

The headlights thing will be the alarm, you can probably cure that by pulling the alarm fuse.

Edit- Jim beat me to it and with better solutions.

Post by **CitroJim** » 04 Dec 2010, 10:08

That's an excellent set of tips for hunting down the radio code Richard

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 04 Dec 2010, 10:12

i thought it states in the owners hand book to switch on the ignition then press and hold the volumetric alarm button (ultrasonic defeat switch ) within so many seconds of turnning the ignition on, and untill the hazards lights go off,

regards malcolm

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 04 Dec 2010, 10:32

I'm really short of time right now, but I'll digest what you've both said and get back sometime.

One Q, Jim... you mention, "holding down the ultrasonic defeat switch on the dash, the switch that has a crossed out loudspeaker symbol on it. " - I'm not sure I follow that. There is a red light flashing just to the left of the clock,, but it doesn't appear to be pushable.

Also, what are, "working plips"?

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 04 Dec 2010, 10:38

the ultrasonic defeat switch (volumetric alarm button)
is just to the right of the steering wheel,

and a plip is you remote locking/unlocking device/key fob, and if working you can simply lock and unlock your car with this to reset your alarm

regards malcolm

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 04 Dec 2010, 10:43

Sorry, I was in the shower (said I was busy!) and either my boy or girl got here and played with the messages!

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 04 Dec 2010, 10:45

Now to the school bazzar and then a hundred other things.

Later.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 04 Dec 2010, 10:46

yer ok

regards malcolm

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 04 Dec 2010, 16:17

Right, some breathing space...

I was in the car on another errand when I found the ultrasonic defeat switch so fiddled with it a couple of times, and however it's done it, I think it's done it! I mean, no more flashing headlights.

The radio... I'll have to spend a bit more tim eon that, and it's getting dark now, so I doubt an excursion to the car is likely before tomoz.

I don't have much in the way of paperwork for the car, so I might be looking for advice on removing the radio/wireless to find the code.

Thanks all.

ps, as an aside, I flogged somethings on eBay and the guy turned up today in an XM! I'd never seen one close up before. Looked very nice, I must say, and noticed it had leather seats! Sorry for hijacking my own thread.

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 04 Dec 2010, 17:39

Couldn't resist a trip to the car to have a look at the radio.

I can't tell very much at this stage, but I did manage to peel back the fascia from around the radio, and I could see two bolts/screws on either side of the unit.

Is it a simple question of removing these two, Jim? To get the rear of the wireless?

arkweld · Post by **arkweld** » 04 Dec 2010, 18:35

Exuze the hijack , got the ashtray out to remove a screw before the surround , though whilst on the subject of the original radio/cassette ,has anyone had any tape mechanism failure as mine has stopped . Also is there better a way of improving radio reception whilst foraging . thx . maybe another couple of foot of ariel wire

Post by **CitroJim** » 04 Dec 2010, 18:56

Napoleon wrote: Is it a simple question of removing these two, Jim? To get the rear of the wireless?

Yes, that's it Tim, undo the two silver coloured Torx screws, one each side of the wireless and then gently withdraw the wireless. The serial number will be on the side of it on a white label.

Napoleon · Post by **Napoleon** » 04 Dec 2010, 19:02

Thx, I'll try to grab a peek tomorrow.

Glad I bought all that vast range of Torx, now! A use, at last.