Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Unlocking a Peugeot radio

Modern cars are funny. In an effort to reduce the incidence of car radio thefts, the devices need a code entered in them every time you remove the live power feed. In practical terms, if you disconnect the battery, or it runs flat, you have to re-enter the code to get some music.

That's not a huge problem if the car is new. On a second hand car it's no so good.

I disconnected the battery when I fixed the mileometer on my Peugeot 206, the radio stopped working. Luckily for me a previous owner had taken the time to write the four digit code in the manual. Unfortunately it was the wrong code.

I know this because when I entered the digits the radio didn't unlock. And when I did it again, twice, it locked up properly. I was not a happy bunny. Searching the web didn't help much either - no one seemed sure what to do. So I read the manual instead. Properly. Eventually. OK after 2 hours fruitless Googling...

First the right code was required. If you don't have it, the trick is to remove the radio, look at the numbers stamped on the case and then enter them into one of the many sites that will be presented if you enter "unlock peugeot radio code" into your favourite search engine.

Car Radio

To remove the radio, poke a long thin thing into the holes either side in the faceplate. A screwdriver worked for me but a knitting needle might be just as good. This releases the catches and the entire unit can be carefully slid out. Do not pull hard or quickly as it's still attached to the car with a lot of wires. You don't need to unplug anything as the codes are on the top of the case.

To return the radio, compress the long thing catches either side of the case, the ones you opened with your screwdriver, and slide the unit back. It should lock in position.

Once you have the correct unlocking code, power up the car (position A on the ignition) and enter it. Then listen to those bangin' tunez.

Position AUnless that is, the display still shows "Radio locked" as soon as you turn the key. That means you've entered the wrong code too many times. The solution is to use the spare key to turn the ignition to A (one click) and leave it in this state for a whole hour. Since you still have the main key handy, lock the car up and go and have a cup of tea. If you only have one key, sit in the car and read a book for an hour.

At the end of this period the central display should be asking you for the code. Enter the right code and all will be well. Then write the code down somewhere you'll remember it if required again.

Oh, and if you've read anything online about sticking the radio in the freezer to achieve the same effect, forget it. That hasn't worked for many years. In fact you'll probably stuff the thing up as moisture will form inside and do the electrics no good at all.

Happy listening.

Legal note: This is an accurate description of what I did. If you chose to follow these instructions and things don't work, it's not my fault. Sorry.

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you :) xxxxxx

steve bambrough said...

thanks had no radio for peugout 206 as it locked totally and found your advice ,this worked wonders....the tunes are loud again cheers

Anonymous said...

cheers mate - work perfectly :)

Anonymous said...

it actually works thank you

Anonymous said...

I have a 1997 peugeot 306 with a Blaupunkt radio. I just replaced the car battery, removing the live feed, so now I need to input the code. The problem is the code begins with a zero, fine, except the number buttons on the radio are 1-6, no zero! I know this is the correct code as I remember inputting it a few years ago, trouble is I can't remember how! Anyone have any ideas?

Anonymous said...

Worked a treat brilliant Thank you

Dušan Czech rep. said...

Than You very much, this work perfectly :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you it does work :)could not get radio to work does now

Anonymous said...

Do you have to leave the key in that position or would driving for an hour work?

Phil Parker said...

I think you have to leave it and not drive but can't be sure. If the lights are off, the battery should be OK.

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much!!! I have waited 2 months to see the enter code in the display and with your indication i have resolved the problem! You are a genious!!! Many thanks

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the info Phil, really helpful.

My serial and part numbers as follows:

BP8146X4784401
7648146392

Can anyone suggest a code please?

Unknown said...

how to get a code for my car???
i tried some codes but still locked.
BP 8146Y5910561
PEUGEOT T1NIV2
7648146392
thanks for your help

said...

Which sites have people used to get the correct code I can't find one

Unknown said...

Thank you :) xx

Emily said...

How do you know if you can enter the code if there is no display? Mines exactly the same as the one in the picture?

bill said...

hi there
i tried same method its still locked....:(
i want to ask that shall i leave the radio on or turn it on after 1 hour...
i am confuse plz help

Anonymous said...

Thanks

Anonymous said...

my code is 0910, how do i enter the 0's and 9?

Anonymous said...

If it's like a ford then press 1 until the 0 shows then press 2 nine times press 3 once and 4 until 0 shows probably 10 times.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this. You have saved me a great deal of frustration!

Anonymous said...

Can anyone give me a code to try pls :) @ anonymous it helps if u just take off the battery.

Anonymous said...

Try 582

Anonymous said...

I have a bipper with a code that ends in a 9. Dose anyone know how I enter this as I only have 6 numbers and each number won't scroll from 1-9.

Anonymous said...

If you can't find your code go to a peugot dealer. It will cost you £20 to get the code though but worth it to stop it locking over and over again. However it does have to be the original radio that came with the car if you havnt the code they give you won't work.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Phil, your instructions really worked (1st time) and were very helpful unlike Peugeot dealers who suggested a new radio was the only answer. Thanks again.

Emma said...

Thank you so much! I had locked my radio by putting in the wrong code 3 times! having then found the correct code (should have done this first) I followed your instruction by putting in the key, turning once and leaving it and it worked, it came up with enter code. Result, you are a star! Music again!

Unknown said...

Hi im looking for a code for my peugeot expert van and I am struggling to find anything I have had the van from new and receintly had the battery changed. I thought I still had the code but have misplaced it.
The model is pu2294a
Serial : CL040150996320 C

if anyone has any code suggestions I would be very grateful.

Anonymous said...

In most peugeots, the display is right below your window

Anonymous said...

Hi Emily.

I presume you refer to the multifunction display just above the hazard warning button.
If this shows no display, it is almost certainly due to a very common fault.

The unit uses an LCD which is backlit by four 12V instrument bulbs. They are inserted into holders formed as part of a moulding which is fed with 12V from a 3 pin female header surface mounted on a PCB which contains the LCD controller and other odds and ends. The whole assembly snaps together and with luck, two pins insert themselves into the header. The PCB layout designer should be tarred and feathered because it is VERY difficult to avoid stressing the soldering between the header and the PCB during assembly. Usually one tag separates and you get an intermittent contact which extinguishes the bulbs. Should have used a through hole part, shouldn't he? After all there's an 18 pin one right by.

It is repairable, but needs great care, by resoldering the header to the board then EXTREMELY CAREFULLY snapping the assembly back together using as many fingers as possible from both hands applying pressure EVENLY so that you don't recreate the original problem. You will need a temperature controlled soldering iron with a fine tip suitable for SMT work, steady hands and good eyesight or an illuminated magnifier. I have some photos of one I did earlier if anyone's interested.


Anonymous said...

Thanks Phil. Just been out and frozen in my car but this does work! Though being a French car she does seem to have reverted completely to French.
The thing to remember is to leave the radio on when the key is in.

Anonymous said...

I did this too...leave it on and enjoy the white noise. It will come back to life and you will get 4 dashed lines indicating you need to put the code in.

Anonymous said...

This worked perfectly... UNTIL... I started entering my code and I hsve realised why it locked in the first place, the numbers I press dont correspond to the number that appears on the display?! So if I press 1, then a 4 might appear on the display! And this changes everytime, so the next time I press 1, then a 3 might appear! Any ideas why this is happening??

Anonymous said...

YES THIS WORKS!!

I had 10 Error on my display and couldn't do anything. Didn't believe it was going to work, but I followed Phil's instructions and now I have a perfectly working radio!

Thank you so much Phil, you're awesome!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much Phil, you're awesome!

This fix my 10 Error code on my Peugeot 106 radio.

Anonymous said...

Hooray for the internet and genius people like you Phil. Size 11 knitting needles saved me from driving in silence. You're a star.

sly said...

Hi, thanks for help, the radio say error 14 what can i do that??

Phil Parker said...

Try the reset again? No idea what error 14 is I'm afraid.

Davi said...

Thanks a million for posting this Phil! It worked within 30 minutes :)

Unknown said...

Hi, Thanks for the help. It resolved the problem within 30mins. U are good

Anonymous said...

Thanks. It worked on a 106 after 20 minutes!

Anonymous said...

Can someone help I just bought a second hand peugeot 206 and the battery went dead,I got it going now and the cd player won't come on there is nothing��so ant help will be appreciated as I love my music!

Little Eaton fox said...

Thanks

Worked in 30 minutes for

Unknown said...

Help please, have the code for my radio and it enters OK and radio works but everytime I turn off the engine I have to re enter the code. Does anyone know which key to press on the radio to save this,
Thanks

Anonymous said...

I have had to buy a new radio for my Peugeot 207, I bought an identical radio from a salvage but does anyone know where I could get code from as I'm assuming Peugeot will only know the code for my old broken radio?

Milos said...

hi i need radio code for my Peugeot 206, searched over net but couldnt find it. Would be nice if someone can help.
Part no: 96 422 268 80
Serial: BP8146Y8641411
Model Peugeout T1Niv2 7 648 146 392
ty in advance :)

Scotty said...

Does this work when the 7error is displayed?

Phil Parker said...

Sorry - No idea. The post is all I know. I've only unlocked one radio and that's what I described.

Unknown said...

I have my Peugeot 206 code.. but my display screen is not good so I can't see anything,how do I now unlock my radio

Unknown said...

Won't leaving the key on A, drain the battery?

Phil Parker said...

Yes, but it is only for an hour so the battery should be fine if it's in reasonable condition.

Unknown said...

Last stupid question, does it have to be an hour without interruption or will it resume from time spent?

Phil Parker said...

Without interruption.

Unknown said...

Just had work done on my 206 and the display when turning the radio on in the central display unit comes up with a key symbol and "----" the garage left the key in position A for 2 hours this morning as it is back in for more work and the fault hasn't cleared to enable the code to be entered. was wondering what could be wrong?

Anonymous said...

I have just had some work done on my Peugeot 206 that required the battery to be removed and now when switching the radio on i get a key symbol and "----" showing on the central display and even after 2 hours of the key being on position A the radio wont recode was wondering what to try next.

Unknown said...

Before paying for an unlock code, try this.
There are usually two barcodes on the body of the radio. Take the last 4 digits of the second (or lower) barcode, add 1 to the first digit, 2 to the second, 3 to the third and 4 to the forth. If any of those numbers are now more than 6 then subtract 6 from that number. That will hopefully be your code. Worked for me anyway (from a youtube vid I found :-)

Anonymous said...

Good day! I simply wish to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent info you've got here on this post.
I'll be returning to your website for more soon.

Unknown said...

Woow!!! Thank you. It really works..just did it.

Unknown said...

Thanks, it works perfectly in lest than 30min.

Stefi said...

I have 2003 206, and working display, but it shows only time, when i connected radio (blaupunkt) nothing changes.. how do i turn on radio or connect it with display? And yeah, i have white wire with really small jack on the end that goes from lower radio jack, and i dont know where to plug it in.. i hope someone can help me :)

Unknown said...

This was helpful. I did it and it worked perfectly. Thanks, Phil.