96 Jetta, battery change - Radio "Safe" mode

Not having the code means a visit to the dealer, and afterwards don't loose the code... write it down! You could remove the radio and stop by and see if the dealer will look up the code. At our dealer it's free if you prove you own the car. Personally what I do at work since no one ever has the code in the car or remembers the code, I connect a small 10amp battery charger to the cables to keep the car alive while changing the battery. I made myself an adapter which plugs into the cig lighter which saves a lot of time in that I don't need to pull the radio to get the numbers. But then again this could be your BIG chance to get a NEW radio just for Christmas!

Be sure to check your owner's manual and other documentation that came with the car. Chances are one of them had the code written on it. If you got it used and it did not come with this data, sorry. If you failed to keep that stuff, too bad.

Some of the radio codes were left on a tag under the trunk carpet if left there from the PDI, check there.

Yes, look around under the trunk carpeting. I went to the dealer to get the code (for free) and found the tag three years later.

--Andy

Alas, this is not a standard procedure so I doubt all dealerships do this. I would get the tool to take out the radio and then write down the tag information and take it to the dealer with proof of vehicle ownership.

In his original post he stated he got the car used and there were no papers with it .

Joe R (2+2=4, Itilian math)