Bought a second hand Volvo recently and the car radio was locked with a code. The seller has been uncontactable since.
I was told I could get the code from a volvo dealer apparently they have a database so I called a local dealer. Gave him the reg number and vin and the car is not on the volvo database. So we are unable to unlock the radio.
Is there a default code for the radio at all? Is there anythiing we can do to get around this other than buying a new radio?
"Over here" they also have codes listed by radio serial number. There's a good chance the radio in your car is not the original one, in which case the original code won't work.
I had a similar problem with a Ford radio. I bought a little piece of software for about £2-£3 from someone on eBay. It worked fine. There may be a version for Volvo radios.
What are the make, model and serial number of the radio?
It's very unlikely for the car not to be on the database - unless it was a grey import. There's no default code - that would defeat the security measure!
Do you have any evidence of which dealer supplied the car when it was new - maybe a stamp in the service book, or the dealer name on the number plates? If so, contact the original dealer. They will probably want to see some proof that you do really own the car.
Is there any evidence that the radio isn't the original? If so, you're
*really* stuffed!
No evidence of anything I am afraid. The car was purchased second hand privately. We cannot get hold of the seller (proably due to the fact they conned us with the MOT, but thats another story). We have no logbook or anything but it is now legally ours and we know from the DVLA that it is not stolen. I think we are stuffed. Now the question is, how difficult is it to remove the old radio? It looks original to me as it all fits in with the dashboard as if it was designed for it.
Thankyou. What should I be searching for?
Not quite sure how to actually open up the dash to get to the back of the radio at the moment.
I don't know if you're in the UK or somewhere else. A UK only eBay search brings up 80 listings for Volvo radio decode. You may also find freeware to download on the internet if you're lucky.
It's also worth searching for forums. Some car forum members are happy to help FOC. They'll need the make model and serial number of the radio.
BTW - in my case the radio had been locked out (the wrong code had been tried too many times). I had to rig a power lead so that it had power for 12 hours before I could try entering a code again. You may need to do something similar.
Another possibility is to take it to a car audio specialist.
There should be no need to replace the radio just for a missing code.
Thanks for the help. If I downloaded something how would I connect it to the radio?
You don't. You run the software on a PC and enter the make, model and serial number of the radio. It generates a code which should be the one you need to get your radio working.
type volvo , type radio + serial radio reply by mail change _xx_ = oo , x=o , x=o
D.
oeps...
change _xx_ = oo , x=a , x=o , x=a , x=e
Ah I see thankyou, sorry I was have a brain fog moment :-)
I was never any good at algebra ;-)
What model and age of car is it?
Its a Volvo 240 gle around about 1992 (K reg). Just hit upon another problem, I phoned Volvo today and the VIN does not exist on their database. Now its all legally taxed, MOT'd, and the registration document is due back from the DVLA in the next few days, so everything else all seems okay. Its just this VIN thing. It is the correct VIN as we got it checked out with a HPA check and the VIN they gave does coincide with the one on the chassis, but Volvo do not recognise it.
Second time this has been asked...
What type of Volvo (model), which radio? :)
Sorry I did just reply up there :-)
Volvo 240 gle K reg (1992 ish)
Cannot tell what model of radio it is at the moment as the car is not at home at this precise moment.
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