Do I Need A Radio Code?

[bilbo--baggins]

My Xsara didn't come with a radio code, and now the garage I'm trading it to is asking for it. I remember reading that the radio's are coded to the vehicle - so does this mean that there is no code to enter if the battery is disconnected? It's a 2003 2.0 HDI LX. The radio is a VDO/Philips 22RC220/35.

 

Out of curiosity - what else should have come with the car? I got one remote key, one plain key, and I have a replacement card with a number written on for ignition, but nothing in the remote box.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hello Mr Baggins!

 

Your Xsara has a central processor which recognises the radio it has installed. If you get another radio it must be programmed with the vehicle vin number before the processor will recognise it and power it up. Basically much better than a 4 digit code which can be lost or forgotten. This means that you can disconnect the battery and when you connect up again the radio will be ok. Any other radio will not work until it's been programmed. Nor will yours work in another car until it's been re-programmed.

 

As far as I can tell, you have everything you should. My Picasso also has one plain and one remote key and when I asked the dealer about it, he told me they are both fully functioning keys which will both start the car as even the "plain" key has a chip in it.

 

If you know the dealer who initially supplied the car (Look at the number plate for a phone number) they will be able to give you all the info you need as they will still have it all on record.

 

Cheers. Hope this helps. :)

[Jonno]

Hello Mr Baggins!

 

Your Xsara has a central processor which recognises the radio it has installed. If you get another radio it must be programmed with the vehicle vin number before the processor will recognise it and power it up.

 

Is that strictly true??

 

I contacted my Citroen dealership and Audio Island (a local car sound system installation place)

I asked them whether I could install a kenwood head unit and a multichanger without any problems with the BSI unit not recognising it. The answer from both places was "Yes, you can fit the head unit without any bother at all and the only things that wont work would be the display (for radio station/CD track info and the remote stalk on the steering column)"

Upon refitting the original radio cassette that was originally installed in the vehicle it would power up and operate as normal - no codes needed.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Jonno

 

You're absolutely right of course. I had forgotten about anyone wanting to fit a 3rd party head unit as I am quite happy with the standard sounds. What I meant was the standard fit radios are coded to a specific vehicle and won't work in any other.

 

My preference is for the steering wheel controls and the integrated display over the marginal (to me) gains in sound quality acheived by changing everything out. I have Tinitus, :) and it sounds like a small jet engine in my head at times, so you maybe understand why I'm not that bothered about a fancy sound system! I do, however still enjoy music and have recently ordered an Xcarlink MP3 gizmo for my Picasso that fits the standard radio and fools it into thinking it has an autochanger installed. Check it out at http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/

 

Cheers. Happy listening! :D