Many Honda models come equipped with theft-deterrent systems within the radio or navigation system to prevent it from being stolen. So when the battery goes dead or is disconnected, the radio will lock itself, essentially making into a brick, until you enter the code specific to your vehicle that will unlock it and enable it to be used regularly again. In order to retrieve your code, you’ll need your vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN) and the serial number of the device you want to unlock.
Sep 14, 2018 The Honda car radio code is part of security features for your car audio system, and if your radio is flashing the word CODE, you will have to put in the unique code to use it again. Honda car radios are equipped with an anti-theft system, which basically renders the radio inoperable when a thief removes the radio from the vehicle.
Finding Your VIN
Finding your vehicle’s VIN is the first step. The 17-digit number can be found in several different places including:
- At the base of your windshield
- On your vehicle’s registration
- On your insurance statement or proof-of-insurance card
- On your Honda financial services statement
Finding the Serial Number
Once you have your vehicle’s VIN, you’ll next need to locate the serial number of the radio or device that you need to unlock. Some dealerships place the anti-theft ID card that comes with the vehicle inside of the glove box. Sometimes the serial number is written on a sticker on the inside of the glove box. If you own a 2001-year model or later, then you may be able find the serial number by looking at the device display.
If you own a Honda model from 2001 or earlier, the serial number is written on the back of the device, so you’ll need to take it in to your nearest West Michigan Honda Dealer for a service visit in order to gain access to it.
Retrieving the Code
Once you have the VIN and serial number, visit Honda’s website to retrieve your code. It will ask you for your phone number, zip code, and email address so that your code can be sent directly to you. The website has operational hours from Sunday through Friday 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. PDT and Saturday 4 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Learn More at West Michigan Dealers
Contact us or visit your nearest West Michigan Honda Dealer for more information or for assistance with retrieving your code to unlock your radio or navigation system.
Follow these steps to retrieve your radio code and reset your radio
To reset your radio you will need a radio code. Your local Honda dealer willneed the Serial Number from the radio (and later the Vehicle IdentificationNumber) to access Honda's database for radio codes.
NOTE: If your vehicle has navigation, your radio must be reset at a Hondadealership.
1.YOU WILL NEED PEN AND PAPER OR A DEVICE TORECORD THE SERIAL NUMBER ONCE YOU HAVE ACQUIRED IT FROM YOUR RADIO.
2.TURN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH OR USE THESTART BUTTON TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN THE AUXILIARY (NOT THE START OR RUN)POSITION.
3.TURN THE RADIO TO THE OFF POSITION. (The radioSHOULD NOT display CODE or ERR. The screen should be blank)
4.PRESS AND HOLD THE RADIO BUTTONS ONE (1) ANDSIX (6) TOGETHER WITH ONE HAND.
5.WHILE HOLDING BUTTONS 1 & 6 TURN THE RADIOON WITH YOUR FREE HAND.
6.WHEN HOLDING THE BUTTONS YOU WILL SEE AN 8DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER. (Some older models will display two separate serialnumbers. i.e. U1234 - L5678)
7.ONCE THAT SERIAL NUMBER IS DISPLAYED RELEASEBUTTONS 1 & 6 AND WRITE DOWN OR RECORD THE 8 DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER TO USELATER.
8. TO ACCESS AND RETRIEVE AND RETURN YOUR RADIOCODE TO YOU, YOUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER WILL ALSO NEED THE SEVENTEEN (17) DIGITVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (This 17 digit serial number is on a sticker onthe driver's center pillar post, and on the driver's side of the dashboardvisible under the windshield glass, also on your vehicle registration, and yourinsurance card). NEXT CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER WITH THE 17 DIGIT VEHICLEIDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND THE 8 DIGIT RADIO SERIAL NUMBER .
9.ONCEYOU HAVE OBTAINED THE 5 DIGIT RADIO CODE FROM YOUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER GO TO THE VEHICLE.
10.TURN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH OR USE THESTART BUTTON TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN THE AUXILIARY (NOT THE START OR RUN)POSITION.
11.TURN THE RADIO ON. THE RADIO SHOULD DISPLAY THEWORD 'CODE'. If the radio displays and error (ERR) message,disconnect the black negative under hood battery cable for 1 to 3 minutes toreset the system). TURN THE RADIO BACK ON AND LOOK FOR THE WORD'CODE'. ENTER THE 5 DIGITRADIO CODE. THE RADIO SHOULD COME BACK ON.