Ford car radio help wanted please - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: christopher iles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 06:45:09 am
content: Hello,I recently bought my partner a 2004 Ford Ka and the radio/cd didn't work.I removed the radio, fixed a connection problem and powered it up on my bench. I noticed that the radio was a 2006 model.The radio asked for the code which I had on a Ford label that was in the glove box. I entered that (0176)which it accepted but then came up with a car registration RX02 PLJ.I can't get any further than that and have tried pressing all combinations of buttons with no success.Is there any way that I can fix this or should I buy a new radio?All replies would be most appreciated.Many thanks for reading this and hope that you may be able to help me.Regards, Chris.

author: Anks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 08:22:42 am
content: what exact model of radio is it? Sounds like the code you entered was incorrect. There are other ways to unlock these radios but without the exact model and maybe even a picture its hard to say.Also can you see a serial number.

author: BMK
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 09:59:39 am
content: Still on your bench?Often needs connection to vehicle LIN/CAN to behave properly.I've never seen registration plate stored anywhere in a vehicles systems, only VIN. Possibility this code coincidentally looks like a uk reg plate no?

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 11:55:19 am
content: I'd sling it or strip it for bits and get a new fascia and a cheap Sony radio. Stuff like this always ends up a time sink.

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 11:58:32 am
content: That's almost certainly not a registration number, they don't get stored in head units.Possibly you have the wrong code, depending on the actual model of headunit you may be able recover the correct code from theserial number.

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 07:13:05 pm
content: It is a registration number,It is for a Silver Ford KA Collection, 1.3, I suspect it has been scrapped as there are no recent records for it.I've never known a stereo store a registration number though, very odd!2002 model probably won't have CAN, might have LIN for steering wheel controls or external display and such like, but I suspect it is "self contained" for that year.

author: TassiloH
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 08:39:05 pm
content: I remember that with older Ford car radios (I only have experience with pre-2000 models) the user could store his license plate number in the radio and the radio would display it after a wrong code was entered. So the keycode must have been wrong...

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 08:44:02 pm
content: Quote from: TassiloH on March 18, 2016, 08:39:05 pmYes, I had one like that.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 08:57:46 pm
content: I reverse engineered a serial decoder crack tool for these Ford/Visteon radios a decade ago. PM me the serial no of your unit (It should start with 'M' IIRC) and I will dig through my old code and give it a whirl.Yes the registration number is an optional security measure that the owner can program into these radios. Back in the day a lot of them got stolen.(You could also trawl the Internet for a "Ford L/M/C decoder" but trying to find one without a payload of virus' from Russian hack/crack sites and then risking running the .EXE is not worth it!)

author: donkey77
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2016, 08:19:19 am
content: I remember being able to add the reg number to my old escort head unit back in the day. I would imagine the code you found and entered belonged to the original unit that appears to have already been replaced.Not sure if this will help:http://www.pumapeople.com/decode.php

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2016, 08:30:03 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on March 18, 2016, 08:57:46 pmOr you could just click the link in my post above

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2016, 08:34:28 pm
content: Quote from: mikerj on March 19, 2016, 08:30:03 pmActually donkey77's link is better as it is all done on the web server with no unsigned .exe's to download.