None of my radio codes work!

[patregnier]

I recently bought a used 98 S70. We had the battery replaced and now
the radio is asking for a code. Here's what I've done so far:

--Called a dealer and got the code from the VIN. Entered it and got an
"eeee" message. After three tries, radio goes into "Off" position.
--Drove around for two hours to get radio back on, so that it says
"Code" again.
--Went into another dealership. This time they got the code from the
serial number on the radio itslef. (Different number than the one for
the VIN.) Tried that, too--and again, nothing but an "Eeee" message.

This is a bit of mystery. The code that corresponds to the radio serial
number really should work. The guy at the dealership and I double
checked all the numbers and we're stumped. Anybody else run into this?
Any suggested solutions, short of giving up and buying a new radio?

 

[Peter K L Milnes]

Try the 1111 or 0000 code. Sometimes this is the code(s) used when someone
has changed the code. If it does not work with that then take it to an ICE
specialist who will have the equipment to read the code direct from the
radio's chip. Once the radio works then change the code to suit you or the
original code used. You should have made a note of the code before
disconnecting the battery if possible. Is there a handbook with the car
which may have the code noted down?

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

 

[Peete]

I found the radio code written inside the fuse box in the engine
compartment of my 98 S70... I guess the previous owner had written it
there. Good luck!

 

[Chris Bowne]

The code for the radio in my recently acquired 98 XC70 is written in
permanent marker by someone who serviced the car in the past right on the
radio chassis! Kind of defeated the purpose of having an antitheft code in
the radio, but seriously, how much of a risk is there of someone ripping off
a double sized stock Volvo radio in the first place?

Chris Bowne
Stonington, CT
98 V70XC 110K

 

[User]

The code for the radio in my recently acquired 98 XC70 is written in
permanent marker by someone who serviced the car in the past right on the
radio chassis! Kind of defeated the purpose of having an antitheft code in
the radio, but seriously, how much of a risk is there of someone ripping off
a double sized stock Volvo radio in the first place?

Chris Bowne
Stonington, CT
98 V70XC 110K

There are so many reasons to disconnect the battery or remove the radio
on late model cars that just about every tech that has to waste an hour
finding a radio code the first time will write it on the chassis for
next time. Ex: Change out the battery, replace the shift position sensor
(remove battery and battery tray for access), cruise control repair
(tubing leak under the battery tray), ECC panel repair (slide out the
radio for access), SRS repairs (disconnect the battery), clutch or
transmission replacement...the list goes on and on. Unless the owner has
left the code card in the glove box wallet, it literally takes an hour
to have people do the dance and jump through all the hoops to get back
to you with the code that as in this case may or may not work.

Unfortunately, Volvo hasn't seen fit to provide a tool or procedure to
retrieve the code prior to dropping memory current to the unit. So the
act isn't as altruistic as it seems to the owner who discovers that his
radio code is written on the unit. It's because whoever worked on the
car understands the odds are good that they will see that car again and
have the battery off or out for something else.

Bob