prolix21

this might be a dumb question, but how do i enter the radio code? my car was broken into and they stole all the manuals, did about $1800 worth of damage and i got the car back today. battery must have been disconnected at the shop b/c the radio wants the code. i have the code here (luckily) but without a manual i have no idea how to enter it. i tried to just enter it when i had the radio on but didn't get anything. i'm assuming there is some command i have to enter first. help!

Dan Martin

just push the numbers!

prolix21

did that, no joy.

it's possible i've got the wrong code :\ damn criminals, making my life difficult. the invoice from when they replaced the center stack (i suffered from the dreaded lights-out effect) had the code on it, thats the code i tried. typo at the dealer?

i know the integra's or tl's had some secret key combo that would reveal the code. any chance the tsx has one? doubtful but worth asking

acuratsx03

isnt the code etched somewhere on the passenger side? i read on another thread somewhere that it was over there. i remembered cause someone said that if they stole the HU they wouldnt have the code, and some replied saying its like written somewhere... i dont know, do a search tho. sorry to hear about the bad new though. injustice to a tsx anywhere, is an injustice to tsx's everywhere!

acuratsx03

found it... http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...ght=radio+code

prolix21

thanks, i'll check and see if my code is inside that liner. problem is my head unit was replaced earlier, would they put a new sticker on there? i know the sticker isn't on my glovebox, that was replaced as part of the repair after the car was broken into. i can't seem to win with this stuff :\

thanks for the help

prolix21

no sticker in the trunk. gonna check the fuse box in the engine compartment after work. having no radio is a slow painful torture. i can't even play cds (or stop the clock from flashing!!!)

Newplay1

Check the lid of the fuserbox that is located under the hood.

prolix21

total bust on the trunk and fuse box. opened just about every other compartment i could find. nothing. the new code for my radio is the invoice from when they replaced it but that code doesn't work at all. i turn the radio on. hit the code and it just sits there saying error. driving around with no radio is making me insane

Newplay1

Your final last resort... rip the radio out and back of the radio it has the Serial Number you write that down and call Acura Customer Service.

Dan Martin

Why not just take it back to the dealer and get them to enter it for you? I wouldn't rip the stereo out since they're the ones that screwed up.

prolix21

talked to acura, they tried to look it up but whatever tech replaced the radio when i had it in for service cleared out the old # in the records, but never put the new one in. the code i have on the invoice from the repair doesn't work. the gm at the dealer is trying to find out what it is... all the while i've got no radio

what fun

jlukja

Dayum. That sucks.

prolix21

just to make sure i'm not missing something let me tell you what i'm doing (since they stole the owners manual i can't even look this up...)


i turn the car on. turn the radio on, get the error msg, says code
i just type the code in right? dont have to hold any other keys in or anything?

5 digit code is what i have from the replacement invoice

Tsx536

Yes that is right...
And as you are inputing each number..you will see the letters showing up to spell the word "CODE"
After the 5th number is pressed then the radio tuner will go on to 87.7.

You even be able to guess the radio code. This would be tedious, but I think it would work since there are only 6 numbers to choose from.

Start at 1 and then go to 6. This might require pulling the harness out of the factory radio quite a bit after each time you mess up, but it should work.

Each time Just enter a different number and look for a new letter to show up on the display.

To get to the factory wire harness just remove the storage bin. Reach up underneath the middle and you will feel the 20 pin harness. Pull it out. Then just plug it in part way without snapping it all the way in. This will allow you to unplug and plug it back in without any problems. It is a little more dangerous, but it will work. You might blow a fuse. Just have some 10A mini fuses ready. The power for the factory radio goes to Fuse #5 or #6. It is whatever fuse that is label as the "Interior Light" fuse.

Good Luck man!

prolix21

so if the wrong code is put in you have to unplug the unit to reset it?

i wonder if the wrong code was entered at one point and that's why me just typing in my code doesn't work. should i reset the thing by unplugging it?

Tsx536

I am not sure what happens when the wrong code is put in. If is like other things that are code protected, then it might not allow the unit to turn at all after the wrong codeis entered too many times.

This how to test it. Just push each number 1-6. You're going to have to turn the ignition off after each press. See if any one of those numbers will make a "C" show up on the screen.
If it does then the deck should be unlockable. If you never see a C then the deck might be permanently locked.

I'm not sure if turning off the ignition will do the trick. Another alternative to pulling the storage bin and harness out is too pull out Fuse #6. This should be the interior light fuse.
It controls interior lights but also power to deck. You can do that in between trying different starting numbers.

FYI: The fuse box in located on the driver side kick panel right next to you left foot. It slides out perpendicular to the the seat.

Hopefully this works for you! Good luck!

prolix21

Thanks Tsx536!

The suggestion about resetting it worked like a charm. The reason my code didn't work is b/c the head unit was locked. Maybe the shop tried to enter a wrong code or something.

The fix was to turn the car on, turn the radio on then yank fuse 6. That forced the head unit to reset (I pulled it and put it back in while it was off and it had no effect, had to yank it while the unit was on). So after the fuse was pulled I turned the car off, re-inserted then restarted the car. Got the code screen, entered my code and walla! fixed!

I'm leaving for a trip in a half hour and I'm so happy the radio works. I was dreading the long silent drive.

Thanks for everybodys help!

Tsx536

I'm very glad to hear that is works for you.

It was funny. I blew Fuse #6 the other and I thought that the drive to AutoZone to pick up a new fuse was a long drive. You must have been going insane without a radio!

I bet the stock stereo system has never sounded so good! Haha

Have fun!