Ok, got my new AEM intake in the other day, and decided to install it. No big deal right? Disconnected the battery... yada yada, (intake installation noises here) anyway, intake install went perfect, no hangups at all. Got battery reconnected, and my radio is flashing "Code... Code...Code" so i figured what the hell, it's in the glove box... Two cards there, with two different codes/serial numbers...

Tried both cards, NOTHING. Error messages one after another. Called dealer out west since time was late and they're behind us on the east. He said I'd have to bring the car in, $90 to tear out the HU to get the serial number off the back... BS!

I let it be over night, too pissed to work on it any longer...

Today, i awake with a brilliant idea. Call Acura customer care and let them know how stupid this whole idea was... the man on the phone said he couldnt get me my code but could show me some way to help me out... He said, lemme look here in the manual and see what i can find... here were his instructions...

1. Turn the ignition to "on".
2. Turn the radio off. (make sure u haven't exhausted ur error tries, if you have, disconnect battery, wait 1 min and then check to see if "code" is displayed on radio)
3. Press and hold buttons 1 and 6 down.
4. While holding those two buttons, press the "power" button on the radio.

The unit will display four numbers and then change to another set of four numbers. THAT IS THE SERIAL NUMBER OFF THE BACK OF THE HEAD UNIT! Just call a local dealer and give them that serial number, they can look it up online and tell you the code in seconds! I did it this morning and the guy at customer service saved me $90! I was and still am really pissed that the dealer is doing this to people still when they obviously know that there is a walk around. I would LOVE to call up a local news station and have hidden cameras in on this when the dealer "takes out my head unit" to check that serial number... I can understand a $10 service charge for locating your serial number, no probs there, that's honest money, but when you take out almost a new Benjamin out of my pocket, now i'm getting pissed...

I searched all through these threads hoping that SOMEONE out there could help me and unfortunately i didnt find anything. I hope this thread spreads quickly so that people everywhere can stop being ripped off day in and day out from their dealers. That's BULL!

 

Great Info. This thread should be moved to DIY.

 

Awsome, Just needed this info

 

awesome. Best fix ever.

 

Don't need this now but may some day. Thanks!

 

that seems very shady of acura/honda. did they think this info would never leak out-not that it saves you thousands or something.

very interisting and a good find

 

same thing happened to me. Sorry I didnt read your thread I could of helped you out. But yeah 90 for that... bullshit. Good thing you saved that money.

 

Great Find-- I sincerely believe the dealer did not have a clue that this could be done. You ought to write to Acura and praise the guy that helped you. That was great service.

 

cool.... very useful...

thanks for the info..

 

Glad they helped you out, but just to let you know, it's been posted here long time ago! Like they say, search is your friend!

 

I hear ya, glad they helped me. Search is a great thing, trust me, i searched and searched, but no one had it blunt like the title to my post did. I posted just to share the info with others w ho might be in need.

 

Mods, this should be archived

 

.. I have NEVER seen this posted before.... Please show me what thread on Acurazine you seen this information posted in!!!!!!!!!!!

 

thanks a bunch... i'm hoping this will help me out. i just got the serial number and will be calling the dalership tomorrow to get my codes.

 

Check post number 39ish Smitty



Hope this helps, 03 CL TypeS

 

Perfect... Thanks. Now find a way to remove stuck CD's!!

 

hammer?

 

 

I just wanted to bump this because I just went through this situation. My battery practically died after installing my new system the other day, and it asked for the radio code; however I bought the car used and didn't have it on me. I ended up getting pissed off and calling the dealer. He basically told me the same thing: they need to tear out the radio, get the serial #, contact the headquarters or some shit, and get back to me a day or 2 later with it.

I ended up doing this method in the first post, wrote down the Serial #, called back the same dealer, happened to get the SAME guy, told him that I had the serial # for my radio but needed the code. He was like "Sure, give me one second." Thirty seconds later, he tells me the code, and I'm on my merry way. So people, DEFINITELY do this, even if you aren't having any problems. It's a good idea to have that radio code on hand. Thanks!

`John

 

Just a note of thanks for this fine thread.... As a used 2002 buyer, cards were nowhere to be found, and this solution enabled me to ask PAA for the code..... No problem......wow!

 

HELP, I tried exactly what you said, and the code isn't appearing, WHAT NOW!!!

 

 

Actually My Car Died Out On Thursday So I Needed The Radio Code, I Called Up My Boy At Acura, Apparently All They Need Is The Vin Number And They Can Get You The Code. Worked For Me!

 

Just the info I was looking for. Gotta try this out as my battery is dying at 95k miles.

 

The four-step procedure doesn't work w/ my '01 CL/S.

Ignition on.
Radio off.
Hold down 1 and 6
Turn on radio

. . . radio remains off; blank display, no codes, no nuthin'.

??? --MFT

 

My dad cleaned the battery terminals so it reset my radio and I can't find my code anywhere in the car, yes I looked in all the places it should be... Its not there ! I tried doing what it said above but it doesn't show my serial number

 

Nvm I did a search and didnt realize this is the 2nd gen forum

 

Bumping This Back Up!

 

I did pull the 8 digit serial number from the radio by pushing buttons 1 and 6 simultaneously and then push the power button, I called the Acura dealer he said there was an easier way..the 5 digit radio code was on white tape with black letters on inside of glove box....Wow it only took about 1 minute to reset with no money out of my pocket.

 

Ok, I don't see any code in a white sticker in the glove box. Would there be any chance that you removed the glove box and the sticker is under it?

 

Nevermind, I checked my girlfriends civic, and found that her plastic glove box contained the code, but yet mine didn't, since mine has this fuzzy material inside of it, I'm sure when I've pulled out papers from the glove it got unstuck and just flew out!

 

Ok, so I did as this post said, but!

Due to the fact that I live in Miami, FL and there's a lot of radio theft in my city, unfortunately the service employee did not give me the code over the phone. However, he said I needed my drivers license, as well as the cars registration, and I would need to show up at any Acura dealer and show proof I was the owner. So I did so, only to find out I had to pay $10, but after asking him endless questions on the car and transmission (in a nice way, of course) he let me off for free. So my trip wouldn't go in vain, I also purchased Acura oil/filter, as well as transmission oil (since Acura is special and doesn't accept any other type).

Anyways, just wanted to let the rest of you know. Hope this helps.

 

This radio code solution STILL WORKS! Just make sure that you hold and press 1 and 6 together WHILE turning the radio on. I called Acura and they did have a problem looking up my information, but the woman took out the letters and changed something (she didn't get specific) and called me with the code. It took less than an hour for her to retrieve and call me back. I have an '01 CL so I'm not sure if this works on older or newer models, but I just wanted to share with you that it STILL WORKS! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET YOUR RADIO RIPPED OUT AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET RIPPED OFF!!! DON'T LET ANYONE FOOL YOU!!! Some models do not have this option of pressing the #s to get the Serial Number. My suggestion is to find a friend who knows how to take the radio out or simply ask someone at Goodyear or a place like that. If they're in a good mood they'll do it!

 

pretty sure it only works for the 03 cl's not the 01 and 02. There is a link in the 2nd gen information thread about this...just fyi

 

I do have an '01 CL and it works when you press the 1 & 6 while turning it on...for all of you that were curious...

 

The procedure listed by the OP worked for me (03 CL).

The local Acura dealer said the serial number could be found in three locations:
1) a sticker on the front face of the glove box
2) the inner side of the lid to the power distribution panel in the engine bay
3) under the ash tray

 

Read this thread after getting the radio code message - worked like a charm.

 

good stuff!

 

Here is my new wrinkle to this. Driving down the street listening to the radio, sound stops, look down & see COD & e flashing. My Wife gets the card out I input the 5 digits & nothing happens. Get home read manual & input it again nada. WTF?

 

I pulled the fuse & entered the code & all is well.