the dealer whats to charge me 35$ for the code and to bring them the radio is it hard to remove they want the serial # on the back

 

acura customer service (800) 382-2238 tell them your vin number and theyll give u the code for free. no taking anything apart.

 

10 min job to remove 4 first timer. its very easy. Unfortunatly the diy site is down with step by step instructions.

Remove the wood trim pieces remove the screws that you see, there are 2 more in the bottom of the center console, slide back and unplug harness and remove. Remove teh drivers side fuse panel cover and remove the 1 screw holding the knee panel on and remove that. then you will see 1 screw holding the side panel of the center console. The passenger side doesnt have teh hidden screw. then pop out the silver trim ring around the shifter and remove teh screws holding that console piece on. then remove teh radio screws (some on the sides) and the radio should come out

 

do you really have to take out the radio for them to give you the code

 

thanks i called they showed me how to get the serial # from the radio with out taking it out

 

And did it work?

 

Glad to hear you got it working! I just went through the same routine yesterday (left key turned to on when clearing headlights). Apparently the radio wasn't the original so the security code I was given didn't work. I pressed button 1 and 6 at the same time, turned it on and it displayed L#### and N####, and those numbers (without the L or N) were the serial. Called the dealer and about 5 minutes later I had tunes again.

Thanks to these forums I had some options before seeing the dealer in person. fsttyms1 had suggested disconnecting the antenna and/or checking to make sure your serial matches the code you were given, others had suggested searching for the code in various places on a sticker, and others suggested using a 1+3 or 1+6 combination to retrieve your serial. Thanks for all the options everyone.

 

you called and got it( they told me bring in the serial # and 35$)

 

yes hold the 1 and 6 at the same time and turn the power on for the radio

 

Yup free of charge.

I did called the day before to get the code but they couldn't find my file. The next day I called back, specifically mentioned I was a given a code by that dealership that didn't work, but they still hadn't found my file. He said I could drop by and get the code and they could start a new file for me... I really didn't feel like going up there so I specifically asked the gentleman: "If I call back with the serial number can you lookup the security code for me?" and mentioned the fact that I thought someone had swapped the radio. I called back 5 minutes later, got a different person who seemed to be hesitant to help me but he did pass me back over to the first guy and 2 minutes later I had the correct code.

I should mention this is an 02 TLs (need to fix my sig)... not sure if that makes a difference for the key sequences or not.

 

I have an '02 TL-S and actually found the radio and navigation codes right underneath my fuse box cover. The radio code is the 5 digit code with a series of 8 digits below that begin with "AD". The navigation code is the 4 digit code with a series of 9 digits that begin with "B".

Example:
Radio Code
12345
AD012345

Navigation Code
1234
B01234567

Excuse the noob if this is old news. I called Acura customer service and they would only give me the codes if I gave the serials off the radio and the navigation unit. There's no easy way of finding that without removing the units.

 

Unless you can get an inspection mirror in behind the radio to read the serial number- thats what you need to have- remove and take in or photocopy

then the dealer will FOR FREE look up the code for you
If you are willing to pay $35- more beer money for them!

If you cant get the radio out yourself- any audio/ car stereo place can for about 50-60$
Then you xerox the back of the radio and take the paper in to dealer with car registration
Its all designed to prevent radio theft- disconnect the power- it goes into lockdown

Some years had a tag inside the fuse cover under the hood.
Others hand written on a biz card in the owner book
Some hand written on the edge of the glovebox door
The 4 digits is all you need for the radio and 5 for the navi
some years may vary

when you register at www.acura.com owner link
they have a secure file you can store the codes- just in case!

 

great information!

 

On my 1999, there was a label (actually 2 labels) about the size of a return adress label inside the trunk by the rear speaker that had the 5 digit number on it as well as a second 8 digit number that started with a "B". I've also heard people suggest i) inside the cover of the fuse block lid ii) on the side of the glove box iii) under the cup holder iv) bottom side of the coin holder v) door jams vi) under armrest

 

once you have it, register here and they store it in a secure file for you
https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/login.asp?brand=acura

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I just did it!