sorry i didnt feel like reading every thread but this is what I did for my radio code. there is a sticker on the side of the glovebox when you open it. there is a number on it. thats the same number thats on the BACK of your stereo.(dealership doesnt say anything aobut it cuz then they couldnt rip you off to take the stereo out and look up the number). anyways, I took the number and called the dealer, gave him the number over the phone and he gave me the code. did even ask me if that was my car.

how to change it from the USA
to Canada. is their any thread on it already?

Do you mean use it in Canada??- buy the Canada DVD for it

what version is it? and can i buy it from acuranavi.com

you do have to pull the radio on some models, if the serial number isnt displayed in the glove box or on the side of the radio under the side trim piece.

1 and 6 works on most 03's and up, some 02 models depending on manufactuer date.

4 and 5 digit codes
 

I just opened up the fuse box cover and found both codes on white stickers underneath the cover.

you might be able to find the code on the trunk hinges! i have a 2003 and that's where mine was, which matched the radio code found with the original documentation with the car - unfortunately it didn't work!? i tried the 1-6 which spit out the serial number and entered the code afterwards but still didn't work. 'll try the antenna thing now.....

I just got through this fiasco as well.
I have a 2000 TL with Navigation.
My Stereo serial number was on the side of the stereo just under the wood trim (passenger side). I couldn't find it in ANY other place, thanks to the original dealer and previous owners.
The Navi serial number is on the bottom side of the trunk mount DVD rom (remove 4 screws from sides of the cage and 4 wire harnesses in the back and it slides right out).
For my 2000, both serial numbers start with B followed by 8 digits (B12345678). Some have ADxxxxxxxx or Lxxxx Nxxxx (the latter are the ones you can push 1+6 to retrieve). I assume those are different years.

Before I recovered my serial numbers, I called the dealer and he was really vague about what they had to do to retrieve them, so I figured I'd skip them and do it myself. I called the Acura line (1-800-382-2238 ext 5), gave them proof of ownership (by fax) and I am up and running, all within about an hour of starting. I talked with two different people there, and they were very helpful. The best part is I don't have to go to the dealer. I also (luckily) didn't have to pull the antenna out to input the code. Thanks everyone else for your info - I wanted to post because I haven't seen a 2000 owner post about this particular issue.

we'll after the antenna thing didn't work I started to worry that the code was wrong. I bought the car used, and thought that maybe the orig owners may have had a new radio put in.... i stopped by the service department and they gave my the *real* code for my car. Tried it and worked! Yippie!

I don't mean to hijack, but how often are head units stolen anymore? I remember about 10 years ago that was a big deal, but now it's all about the aftermarket. I love the Bose, but it's certainly nothing to brag about any more. Anyone had their factory head unit stolen?

Factory head units aren't stolen I think because: 1) they aren't that good and 2) they won't "fit" well anyplace else other than a TL. You *might* be able to screw them in some other car, but without the custom front plastic that hides the radio you'd have to fabricate something.

I recently bought a TL-S put in a ram air intake and noticed that one of my ground wires was broke in half. So I went the next day bought new ground wires replaced them and guess what happened? I couldn't turn on my radio. Well through strong determination I was not going to pay for some dealer to get it nor was I going to have some internet site charge me. SO LOOK UNDER YOUR ASHTRAY MAKE SURE YOU LOOK UNDER NOT IN THERE IS A LITTLE L SHAPED PIECE THAT WILL POP OUT ON THE BACK IS A STICKER WITH A 5 DIGIT NUMBER AND GUESS WHAT THAT NUMBER IS FOR YOU GOT IT. Please dont waist your money this may not work for all TL's.

antenna
 

hello Im having trouble with my 5digit code does anyone know how to get to the antenna with out taking the whole pannel of its a 2003 tl type s

You dont' need to pay the dealer anything.. I just called up the dealer... gave them my serial # for the deck (located at the TOP of the factory deck (6-CD CHANGER)... mine had 2 letters and 6 numbers as the serial.

Once i gave it.. they gave me the code right over the phone... simple. (they said it goes by the serial # of the deck.. not the VIN since decks could've been changed due to repair/damage, etc.)

It depends on the particular dealership. Some will give you the codes for free while others will charge you.

I have a 2002 TL-S and yesterday my battery just quit. I had the original battery so i definitely got my money's worth. Installed a new battery, pressed the #1 & #3 preset buttons, entered my 5-digit code and the radio came back. I had to re-entered my presets but that was ok. Didn't have to disconnect the antenna from the back of the radio. :thumbsup:

code
 

I want to thank all who helped out I had to disconnect the antenna on my radio in order for the code to work

Look in the fuse box
 

Thank God for the internet. My radio locked after turning off while driving and then turning it back on later. No idea why that happened. I called the dealer, as I did not have the code. They wanted $110 to pull the radio out and retrieve the S/N. After reading this thread, I looked in my car. The S/N is located on a white sticker on the glovebox and in the fuse box. Even better, the unlock code was found in the fuse box, as well. I can't believe the dealership just didn't tell me this. What @$$es! :thumbsup:

I agree that they shouldn't charge you if the code is in an easy location. But some TLs don't have the code in any of the normal places. If the code can't be found, they might need to pull the radio to obtain the serial number.

okay, need help. i found the number on a sticker in my car on a speaker in the trunck. the number is 6 digits . it includes the number '9', how do i enter the code? the buttons range from 1-6 on my stereo and i can't figure out how to add a 9.

Wow! What a hassle this has become! I DO want to thank you (sorry I can't recall exactly WHO on this site as I've read so much trying to find the right info) for the tip to look under the wood stripping for the radio serial # for my '99 Acura. I just bought it - it came without a manual or card with code #. Now, I'm waiting to call the dealer tomorrow (it's Sunday) with my serial # & hope they give me the code. I do have the error message now though. Is that what some of you are talking about when you say you have to drive around a bit, with the radio on, to get it to go away (so I can then enter the code, should I actually get it when I call the dealership)? Thanks - just trying to get all the pertinent details down so I might possibly have radio access for my drive to &/or from work tomorrow.

If you got your car used from a dealership they should have the code, doesn't matter if its a Acura dealership or a Kia dealership, I bought my CL-S from Honda Cars of Bellevue and when they sold me the car they told me about the radio code, they said if I lose it, all i need to do is call them up or go in and just prove that I own the car and they will give the the digits to radio code. Can't say the same about the non-dealership used car lots.

Try calling Acura Customer support and they may be able to retrieve that code for through the serial number

Just push and hold the 1 & 6 button and then two codes will come up. Then call Acura's 800# along with your VIN number and they will walk you through everything.

Just used the aluminum foil over the antenna trick. Worked perfect - code was accepted first try and 10 previous fails.

Since I just recently purchased my TL and there was no card with a code. I let google help me out. I found my radio code under the fuse box lid that's under the hood on the passenger side. Radio is now working

I have a 2003 tl and the same thing happend to me and the dealer told me the same thing over the phone but when i went there and talked to a man in person he showed me that the radio code is on a sticker inside the glove box. Open the glove box and it should be a white stripe with 5-digits sticking on the right outside wall of your glovebox.

So if anyone is still viewing this old thread, can you verify that if I buy a replacement Bose, I just get the serial # from the new unit and the dealer will get me a code....and am I taking a chance on an Ebay bose, that I won't be able to get a code?

BK85

They should be able too. BUT, MAKE SURE the HU is from the TL and not the CL. They LOOK identical but they arent interchangeable.

Stereo Code
 

Once again this site has saved me some $$. Bought my 2003 TL 5 years a go... just replaced the battery and had no idea that the stereo would require a code. Searched this site... went looking for a code... found one (original owner wrote it down in the manual under the stereo section)... back in business. Thanks to all the users of Acurazine and of course to Acurazine for having this site in the first place.