I know someone in here has the ability to help out. I just purchased a 97 Acura TL from a friend. Unfortunately it sat for a while and the battery went dead. The car now has a new battery, but the radio is displaying a "code" message.

I took the liberty of removing the radio to get the model # serial #. I called a few dealers and thought out of good faith they would give me a code over the phone. I know of people personally who have done this and people on forums who have been successful with this as well. Unfortunately I was not so lucky.

One dealer wanted $80.00 for the code, JUST the code (if I gave them the serial), another would not take my information and insisted on doing it themselves to "around $150", or so he said.

I don't know what our policy is here on posting my vin and radio serial, so I can PM or email it if anyone wants to help. I got a road trip coming up in a few days with some old friends and it would be great to have some tunes for the ride.

Thanks

 

Go to another dealer, if you have the serial # then they should be able to give you the code for free, all they got to do is look it up on their computer.

 

I have the same problem with my '05 MDX. When I called a dealer, the service guy said that all he needed was the last 6 digits of the VIN. When I provided it, he gave me a code which was different from the one I got from previous owner. But it was Not successful! I am at a Loss. What other options are there? What Good does it do to have a Great Stereo system if you cannot turn it on!??? Very Frustrating!! Can Someone HELP!??

 

I found that if you register at http://owners.acura.com/
they will provide the code for you on-line.
I haven't tried this, but this is what is stated.
Let me know if this is successful.

 

the code should be located in the car somewhere, atleast it has been in all of my previous hondas and acuras. Its either on the rear trunk somewhere, behind the glovebox, or behind the ashtray. Just a small sticker about an inch long and 1/4 inch wide, 6 numbers.

 

hope that helps.

 

if you get nowhere... contact tim at oemacuraparts.com... he should be able to help you... he is a vendor of our site too...

 

Check out the suggestions at:

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/%2A%2Aaudio-video-diy-info-faq-all-models-%2A%2A-299065/

Good information!

 

this happened to me as well about a year ago. and on at least the newer tl's they have the 4 digit code on the side of the glove box. so just open it up on and look around on the outside of it and hopefully you guys can find it. goodluck

 

dont wanna threadjack but i went ahead and used the http://owners.acura.com/ link to look for the radio code. it gave me 2, one that i originally had and an extra one. i put both codes in and i still receive an error code. im pretty pissed off cuz ive always used the code that i have and its worked fine. i dont understand y its not working. any ideas?

 

If your code doesn't work, go to an underground garage/somewhere where you won't get radio reception. This trick worked for me and many other people. I called Acura, got the code, it didn't work, I went to an underground parking garage and "pretended" that I took a wrong turn, put in the code, radio turned on and worked, left the garage.

Another way is to take apart the dash and unplug the antenna but that is just way too much work.

 

r u serious??? woow. i gotta find an underground garage in miami....

if anyone lives down here, plz lmk where theres one. i know theres a couple in downtown but too far for me.

 

for 2G TL:

take off left side console wood trim
unscrew driver kick panel and the side panel (by your right leg when you are sitting down)
pull back driver kick panel enough so side panel can be pulled
pull back side panel enough so your hand fits in (no need to completely take it off)
reach back behind radio and unplug antenna

turn on radio and put in code
plug antenna back in
put everything back together

there is a thread with pictures somewhere here.....but honestly it only takes 5 min at most to do, maybe 10 if youre a noob. beats driving around aimlessly wasting gas looking for a garage and may or may not even work when u get there.

 

I had the same problem. I called an Acura dealer. I gave them my vin number and they gave me the code no charge.

 

ZOMG! I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE! Sorry for caps. Last time this happened to me I had to drive ALL the way to the mountains and used my phone to figure out if i had reception or not. It worked that time! But this time it will not work... I drove around for hrs in no reception areas.


Can anyone find the thread on how to unplug the antenna? PLEASEEE I cant drive without music..

 

Issue Fixed. Yanked the side console till it bent and jimmied my finger behind the radio and yoink! thakns.