Repair 7

How to Get the Radio Code on a New VW Beetle

The Volkswagen New Beetle, like many other vehicles made in recent years, is equipped with a radio that requires a code to properly function after being disconnected from its power source. This feature is designed to make the radio as useful as a paperweight in the event of theft. The need for a radio code has served to reduce the theft of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) radios, but it also makes it annoying for owners who have removed their radios for various reasons, including replacement and service.

Instructions

Instructions

1

Find the VW owners manual in the glove box. Find the card inside the owners manual that contains the radio code. This code is provided when the car is first purchased from the dealership. In some cases, the card may be misplaced before or after the vehicle is sold to another person.

2

Look for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the New Beetle if the VW owners manual does not contain the radio code. You can find the VIN near the bottom of the windshield on the drivers side of the vehicle. Write this information down on a piece of paper.

3

Remove the radio from the dashboard. You will need a set of radio removal keys, available for purchase at most car audio outlets. Insert the radio removal keys firmly into the two slots along the bottom edge of the radio then pull the radio out of the slot. Look for the radio serial number located on the back of the unit. This number will start with "vw4z7" or a similar identifier. Write this serial number down on the same piece of paper as the VIN for safekeeping.

4

Take the information written down to the nearest VW dealership and request that they find your radio code with the information provided. Both the VIN and radio serial number are required for the dealership to successfully find your radio code. Upon finding the radio code, write it down in the owners manual or someplace else where you can safely store it.