The Honda radio code is designed to prevent thieves from taking off with your stereo system. The car will require you to enter the code if the stereo is removed from the vehicle. However, it also asks for the code when the battery is disconnected. If you have never had to use it, you might wonder how to enter a Honda radio code.
In this guide, I examine how simple it is to enter the Honda stereo code. If you don’t have the code on hand, you will need to know where to find it, so I offer simple solutions to that problem as well.
How to Enter a Honda Radio Code
If you know your radio code, you will enter it by pressing the applicable preset buttons on the stereo head unit. If the code is “11143”, you press down the “1” three times in a row, followed by a “4” and “3”. This should unlock the stereo system so you can use it normally.
Sadly, most people don’t know the code to the Honda stereo, making it impossible to get it started once it is locked. On the bright side, there are several ways to get the code so it can be unlocked.
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How to Retrieve the Honda Radio Code
1. Find the Code in the Car
The easiest way to unlock the radio is to find the code in your car. In some models, you can find the code listed in the glove box. It might be on a sticker that is found inside the compartment. This sticker will also include the serial number of the radio, in case you ever need it.
If you don’t have a sticker or can’t find it, take a look in the owner’s manual instead. There’s always the chance that the radio code has been placed in the book, especially by a previous owner who needed to write it down.
2. Contact Honda Dealer
Your local Honda dealer can help you get the code. However, they probably won’t give it to you over the phone unless you already have a relationship with them and they know you.
This step will likely require you to make a service appointment with the dealership. At this appointment, the certified technicians will verify your ownership and give you the appropriate code. This option is going to cost you money, which is why it’s not the most popular choice.
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3. Search Online
If you want to avoid the dealership, you can look it up online. Head to the Honda website designed specifically for this problem.
To get the radio code, you will need some information. Have your zip code, email address, phone number and VIN number with you. The VIN can be found on the driver’s side door jamb, on your car registration or on the plate at the bottom of your windshield.
You must also have the serial number of the radio. If you drive a 2001 or older Honda model, you can find the serial number on the radio’s body. To get this number, you must remove the head unit from the radio. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, get professional guidance.
However, if you drive a 2002 or newer Honda, it’s much easier to get the radio serial number. Turn the key to the ON position. Press the “1” and “6” radio preset buttons simultaneously while turning on the radio. The 10-digit number will pop up on the display, so make sure you write it down.
How do I reset my Honda radio without the code?
Entering a code is the best and most reliable way of unlocking a radio in your Honda. But if you can’t get hold of it in any way, there is a method that may help bypass this security feature. Start by turning on the ignition. Once the radio’s screen is on and asks for the code, turn the radio off. Then, hold the Volume button pressed for approximately 50 seconds. After this, the radio should unlock itself. There is, though, no guarantee this will work on your model, but it’s worth giving a try.
Why does my Honda say Enter code?
The radio in a Honda will automatically lock itself when unplugged. This should discourage thieves from breaking into the cars to steal the radios, as they become worthless. Still, the same will happen if the radio’s electricity supply cuts off for any reason. So, if you’ve disconnected your battery or it has gone completely flat, your radio will lock itself and ask for a code.
How many digits is the Honda Radio Code?
In most Honda models, the radio code has 5 digits, though there are some that only have 4. The easiest way to find this code is by looking for a separate sticker inside the glove box or checking your owner’s manual. If neither of these is available, you can retrieve the code using a VIN number and radio’s serial number from Honda’s website or a local dealership.
Can I get my Honda radio code from VIN number?
Yes. You can get a radio code for your Honda using a VIN number, and there are two ways of doing this. One is to contact your authorized Honda dealer and make an appointment. Besides the VIN number, you will also, in most cases, need some proof of ownership over the vehicle. In addition, most dealerships will charge you for this service. The other option is to search for this code on the Internet, with Honda’s website being the best choice. Apart from the VIN number and some personal information, you’ll need the radio’s serial number.
Most modern Honda cars have an anti-theft feature that locks the radio once it’s been unplugged. After this happens, the locked radio can be unlocked only by entering a unique code. The idea is that thieves will not break into cars to steal the radio because it is worthless once it locks itself.
However, the same will happen if the car’s electrical supply is cut. This can be because you disconnected the battery, or because the battery died completely.
At this point, a radio code will be needed, which you can find in the owner’s manual or on a separate sticker. If it is not available, you will have to contact your local Honda dealership or visit their website.
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Tags: Honda
