Volvo Radio Codes Explained
Overview
Volvo radios have a theft-proof system that freezes the radio if power is interrupted. It was designed that way to prevent theft of the radio. The downside is your radio will be locked if you disconnect the battery for any reason, or if the battery dies.
When you restore power, it will say ‘CODE‘ on the display. This is your cue to find the easily misplaced credit-card lookalikes that have your radio’s code written on it. New Volvo owners got two, I believe.
Store Your Code Here
Once you get your code, store it here on this site so you’ll always know where it is.
How to Reset the Radio
- When the radio displays CODE, you may enter the code using the preset radio station buttons
- For instance, my number is 1615, so when I get the CODE on the radio’s display, I press the radio preset button 1, then the radio preset button 6, then the radio preset button 1, then the radio preset button 5.
- If your radio says OFF, leave the ignition on in the first position for 2 1/2 to 3 hours in order for it to display CODE. In certain models you can clear the OFF state by pulling the fuse for the radio (#7 in my car). That’s a bit simpler than leaving the ignition in the first position for a couple of hours — particularly if you don’t have a garage.
The four-digit code is unique to your radio; your neighbor’s code will not work on your radio. So what to do if you’ve misplaced, or never received, the white card, like most people?
Dealers have your radio code in a database, and can look it up. Many will give you the code over the phone if you’ve lost your card. You can call any Volvo dealer: they all have the same computer system to look up your Volvo radio code.
Sometimes the code is written on the radio itself. But you have to pull the radio out (not hard) to see it.
Other dealers will have you drive to their lot and speak to them in person. Because the dealer will need to read off the radio’s serial number to cross-reference it with the unique code, bring your radio, and your Volvo. Some reportedly charge US$10-$100 for this. Hmmmmm. I suppose dealers can choose to charge for this, and we can choose to not go back, right?
Summary
Don’t intentionally break the flow of power (disconnect the battery) from the radio unless you have the code.
If you have the code write it down in several locations. Don’t keep any of them in the car, although Volvo radios having much value on the black market is questionable.
If you don’t have the code, call the dealer to ask what they need from you. Don’t pay the dealer any money for the code! If they want money, hang up and call another.
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As an addendum to the radio codes issue. If you purchased a Volvo with an upgraded radio from your dealer, the radio code you were given by the dealership at the time of purchase may not be correct (this is also true for the code in the national database – which has the original factory code). To find the new code the radio must be pulled out and somehow a Volvo specialist can extrapolate the code from the radio’s serial number. When you have your correct 4 digit code for your radio then enter as directed in your auto manual. This will work so do not despair!
Is there a way to reset the radio without turning the key into the first position for two hours?
I’m happy to report that I found a way to shortcut all of this. I am making a video of how to do it so stand by.
Thanks,
Jack
kayla555@gmail.com
Awesome thanks for the help. Had to replace my battery in my car and then my radio was screwed up. Your info helped me get my radio back free of charge. Went to another site that was charging $29.00 to give you the code.
Thanks, Robyn
I’m very confused on how to do this… i know how to put the code in and what to do but i don’t know how to find the code… especially since everyone has been saying it is a four digit code and mine is six… i would appreciate the help without having to pay $29… and one site had asked me to give the fourteen digit serial number… well the serial number on the back of my radio (which i had to take out to get it) is not fourteen digits, there are eight digits and two letters… so help anyone please
I got the code from my local dealer and rechecked it with them and it still doesn’t work. I get code, put in the 5 numbers, nothing happens??? I have tried it time and time again, I do sometimes get a rPe code???? Any suggestions?
If you have an radio with diodes, you can also cut these and then code always will be 6666, it is easy with the older type of radio’s CR-type.
…no dealer..no bullshitt..
Thank you! Thank you! I had a new batter put in my 1995 Volvo 850 today preparing for winter. I got in and my radio was flashing code. I thought I could just put in a number and make it work. Well, you guessed it it said OFF after 3 tries. I called the Volvo Dealer and they said I had to leave the ignition on for 2 hours for the reset. I read your help here and started the car and pulled the #7 fuse and put it back in and CODE flashed and I put in the proper 4 digit code and the radio works! You are great! I can’t believe the dealer didn’t know this. Mark
I have a 2000 s70 and just got it a new battery yesterday. (The one in my car was from the factory!!! Lasted so long!) Anyway, I took a few guesses as to what my radio code was, not knowing it would go into OFF. A nice dealer was kind enough to give me the code over the phone, but he also said that pulling fuse 7 wouldn’t work and I would have to leave my radio on from anywhere between 1.5 – 2.5 hours– continuously!!! Anyone find anything else to work? I live in a city so I have to park on the street and I don’t have time to my car running for that long unattended!!
Your Volvo doesn’t have to be running, just have the key turned enough so that the radio is on.
hi, i have purchased a pre owned Volvo 850 1995 model. The car is fine but the only problem is that i cant find its Radio Code. Kindly let me know the place to find it. i live in dubai , UAE,so tell me any specific dealer to contact or shuld i send you the chasis code to let me know. i shall be thankful
Greetings from the US. You should get the vehicle identification number or the radio’s serial number (better) and call the closest Volvo car dealer. Tell them the number of your car or radio and ask them for your code.
http://www.volvocars.com/ae/Pages/default.aspx
If your top level cd player stops working in 850 and some v70, but the radio is fine, there is a tiny reset button on the rhs when you remove the radio. It6s there to protect the cd player from misuse, but dealers dont know about it…. You send off your radio and they charge you £££££. Google this fix and you will find pictures
i have a 1995 volvo 850.i’ve done everything that everyone has said but i steel can’t get the radio to come on all it wants to do is say off wate about 1.5 hours. and do it all over again please help.
My daughter has a 98 S70, I called the dealership gave them the VIN #, they gave me a code and it didn’t work. Called the dealership back with the serial number on the radio and they gave me another code. Let the car sit for another 2 hours and that code didn’t work. Is there another option? Please help, my daughter is going to go crazy without her radio. Typical 17 yo
Thanks
did u get an answer – i have same problem. thanks. i am presently witing 2-4 hrs with the key in the ignition & then shall try again!
the radio code i have has a 7 and the preset buttons there is no 7 how do i enter the 7?
hi, i have purchased a pre owned Volvo 850 1997 model. I bought the car from japan, The car is fine but the only problem is that i cant find its Radio Code. Kindly let me know the place to find it. i live in Kampala , Uganda,so tell me any specific dealer to contact or shuld i send you the chasis number, radio serial no, to let me know. i shall be very greatfull.
Oh my God!!! I FINALLY got my radio to work!!!!! This has been the most helpful site. You need to pull out your radio (VERY EASY TO DO) I had my battery replaced LAST WINTER—I have been driving around since with a portable boom box just to hear something. I had the wrong # written in back of owners manual. When I called dealership, they gave same code which was in my book. Still didnt work.
After reading this site, it mentions, if you have a refurbished radio, the code will be different even from what is in database. it says one way to find out is to pull out radio—very easy to do—and it is sometimes written on the radio. when i pulled out radio there was the code !!!! I did the 2.5 hour thing and IT FINALLY WENT ON!!! It comes out by pressing in the two sensory panels on sides of radio component. Look closely, and you will see the indentations for this. press in with pointy instrument like keys or pen, and the handles will pop out. Then pull out radio–the code should be written on top!!! GOOD LUCK !!!!
I bought a used volvo, and dont have the card for the radio code. please help!
vin # YV1LS5512T2274339
Did you read this post?
hi
i have a volvo s40 the battery was disconnected and then i got that it shows the radio is off and also i do not have my code for that can you please advise me to give some other solution thanks