UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi, I am going to remove the battery in my car within the next few days to change my steering wheel, I dont think I got a radio code with my car, will I have to enter a code once I reconnect the battery or is there a way to turn off the code on a 2003 polo?

I have heard from someone that the cassette player is paired to the car so I wont have to enter the code unless I connect it in another car, is this true?

You can't turn the code off no, it's a built in security feature. I've disconnected my battery - removed the radio a few times and never had to enter the code. Believe the car recognises that it came out of the car and not from another.

Now you will have a chance to find out if the currently fitted Gamma is the correct radio for that car. I've moved my Gamma, bought new and first used in my Passat (which it automatically recognises as the "mother car") into my wife's Polo as its first radio - but it does not recognise this newer car as its "mother car" - I don't know how you "register" a radio with a car - it would be handy to know how its done!

RUM4MO wrote:Now you will have a chance to find out if the currently fitted Gamma is the correct radio for that car. I've moved my Gamma, bought new and first used in my Passat (which it automatically recognises as the "mother car") into my wife's Polo as its first radio - but it does not recognise this newer car as its "mother car" - I don't know how you "register" a radio with a car - it would be handy to know how its done!

good point mate, will find out,

so now that the radio is in your wifes car, if you decide to put it back in your Passat, will your car not require the code as its registered to your car?

Probably changed using vagcom or dealer equipment. I fitted a beta unit into another vw and it somehow ended up being coded to the car, possibly was done in the dealers.

biggy wrote: so now that the radio is in your wifes car, if you decide to put it back in your Passat, will your car not require the code as its registered to your car?

I'm not too sure about this, as both cars were personally imported, that means no ICE fitted, this new Gamma, bought from VW dealer in UK seemed to "tag" itself to the first new car it was fitted to automatically - but that did not seem to happen when fitted to the next new car it was fitted to. Rule number one, NEVER buy a VW radio second hand with no code card - you will probably need to sent it away to get it recoded (and not by VW), rule number two, when buying a second hand car ALWAYS insist in getting all necessary security codes from the previous owner or vendor BEFORE handing over the cash, rule number three, when you see a VW radio for sale without the code card - walk away and don't believe the smug "just take it to your local VW dealer and he will source the code for you" - if you can't tell him the original VIN of the car VW UK fitted it to you are stuffed! (I was, but at least I only paid £15 for that pleasure!)

Sorry, I've re-read your posting, yes, I'd expect my Passat to accept its radio back okay with having to enter the code. I've still got a secondhand "French built - yuk" Gamma in my car - its been in there for over 5 years so I'll probably just leave it there! I only bought the "code less" Gamma as it was the same age as wife's Polo - but it was "French built" as well!!

thanks for the info, will be fitting a polo 9n steering wheel to replace my current racing wheel next weekend as im waiting for all the tools needed to be delivered so Ill let you know how it goes.

has anyone got the factory code outta the manal as my battery died the other night and now it doesnt work an wont get to ring vw till tues when i can get the vin number !?! (my dad has the car details!)

oriental.lilly wrote:has anyone got the factory code outta the manal as my battery died the other night and now it doesnt work an wont get to ring vw till tues when i can get the vin number !?! (my dad has the car details!)

You can find the car's vin on a label stuck on the side of the sparewheel recess in the boot - or rear it off the visible label from the windscreen (I think that location is required by law). Its a big long string starting with VWV (I think) and ending with 5 or 6 numbers. You will need to show proof of ownership to VW before they will pass this info over - might even have to present the car to them with the radio fitted. There should have been a "radio code" card in the documentation pack that came with the car - just a bit of card about 1" by 2".

no there wasnt this as the silly plank who sold it to me didnt leave it with the log book ect.
did have to go sit in vw for just over and hour and half for them to gimme the code and tell me that the cd changer and radio are the wrong way round, and also that there are wires that 'shouldnt' be there and lead to the boot, im guessing the plank before me put them in but on inspection the guy oviously wasnt very good with neatness with electrics and instead of buying a small extenston with the plugs either end hes spliced in to the main loom
Also vw didnt tell me whats wrong with the cd player and now the radio part wont even pick up that the cd changer is there (did check it was pluged in)