1997 VW Passat Radio Code

[cococadidi]

blue Greetings Volkswagen lovers. My problem is my battery was unhooked as I had major problems. I had before had my radio code. My wife cleaned the car out and threw the code away. I went to the volkswagen dealer in Colorado Springs Colorado and they pretty much told me where to get off. No help at all. They only sold the car. So where do I get a radio code. I realize I will have to try and pull the radio out for the vin numbers but who will give me the code. Thanks for any help. Rich

[onthepath]

Originally Posted by cococadidi

blue Greetings Volkswagen lovers. My problem is my battery was unhooked as I had major problems. I had before had my radio code. My wife cleaned the car out and threw the code away. I went to the volkswagen dealer in Colorado Springs Colorado and they pretty much told me where to get off. No help at all. They only sold the car. So where do I get a radio code. I realize I will have to try and pull the radio out for the vin numbers but who will give me the code. Thanks for any help. Rich

hey, YOU my friend are in luck. I just happen to be in Colordo Springs, Colorado with my Passat and I just went through the same craziness. BUT I got my code. VW doesn't care about OLDER cars...especially HEUBERGER which marks up thing like 20%. Your best bet for parts and service is TEAM VW to get the code. Although, I open this option to you: go to an independent who has connections and can get it cheap....the dealer wants like $99 to look it up. For that price, you might as well drop in a new stereo from Best Buy.

You need to get those little foreign auto radio puller tabs, and pull out the radio to get the serial number from it AS WELL AS the VIN#. Maybe you can have another auto shop do it or swing by ADVANCE AUTO PARTS on Austin Bluffs, because I saw them selling them there....$5. Dealer price $50.

I went to IMPORT SPECIALTY MOTOR on Boulder (just off of Platte and and 2 blocks past Circle). (719)-633-0136. Talk to PAUL. The mechanic there is fantastic...this super nice guy named Dan who is honest, fair, and will be patient in explaining things to you....Paul hooked me up with the code for cheap because I've dropped a couple of thousand at this place during my recent restoration of my 1995 Passat GLX automatic wagon. They did a great job on my engine mounts, water pump, A/C recharge, wheel bearings, axle, and other sundry fixes. Things I just didn't want to do...or didn't have the tools to do... Very helpful and willing to work with me on the project of love. I JUST finished it. In fact, I am waiting for one more part to come in tommorrow morning and the car is still at the shop. I reccommend them highly...

If you need to get some service its the place to go...more knowledgable than the dealer and they can do it for about half usually. The dealers in Colorado Springs have some seriously lame mechanics who only care about b6 cars and newer. I can't tell you how many times they have ordered me the wrong part. They can save you money on these expensive cars. For example: I had the misfortune to find out that I needed to replace my front right axle when I was getting the wheel bearing redone today. They didn't FORCE me to get a new one, but said it would be a good idea. The dealer price for the part new $598 (no labor by the way), but they have an axle refurbishing shop that could get it to me for $110 for labor. The dealer won't even let you know about this option.

Anyway, maybe if you do some work there, they may hook you up or perhaps they can do it for a modest fee.

Cheers,

TG

[cococadidi]

Originally Posted by cococadidi

blue Greetings Volkswagen lovers. My problem is my battery was unhooked as I had major problems. I had before had my radio code. My wife cleaned the car out and threw the code away. I went to the volkswagen dealer in Colorado Springs Colorado and they pretty much told me where to get off. No help at all. They only sold the car. So where do I get a radio code. I realize I will have to try and pull the radio out for the vin numbers but who will give me the code. Thanks for any help. Rich

Thanks for the help. I'd rather eat glass than go to team chevrolet. They are unkind, rude and threw we need money it takes time etc to look that stuff up. This is the last VW I will ever buy. At least in Colorado. I wouldn't deal with any VW dealer in Colorado Springs if you paid me. And I mean paid me a lot. I will certainly try to get the code. I think if someone could tell me how to shut off the security on the radio as an option, I'd rather do that. Anytime the battery cable is unhooked, you have to re=enter the code. Hey, it's not that great a radio..lol..so if someone knows how to shut it off, drop me a line. thanks for the help. Rich