Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Electronic Anti-Theft System, Deactivating
Reactivating a locked radio navigation system is only possible by entering correct radio code number for anti-theft protection.
Determine the anti-theft code using the Vehicle diagnostic tester
-- Connect Vehicle diagnostic tester.
-- Select Guided Fault Finding .
-- Using the Go To button, select "Functions/Component selection" and the following menu options in sequence:
- Body
- Electrical Equipment
- 01 - On Board Diagnostic (OBD) capable systems
- Radio/navigation system
- Radio/navigation system functions
- Radio code inquiry
An authorization to the system will be requested: Then the operating data, the VIN and the radio serial number of the radio/navigation system will be automatically read out.
The Vehicle diagnostic tester may not be able to read the radio/navigation serial number when a new radio/navigation unit is installed. In this case, enter the serial number manually. The serial number can be found on a sticker on the radio and is also stamped into the side of the unit.
The Vehicle diagnostic tester will display the anti-theft code.
The radio navigation system anti-theft code must not be entered manually.
Electronic Anti-Theft System, Deactivating:
-- Switch on radio navigation system.
"SAFE" appears in the display for approximately 10 seconds, after that "1000" appears.
-- Enter the correct anti-theft code using the keyboard on the input mask.
-- Press the input screen to confirm in the entry.
The radio/navigation system is enabled and ready for operation.
Use the correction screen to erase an incorrect code.
If the radio code has been entered incorrectly, it can be corrected immediately in another attempt. If radio code is entered incorrectly twice, then the RNS (Radio Navigation System) is locked for an hour. Then leave the RNS (Radio Navigation System) and the ignition switched on. After one hour, then the procedure for deactivating the anti-theft system can be repeated. Keep in mind: Always two attempts, after that the RNS (Radio Navigation System) will lock up for one hour.
Reactivating a locked radio navigation system is only possible by entering correct radio code number for anti-theft protection.
Using Vehicle diagnostic tester to get the anti-theft code
-- Connect the Vehicle diagnostic tester.
-- Select Guided Fault Finding .
-- Use the GO TO button to select the "function/component selection" and the following menu options one after the other:
- Body
- Electrical Equipment
- 01 - On Board Diagnostic (OBD) capable systems
- Radio/navigation system
- Radio/navigation system functions
- Radio code inquiry
An authorization to the system will be requested: Then the operating data, the VIN and the radio serial number of the radio/navigation system will be automatically read out.
It is possible that the Vehicle diagnostic tester will not be able to read the serial number when a new RNS (Radio Navigation System) is installed. In this case, enter the serial number manually. The serial number can be found on a sticker on the unit and is also stamped into the side of the RNS.
The Vehicle diagnostic tester will display the anti-theft code.
The RNS (Radio Navigation System) anti-theft code must not be entered manually.
Electronic Anti-Theft System, Deactivating
-- Turn on the RNS.
"SAFE" appears in the display for approximately 10 seconds, after that "1000" appears.
-- Enter the correct anti-theft code using the keyboard on the input mask.
-- Press the input screen to confirm in the entry.
The RNS (Radio Navigation System) is enabled and ready for operation.
Use the correction screen to erase an incorrect code.
If the radio code has been entered incorrectly, it can be corrected immediately in another attempt. If radio code is entered incorrectly twice, then the RNS is locked for an hour. Then leave the RNS and the ignition switched on. After one hour, then the procedure for deactivating the anti-theft system can be repeated. Keep in mind: Always two attempts, after that the RNS will lock up for one hour.
Reactivating a locked radio navigation system is only possible by entering correct radio code number for anti-theft protection.
Determine the anti-theft code using the Vehicle diagnostic tester
-- Connect Vehicle diagnostic tester.
-- Select Guided Fault Finding .
-- Using the Go To button, select "Functions/Component selection" and the following menu options in sequence:
- Body
- Electrical Equipment
- 01 - On Board Diagnostic (OBD) capable systems
- Radio/navigation system
- Radio/navigation system functions
- Radio code inquiry
An authorization to the system will be requested: Then the operating data, the VIN and the radio serial number of the radio/navigation system will be automatically read out.
It is possible that the Vehicle diagnostic tester will not be able to read the serial number when a new RNS is installed. In this case, enter the serial number manually. The serial number can be found on a sticker on the unit and is also stamped into the side of the RNS (Radio Navigation System).
The Vehicle diagnostic tester will display the anti-theft code.
The radio navigation system anti-theft code must not be entered manually.
Electronic Anti-Theft System, Deactivating:
-- Turn on the RNS.
"SAFE" appears in the display for approximately 10 seconds, after that "1000" appears.
-- Enter the correct anti-theft code using the keyboard on the input mask.
-- Press the input screen to confirm in the entry.
The radio/navigation system is enabled and ready for operation.
Use the correction screen to erase an incorrect code.
If the anti-theft code has been entered incorrectly, it can be corrected immediately in another attempt. If anti-theft code is entered incorrectly twice, then the RNS (Radio Navigation System) is locked for an hour. Then leave the RNS and the ignition switched on. After one hour, then the procedure for deactivating the anti-theft system can be repeated. Keep in mind: Always two attempts, after that the RNS will lock up for one hour.
Reactivating a locked radio navigation system is only possible by entering correct radio code number for anti-theft protection.
The radio code for the anti-theft system is attached to the radio card next to the serial number. Refer to the Owner's Manual.
For reasons of safety, do not leave the radio card in the vehicle. Get the radio code from the customer.
If a radio/navigation system is being replaced, then use the radio code of the replacement radio.
Inform the customer the radio code has been changed.
-- Get the radio code.
-- Switch on radio navigation system.
Word "SAFE" and number row "0000" appear in display.
-- Enter the radio code by selecting and confirming characters on the selection screen for letters and numbers in succession.
With the entry of the first character, the number row "0000" is overwritten.
-- Press the right knob to confirm the radio code.
-- Once the correct radio code number has been entered, press the "OK" button to confirm it.
Unit is enabled and ready for operation.
If the radio code has been entered incorrectly, it can be corrected immediately in two subsequent attempts. If the radio code is entered incorrectly three times, then the RNS (Radio Navigation System) is locked for an hour. The RNS (Radio Navigation System) can then be switched on and insert the key in ignition lock. After one hour, then the procedure for deactivating the anti-theft system can be repeated. Keep in mind: Always two attempts, after that the RNS (Radio Navigation System) will lock up for one hour.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.