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 Antitheft System, Deactivating
Required Special Tools and Equipment
- Vehicle Diagnosis, Testing and Information System VAS 5051 or Vehicle Diagnosis and Service System VAS 5052
- Diagnostic adapter cable VAS 5051/5a or VAS 5051/6a or VAS 5052/3
Reactivating a locked radio navigation system is only possible by entering correct code number for electronic antitheft system.
Code number for electronic antitheft system is listed along with radio serial number on radio card. Refer to the operating instructions.
For reasons of safety, radio card should not be stored in the vehicle. Obtain the code number from the customer, if necessary.
If a radio navigation system is replaced, code number from replacement unit must be used.
Inform the customer that the code number has changed.
-- Obtain code number for the unit.
-- Switch on radio navigation system.
Word "SAFE" and number row "0000" appear in display.
-- Enter code number listed on radio card by selecting and confirming characters in succession on letter and number selection screen with right rotary/push knob.
With the entry of the first character, the number row "0000" is overwritten.
-- When antitheft code has been entered, confirm with Taste located next to word "OK" on display.
Unit is enabled and ready for operation.
If the antitheft code has been entered incorrectly, it can be corrected immediately in two subsequent attempts. If antitheft code is entered incorrectly three times, then the radio navigation system is locked for an hour. Then leave the radio navigation system and the ignition switched on. After one hour, then the procedure for deactivating the electronic antitheft system can be repeated. Keep in mind: Always three attempts to input code, after that the radio navigation system is locked for one hour.
Accessing Electronic Antitheft System Code with VAS Tester
Select "Guided Functions" in VAS 5051 or Vehicle Diagnosis and Service System VAS 5052.
or
Select "Guided Fault Finding" in VAS 5051 or Vehicle Diagnosis and Service System VAS 5052.
After DTC memory of all control modules has been checked:
-- Press button "Jump".
-- Select "Function/Component Selection".
-- Select "Body".
-- Select "Electrical Systems".
-- Select "01 self-diagnosis-enabled systems".
-- Select "Radio navigation system"
-- Select "Functions"
-- Select and start "radio code inquiry".
An authorization to the system will be requested: Then the operating data, the VIN and the Radio/RNS unit serial number will be automatically read out.
When installing new radio / radio-navigation unit, or a unit which has not be adapted to the vehicle, it can happen that tester will not be able to read the serial number of the radio/radio-navigation unit. 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 unit.
Then the radio code will be displayed in the tester.
The radio unit antitheft code must not be entered manually.
Deactivating Electronic Antitheft System
-- Switch on radio unit.
"SAFE" appears in the display for approximately 10 seconds, after that "1000" appears.
-- Enter the code numbers by pressing the function button as many times as necessary until the correct number sequence appears.
The message "OK" is activated in the display after four-digit code number has been entered.
-- Once the correct code number has been entered, press the "OK" button to confirm it.
Unit is enabled and ready for operation.
If the antitheft code has been entered incorrectly, it can be corrected immediately in another attempt. If antitheft code is entered incorrectly twice, then the radio unit is locked for an hour. Then leave the radio unit and the ignition switched on. After one hour, then the procedure for deactivating the electronic antitheft system can be repeated. Keep in mind: Always two attempts to input code, after that the radio unit is locked for one hour.
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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.