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.
Rcd 510 Radio 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
Accessing Electronic Antitheft System Code with VAS tester
Select "Guided Functions" in Diagnostic Operation System VAS 5051 or Vehicle Diagnosis and Service System VAS 5052.
or
Select "Guided Fault Finding" in Vehicle Diagnosis, Testing and Information System 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 or 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 or radio navigation system antitheft code must now be entered manually.
Deactivating Electronic Antitheft System
-- Switch on radio unit.
An input mask with a 10 key key pad, a correction button and an input button appear.
-- Enter the correct radio code using the key pad on the input mask.
-- Confirm by pressing the input button.
Unit is enabled and ready for operation.
Using the correction button to change an incorrect number.
If the wrong code number was entered when overriding the electronic lock, first "SAFE" blinks in the display and "1000" appears again. You can now repeat the entire procedure one more time. The number of tries is shown in the display. If you enter the wrong code number again, the unit is locked for about one hour, that is, it cannot be operated. This lock is indicated by the word "SAFE" appearing continuously in the display. After one hour has elapsed in which the unit and the ignition must be switched on, the number of attempts disappears and the electronic lock can be deactivated again as described above. The cycle >>two tries, locked for one hour<< still applies.
NO RELATED
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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.