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Radio code wrong! Stereo now locked. Help

12K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  izu  
#1 ·
Last week my battery died on the car. I purchased and fitted a new battery which all went well. My radio asked for a code which I found in my audio booklet.
However, the code was not right I have tried this loads of times and it now says it is locked.
I have spoke to a friend who knows someone at ford, but when he types my registration in, the code does not appear to be there. He reckons that the stereo has been replaced but no code has been left with the car. I spoke to fords who said they can see me, but only fit me in at the end of the month. It's driving me mad listening to all the rattles the fords make! Please help me someone because it's really doing my head in now!!!
 
#6 ·
A Ford radio usually will become 'locked' after 10 invalid codes have been entered.

In the beginning, the indication like "- - -" or "Wait" may appear on the radio's display. In this case leave the radio turned on for 2-3 hours. The locked state will reset and you will be able to enter the code again.

However, if 10 attempts (or more) have been made, the radio will go into the 'LOCKED' mode. Waiting will not help in most cases.

But there is a trick that you can use if your radio says 'LOCKED' or 'LOCKED 10'. If you see 'LOCKED 13' or 'LOCKED FOREVER', unfortunately, this will not help.

To unlock the radio if it is says 'LOCKED 10':

1. The radio is turned off.

2. Press the '6' (6th radio preset) button and hold it.

3. Do not release the '6' button. Turn the radio on while holding the '6' button.

P.S. This will not help with all radios. Some systems may not support this reset trick.

WARNING: After this trick is done, you have 3 more attempts. If you use them up, you will not be able to unlock the radio yourself again.

NOTE: Some radios say 'TEN' instead of 'LOCKED'. For these radios, turn the radio on and hold SELECT and MAN buttons together. You will have ONE additional attempts (when it is used up, the radio will say 'TEN+').