Recently our battery had run down. After jumping the car the stereo had "safe" on the display. After reading the manual i attempted the reset procedure. I accidently did the procedure wrong. After 2 attempts the stereo would not allow me to enter the 4 digit code. Reading the manual some more it said you had to wait 1 hour before attempting the procedure again. After waiting the stereo still would not go from "safe" to the 4 digit code step. Talking to the dealer they said to disconnect your battery for 15 minutes then try the unlock procedure again. But this time the stereo would not go past the first step. The manual says hold the "rds" button and the "fm2" button down at the same time. The dispaly should change from "safe" to "1000". At this time you change the 4 numbers from "1000" to your special unlock code. When i hold the 2 buttons down nothing happens, the display just says "safe" anyone know what we can do now?

 

Are you sure it is rds and fm2? I had to do this when I connected an ipod adapter to the rear of my 03 TT stereo and I think it was tone and RDS. Then it was clear sailing from there until a few weeks later when it asked me again for some reason.
Paul

 

yeah the same thing happened to me recently. the battery died and the stereo locked up but mine doesnt even say "safe" like the manual says. This is pissing me off...

the reason your 03 TT's lock up thing is different is because yours is a newer car it sounds like this guy with the problem like mines Audi sounds like a 96 or 97.

 

I ran into the same problem with my 09, but only after I bought the Nano. It still happens with my Kenwood 8120. After months of messing with the stereo, I found its the Ipod not the Stereo. Now I just disconnect my Ipod for a few seconds then plug it back in and it works fine. FYI I am able to change the tracks w/ my steering wheel control. If it locks I can still use my touch screen features. Hope that helps