99 a4 2.8 quattro

changed the battery. now radio just says "SAFE" and thats it. ive pressed every button about 100 times. turned it on and off a bunch. restarted car multiple times.

 

This is a security feature in the stock stereo. You'll need the unlock code. If you don't have it, you may have to go to a dealership and prove ownership to get it. At least that's what I've read other people having to do. It might be written in the front of the manual.

Good luck!

 

ugh, i bought it used. no manual. guess ill be heading to the dealership.

ty kraysaw.

 

Yep, that's the way you have to do it. Bring your title and registration and driver's license, so you can prove you are whose name is on the title, and they can look it up for you. Be warned, they may well charge you for doing this too.

 

This should be the steps but like you said you dont have the unlock card with the code on in but if you feel lucky there is only 3333 combinations.....Sorry you ran into the problem, you could always just put in an aftermarket cd player if you dont want to deal with a dealership especially if you have to pay them for it because that would be money towards a new Pioneer, Alpine, Eclipse, etc....

1) Turn on radio and the radio display shows "SAFE", thus the problem.

2) Press the P.Scan and RBDS buttons simultaneously (at the same time) and hold until "1000" is displayed. Release the buttons but Do NOT press buttons again as the radio will think the "1000" is the code.

3) Use Preset buttons 1 through 4 to enter the four-digit code number from your radiocard that you got when you bought the car. Preset button 1 corresponds to the first digit, preset button 2 corresponds to the second digit, and so on and so on.

4) Once the code shown on the display is correct you must press the P.Scan and RBDS buttons simultaneously and hold until the word "SAFE" appears in the display again. Once the word "SAFE" appears you can release the buttons.

4) The radioshould unlockand be available shortly afterwards.

5) If an incorrect is entered, the word "SAFE" appears, first flashing and then continuously. You can repeat the above steps to unlockthe radio codeonce more, the number of attempts will be shown in the display. If an incorrect codeis entered again, you radio will be locked forabout one hour. After one hour - the radio must stay on and the key must remain in the ignition lock - if the display goes out, the you can repeat the above procedure to unlockagain. The cycle - two attempts, one hour lock-up - still applies.

6) If you lose your radio code, contact your Audidealer as you are SOL.

 

That pretty much sums it up.

 

My favorite part about this approach to "security" is that if a thief steals your stereo, you're out a stereo and the thief has something good enough to use as an ugly paperweight. Everybody loses!

Make sure if you do go to the dealer and have to pay them that they give you the code! Then unlike most forms of security codes and passwords that you'd want to keep safe and secure... write it down in as many places as you can think of you might look for it in the future for reference!

 

OR...
Call the previous owner/dealer, and complain until they find the stereo manual.
If they cannot find it (I say 24 hours is enough time to locate it) DEMAND that THEY pay the audi service fee to get it!

Oh.. and sometimes (rarely) the radio code is WRITTEN on the label in the trunk close to the spare tire.

Good luck!