When is radio code useful? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

qqzj · 12-25-2013, 04:19 AM

Yesterday I forgot to turn off the light and the battery was depleted enough that it is no longer able to start the car. (But the instrument panel was still lit up.) So I charged it all day today and started it. To my surprise, everything works just fine. I lost some settings, but I was able to use the radio etc. Can somebody educate me what is the use of the radio code? I was going to input it somewhere, but it seems unnecessary.

993Fan · 12-25-2013, 05:22 AM

It doesn't take much battery power to sustain the radio's memory. It looks like the battery wasn't completely dead since your panel still lit up.

You might try yanking the radio's fuse and waiting an hour or two to see if it demands the code when it's turned back on.

As a public service...

qqzj · 12-25-2013, 05:26 AM

I took the battery out and charged it using my Battery Tender. So I am sure that the car has no power for about 12 hours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 993Fan

It doesn't take much battery power to sustain the radio's memory. It looks like the battery wasn't completely dead since your panel still lit up.

You might try yanking the radio's fuse and waiting an hour or two to see if it demands the code when it's turned back on.

As a public service...

993Fan · 12-25-2013, 05:29 AM

Must be an optional code

Edit: Since it's a theft deterrent, the need for the code is probably triggered by removing the unit from its wiring harness -- nothing to do with the car battery. Why don't you give that a try...

Steven@fteightysix · 12-27-2013, 03:54 PM

Most car stereos have a few hours of internal battery backup built into them. This allows the car to have no power (dead battery, being worked on/serviced) without the loss of clock and radio settings.

Many times while switching out batteries or working on the car with the battery disconnected will cause you to use the radio code.

F1point4 · 01-01-2014, 12:56 PM

I removed the Optional Bespoke unit and let it sit for months in a closet. I installed it into another car and it worked with no issues and without asking for a code.

I would also like to know what the code is used for. Maybe it only applies to the base level head units.

12-25-2013, 04:19 AM	#1
qqzj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: MDX, Camry Location: SF, CA Posts: 399 Thanks: 54 Thanked 69 Times in 44 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	When is radio code useful? Yesterday I forgot to turn off the light and the battery was depleted enough that it is no longer able to start the car. (But the instrument panel was still lit up.) So I charged it all day today and started it. To my surprise, everything works just fine. I lost some settings, but I was able to use the radio etc. Can somebody educate me what is the use of the radio code? I was going to input it somewhere, but it seems unnecessary.

12-25-2013, 05:29 AM	#4
993Fan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: 2014 DGM BRZ MT Location: SoCal Posts: 188 Thanks: 1 Thanked 120 Times in 57 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Must be an optional code Edit: Since it's a theft deterrent, the need for the code is probably triggered by removing the unit from its wiring harness -- nothing to do with the car battery. Why don't you give that a try... Last edited by 993Fan; 12-25-2013 at 05:47 AM.

01-01-2014, 12:56 PM	#6
F1point4 Photo Specialist Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2013 Toyota 86 DGM 6MT Location: Texas Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 587 Thanked 1,804 Times in 420 Posts Mentioned: 94 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I removed the Optional Bespoke unit and let it sit for months in a closet. I installed it into another car and it worked with no issues and without asking for a code. I would also like to know what the code is used for. Maybe it only applies to the base level head units. __________________ Lola - Toyota 86 6MT Dark Gray Metallic My 86 Flickr Set

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12-25-2013, 05:22 AM	#2
993Fan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: 2014 DGM BRZ MT Location: SoCal Posts: 188 Thanks: 1 Thanked 120 Times in 57 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	It doesn't take much battery power to sustain the radio's memory. It looks like the battery wasn't completely dead since your panel still lit up. You might try yanking the radio's fuse and waiting an hour or two to see if it demands the code when it's turned back on. As a public service...

12-27-2013, 03:54 PM	#5
Steven@fteightysix Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 15 Thanks: 4 Thanked 24 Times in 11 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Most car stereos have a few hours of internal battery backup built into them. This allows the car to have no power (dead battery, being worked on/serviced) without the loss of clock and radio settings. Many times while switching out batteries or working on the car with the battery disconnected will cause you to use the radio code.

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