as a noob that I am, I am not sure which battery I need to disconnect to reset the code. I think I have the correct radio code but unfortunately I believe it went into "anti-theft" mode after I tried the wrong one 3 times. I know there are 2 batteries but I am not sure which one is the one I need to disconnect to reset the radio.

both - they are connected together

both - they are connected together
so I have to disconnect both for 15 minutes? I want to make sure I do this right since this code issue has cost me about a month now lol

Don't have to disconnect the batteries if it is already reading code.

You need to leave the radio ON for about 2 hours and it will accept another try at inputting the code.

Terry is correct. 2 hours with the radio on. Then put in the code and that is it. I just went over this. If you put in the incorrect code more then 5 times you will have to wait 2 hours. Just remember if you miss a number just finish off the 5 digits and then try again. Don't start over. This was my problem. Hope all goes well. Look at owners manual. Cheers from the other Carter.

yeah actually its 3 times and problem I have is, I can't leave car on for 2 hours. I live in apt and I don't drive that car that often.

anyone know if disconnecting batteries would reset radio?

Yes. As they have mentioned. There's another way of doing it but it's not as easy as the battery. Take off the center counsel and disconnect the harness to the radio.

Yes. As they have mentioned. There's another way of doing it but it's not as easy as the battery. Take off the center counsel and disconnect the harness to the radio.
wait what do you mean?

he means that if you remove the radio from the console and disconnect the square plug on the back, it would be the same as disconnecting the battery, only you don't lose the memory settings for you mirrors, seats, etc. Also, if you do NOT have the radio code, you will need to remove the radio anyway to retrieve the serial number so the dealer can get you the correct unlock code.

One other thing, radio removal does not require removal of the center console. Open 2 small "doors" on sides of radio face and unscrew bolts holding radio to dash. A special BMW radio removal wrench is needed.

True.....but I figured if he was having issues disconnecting the battery he wasn't sporting a special tool or special skills..lol no pun intended..some people cant unscrew a lighbulb.:cool

One other thing, radio removal does not require removal of the center console. Open 2 small "doors" on sides of radio face and unscrew bolts holding radio to dash. A special BMW radio removal wrench is needed.


small jewelers screwdriver will work also

But then again if the radio requires 2 hours of On time to run down a timer then no amount of Off time will reset it :(

It took an hour for my CD43 to reset and accept the code.

Have a problem with the FM reception now though. After the initial installation and everything was good, I had to power down my car and of course re-enter the code. No problem there, except the FM reception sucks. I checked and the head unit is still set for the US. Anyone have any ideas? Yes, the antenna is connected.

Thanks and Yo,
Rod

It took an hour for my CD43 to reset and accept the code.

Have a problem with the FM reception now though. After the initial installation and everything was good, I had to power down my car and of course re-enter the code. No problem there, except the FM reception sucks. I checked and the head unit is still set for the US. Anyone have any ideas? Yes, the antenna is connected.

Thanks and Yo,
Rod

Do you have an antenna booster? Is it connected properly? I am not sure about stock but I have an antenna booster behind the driver side C piller of the car. Since there is no external antenna, the antenna booster helps a lot.

Ahmed,

Thanks for your response. I honestly don't know if I have an antenna booster. I will say it is all stock. The thing is that before I powered down the car, it worked great. Initially I thought I had lost the US setting, but it is still there. I alway like to go with the "what did you do to it last?" question when a problem pops up, and the answer, in this case, would be I powered it down.
Any ideas?

Yo,
Rod

Check fuse F41 in the back fuse block. Reseating it may fix the problem if it isn't blown.

It took an hour for my CD43 to reset and accept the code.

Have a problem with the FM reception now though. After the initial installation and everything was good, I had to power down my car and of course re-enter the code. No problem there, except the FM reception sucks. I checked and the head unit is still set for the US. Anyone have any ideas? Yes, the antenna is connected.

Thanks and Yo,
Rod
Rod, took you an hour with car being on? for an hour?

yes... i walked back in the garage after exactly one hour and the head unit displayed "CODE"... I did the input correctly and it was all good.
Ignition on, head unit powered, car not running.
Which model do you have? Mine is a CD43 single CD unit.
Per the manual and I quote...
"If this happens you must leave the vehicles ignition and radio on for 1 hour. After 1 hour you may re-enter the proper code"

Yo,
Rod

Check fuse F41 in the back fuse block. Reseating it may fix the problem if it isn't blown.

Thanks for your response Terry... I'll check it out. May I ask the function of that particular fuse?

Yo,
Rod

F41 is the power to the antenna amplifier thru the defogger relay.

For those with a steering column adjustment problem F40 is the fuse to check.

The rear fuse box is in the same space as the left battery so there is the potential of contact corrosion if the battery is not perfectly vented. Removing the fuse to check it and then replacing it causes new clean contact area to be formed.

Terry,

Thanks Bro... will check it out. Another question ... can I cause a short and burn the fuse by hooking up the antenna with the car hot?

Yo,
Rod

Terry,

Thanks Bro... will check it out. Another question ... can I cause a short and burn the fuse by hooking up the antenna with the car hot?

Yo,
Rod

Only if you are playing with jumper wires to ground could you cause a short ;)

Replacing a fuse correctly in its terminals is like turning on a light switch.:)