VW dealers now charging $65 for radio codes

grubyuppie · Mar 18, 2019

All dealers now have a new policy from VW to charge for radio codes.

I'm looking for anyone who has access to radio codes for a 2001 Monsoon deck that I got from upullupay that did not have a code card in the vehicle. I have the radio SN# and the NB VIN# but no code.

Nero Morg · Mar 18, 2019

Have you tried calling other dealers? I called one in my neck of the woods not long ago and they did it without asking for any money. Unless it's a super recent change.

Jetta_Pilot · Mar 18, 2019

grubyuppie said:
All dealers now have a new policy from VW to charge for radio codes.
I'm looking for anyone who has access to radio codes for a 2001 Monsoon deck that I got from upullupay that did not have a code card in the vehicle. I have the radio SN# and the NB VIN# but no code.

Sometimes the code was written on the rear of the radio!

With a radio this old the dealer may get you the code for a price, but they usually want the matching VIN of the car to prove the radio was not stolen.

grubyuppie · Mar 18, 2019

Nero Morg said:
Have you tried calling other dealers? I called one in my neck of the woods not long ago and they did it without asking for any money. Unless it's a super recent change.

I actually called 5 different dealers in 4 different states. I was told by one dealer that it is a new policy within the past 6 months.

grubyuppie · Mar 18, 2019

Jetta_Pilot said:
Sometimes the code was written on the rear of the radio!

With a radio this old the dealer may get you the code for a price, but they usually want the matching VIN of the car to prove the radio was not stolen.

There is no code on the radio.

I do have the VIN of the car.

jettawreck · Mar 18, 2019

grubyuppie said:
I actually called 5 different dealers in 4 different states. I was told by one dealer that it is a new policy within the past 6 months.

And yet the owner's manual states that the code will be provided to the owner at no charge. But, I suppose since it's not the original radio to the vehicle they have a legitimate reason for the service charge.
In the past, I've recieved the code(s) for no charge from most dealers. Policies change, seldom for the better...

KLXD · Mar 18, 2019

This reminds me of when I bought my used low mile '16 VW. When we had done the deal and gone out to drive away the salesman remarked that it had both keys and they usually don't.

I told him if it didn't we'd be leaving without the car.

Anyway, I did later ask for the radio code mentioned in the owners manual. Supposed to have been on a card as I recall. He called back and said the service guy said there is none.

Idunno why the book says there is but everyone says there isn't.

Genesis · Mar 18, 2019

There is BUT as long as the radio is in the same vehicle as it was originally installed in it won't ask for it even if you disconnect and reconnect it (or the power.)

If not, however.....

(At least this is true for the Monsoon series -- no idea on the newer ones.)

grubyuppie · Mar 18, 2019

Genesis said:
There is BUT as long as the radio is in the same vehicle as it was originally installed in it won't ask for it even if you disconnect and reconnect it (or the power.)

If not, however.....

(At least this is true for the Monsoon series -- no idea on the newer ones.)

Regarding my project, the Monsoon deck is from a different NB.

burn_your_money · Mar 18, 2019

$22 apparently. https://www.vwcodes.org/vwcodes/

From here: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=495227

grubyuppie · Mar 18, 2019

burn_your_money said:
$22 apparently. https://www.vwcodes.org/vwcodes/

From here: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=495227

BYM, cheers. I will consider that route if I don't make a connection with someone who can help me out por gratis. I'm reluctant to pay because I don't know if the deck works.

Andrew Dale · Mar 18, 2019

Have you considered an adapter for a more modern deck with bluetooth/sub outs/digital EQ/cool colours?

grubyuppie · Mar 19, 2019

Andrew Dale said:
Have you considered an adapter for a more modern deck with bluetooth/sub outs/digital EQ/cool colours?

Fer sher I have installed aftermarket decks in Beetles and that's kool.

This project is about installing a Monsoon deck that has no code.

grubyuppie · Mar 19, 2019

Andrew Dale said:
Have you considered an adapter for a more modern deck with bluetooth/sub outs/digital EQ/cool colours?

The reason why I want to rock this Monsoon is because it's a $10 deck and I only to listen to public radio.

BobnOH · Mar 19, 2019

If you can, take it in to different dealerships, they can do it for free if they want to.

grubyuppie · Mar 19, 2019

BobnOH said:
If you can, take it in to different dealerships, they can do it for free if they want to.

I've called 8 different dealers in 5 different states and they all say the same thing although the prices are different.

The policy is new and it is from VW and applies to all dealers. VW requires dealers to charge for 1/2 labor to provide a radio code.

BobnOH · Mar 19, 2019

Yea, I read that. Sometimes showing up and talking to the service person will yield a different result. Believe they just input the number off the radio. They can charge whatever they want.

grubyuppie · Mar 19, 2019

BobnOH said:
Yea, I read that. Sometimes showing up and talking to the service person will yield a different result. Believe they just input the number off the radio. They can charge whatever they want.

We did go to only one dealer in person here in Albuquerque where I have received several radio codes over the years. The other dealer is not that convenient to my location to make a trip there.
I'm reluctant to pay for a code since I don't know if the radio is operational.

BobnOH · Mar 19, 2019

Yea, for sure. Anything over $5 for 30 seconds work seems a bit steep. Always heard of people getting them for free, imagine you have to get lucky or know someone.

grubyuppie · Mar 19, 2019

BobnOH said:
Yea, for sure. Anything over $5 for 30 seconds work seems a bit steep. Always heard of people getting them for free, imagine you have to get lucky or know someone.

I'm trying to get lucky and meet someone on this Fred's page!

vwztips · Mar 19, 2019

I used this site https://www.vwcodes.org/vwcodes/

$13 for the Monsoon. Had it emailed to me in about 30 mins

grubyuppie · Mar 19, 2019

vwztips said:
I used this site https://www.vwcodes.org/vwcodes/

$13 for the Monsoon. Had it emailed to me in about 30 mins

Nice!
I wonder if their access still works since VW changed their policy. They must have an old database saved.

BobnOH · Mar 19, 2019

It looks like a VW affiliated business, might even be a dealership. Don't give up, maybe you'll come across someone who works there and can get it for you.

mjydrafter · Mar 19, 2019

I tried getting a code last summer, both dealerships I called said NO. One had me call VW corporate, who said NO.

I went with that link. Way easier than the dealership run around.

grubyuppie · Mar 19, 2019

mjydrafter said:
I tried getting a code last summer, both dealerships I called said NO. One had me call VW corporate, who said NO.

I went with that link. Way easier than the dealership run around.

$13 is starting to sound like the new free.

vwztips · Mar 19, 2019

Yes, i used it right after VW changed their procedure

grubyuppie · Mar 19, 2019

vwztips said:
Yes, i used it right after VW changed their procedure

I wish there was a way to test the Monsoon head before paying for the code.

vwztips · Mar 19, 2019

If it powers up and ask for code it should be fine

grubyuppie · Mar 19, 2019

vwztips said:
If it powers up and ask for code it should be fine

Cheers

bizzle · Mar 19, 2019

You're not paying for the code, you're paying for the technology that makes codes possible

VW dealers now charging $65 for radio codes

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