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MG MGF Technical - Radio/Cassette Code Problems

Hi Folks - Hoping someone can help here. I have a 1996 MGF with the original Radio/Cassette player. However I have lost my security card giving the radio code and the door emergency codes. Not a problem I thought as I knew that these could be retrieved by a dealer. So I have tried via my local specialist who was also sure they could retrieve both. Doors not a problem. Plug in the computer and it tells you what the number is. The radio is a different story.

Problem is that the database these codes are recorded against is only kept for 8 years and then scrubbed. So I have a 10 yr old car with a Radio/Cassette that won't work without the code and apparently no means of retrieving the code, and having only used the code once or twice in the 10 years of ownership I can't remember what it was either.

I have been told there are specialists that will remove the code completely but this costs around £70-80 (paying for their time mainly) and these days you can get new units for only a little more than that so I am loathe to take that route especially as modern units are too flashy to be in keeping with the cars age, and I would like to keep it as original as possible. So I have two questions:

1. Does anyone know how to retrieve the original code from the chassis number or radio serial given that the original database with them on has been wiped? Or

2. Does anyone have an original radio/cassette in working order that they want to sell. They need to know the radio code for it of course.

Thanks. I hope someone has some workable ideas.

Regards, Alan
A Dunstan

Why not go for this instead:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-Rover-CD-Player-Radio-25-45-MG-MGF-mgtf-with-Code_W0QQitemZ5858314406QQcategoryZ75323QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Ian Matheson

Give this bloke a try - retrieved my code from the model number and serial code (on the side of the radio) in a matter of minutes - for £9. Best of all, if it doesn't work he doesn't charge. He may be working from the same (expired) database, but worth a go at no financial risk?

http://www.davidsonelectronics.co.uk/

Will
Will Harvey

Alan,

Thanks very much for bringing this to our attention. I've a 7 year old F with the original head unit, but I forgot to get the code when I bought the car (daft I know). It's always played on my mind that if, for whatever reason I need to disconnect the battery, the radio/cass will be as good as useless.

I'm going to get myself down to my dealership sharpish. Of course I could just buy a new head unit with a CD player, but hey if it ain't broke...

Emma
Emma Jackman

if you have any dealer paperwork look for the engine number if you do you will find the code at the end of the number after the /****

Well i did!
Dave Smyth 1

No where does the radio access code appear on my original documentation as part of the engine number BUT the original invoice lists the key number and the radio access number as separate numbers plus of course the engine number and chassis number.
Ted Newman

Thanks folks for the replies but unfortunately no help. Teds paperwork side I had already thought of and went through every invoice and schedule I have from the original invoice onwards. Unfortunately it isn't there. Re the davidson electronics it is the same database.

Oh well shall have to try an advert in the MG mags to see if anyone has one to sell/dispose of. I really do want to keep it original if possible.

Thanks again folks for the help. THe moral of the story is guard that card with the numbers on well, and don't lose it.

Alan
A Dunstan

I had an Alfa radio without a code, took it to a small auto-electrics shop where they took £15 off me and gave me the code after "interrogating the internals". A Google or yellow pages search should yield a similar service. BTW they also unlocked mobile phones. Perhaps I was one of their few legitimate customers?
G Martin

I guess different dealers used different computer archiving.It was the now demolished Sargent & Collins Dealer in Bromley Kent
Dave Smyth 1

Dealers can still access the MGR system, it's still active so all codes can be retrieved. For some reason the system doesn't always recognise the Chassis number on older vehicles but will always recognise the radio/cassette serial number. Steve.
Steve T

Why not just try http://www.radio-code.co.uk/ ?
G Martin

This thread was discussed between 26/01/2006 and 28/01/2006

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