>>>
>The battery went dead and the anti-theft radio now requires a 5-digit code
>to get it working. The previous owner had written down a code in the
>owners manual, but it does not work. How and where can I get the code?
>Is there a way to defeat this system once the code is entered to avoid
>this problem in the future?

Ron replied:

>I thought I saw a post saying if you left your key in ignition (position
II??)

>for 24 hours, it will reset the code to 00000 (???) May be some one can
>confirm that. >Ron

Ron,

That would happen everytime you took a trip of any length over an hour. That's not how it works. Leave the key on enough (position I or II, doesn't matter) that the radio reads "code", leave it like that for an hour, not 59 mins, one hour. Better yet, add 5 mins. Then re-enter what you believe to be the correct code. If you hear a beep before you've completed the entry..STOP... and start over with the first digit. (You get three tries until you have to do the hour thing again.) If this doesn't work, pull the radio to get the chassis number and confirm the correct code for that number through the BMW Dealer Computer System. There is no other way. If the code is the correct one and still won't take, go buy a new radio, it's cheaper and better than repairing the old anti-theft radios (on the older cars, pre CD-Ready days.)

• -Phil Marx BMWCCA #6021