A3 radio codes

Beerbaron

Beerbaron

Beerbaron

Soldato
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The battery in my X reg A3 went flat the other day as i hadnt driven it in a few weeks and now the radio says 'safe'. The previous owner conveniently cut the code out of the handbook and Audi want £40.50 to bung in a code :confused: :mad: Apparently they have to book my car in and connect it up to web and download a code from Germany :( I could probably buy a new one for less :eek:

Surely there must be an easier and cheaper way to get my radio working?
 
:eek:

The exact same thing happened to me when my A3 had it's battery changed. Although I went to my local Audi garage and they sorted it for free.

May be a bit of a trek for you, but it was Wayside Audi in Milton Keynes.
 
I rang their Audi garage in Hitchin to start with who put me through to their head office in Milton Keynes. The VW one is in Letchworth. It might be because I didnt buy the car from them.
 
.12 Can I use VAG-COM to retrieve my Radio Code to get it out of "SAFE" mode?

No, You'll need to get the radio code from your dealer (it should also be on a card that came with your car). Neither VAG-COM nor the factory tool can retrieve the radio's security code for you. (On some late model cars the factory may be required, but it does not retrieve the code from the car, it gets it from a server belonging to VW/Audi). In many cases (particularly MY 2000 and newer cars), the radio will be in SAFE mode after disconnecting the battery, but it will automatically exit that mode after a period of time, as long as it is still installed in the same vehicle.
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Thats nice to hear, thanks. They didnt tell me that when i rang them up and gave them the reg of my car which is 2000 (X)
 
Had the same problem on my A4, Derby Audi sorted it for free. Probably a bit far for you to travel, but you could mention it to your local dealer if they insist on charging for it.
 
Have you tried calling the dealer that orginally supplied the car? It has happened to me twice - once with a VW in Southampton and once with an Audi in Charlotte - both times the original dealer that supplied the car had the code on a database and were happy to just give it to me.
 
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