chrisruzin.net :: Honda Prelude Radio Code (April 22, 2006)

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Honda Prelude Radio Code

Honda logoA while back, I had written about the stupid rat from hell who decided to make its home in my engine. While doing so, it chewed up some wires that triggered an error code in my car’s computer. For some reason, even after I repaired the wires, the code couldn’t be cleared. In order to force it to clear, I had to disconnect the battery from the car for about 15 minutes. Unfortunately, by doing that my radio disabled itself and needed a code in order to work again.

I first checked in the owner’s manual to see if the previous owner had written the code down in there. They hadn’t. So I called up the Honda dealership and told them what I needed. The tech there told me the only way they could get me the code was if I removed the radio, since they need the radio serial number to look up the radio code.

In order to remove the radio, I’d have to pry off the whole center console outer ring without breaking anything, remove the screws holding the radio and then unplug all the wires to completely get it out. Then once I got the serial number, I’d have to put it all back together again. Not my idea of fun, especially if I broke something.

So I decided to check the Interweb to see if there was an easier way to get the code. It turns out there’s a MUCH easier way to find it. I found a forum thread where someone mentioned that some dealerships put the code on a sticker underneath the ashtray. Sure enough, when I checked my ashtray, there was the code! Now my radio is back up and running.

I’m pretty sure what normally happens is the average person doesn’t want to mess with removing the radio. They decide to take it down to the dealership to get it done. The techs simply look at your ashtray and then charge you $130. I’m not making that number up. Another person in that same thread said he saved himself that amount by removing his radio himself instead of letting the dealership do it.

So needless to say, I’m a happy man. I love the Internet! That thread made my day.

jimmy steel's gravatar jimmy steel United States May 4, 2006

wow, another priceless story of how the Internet saved the day. it’s good that you saved $130, but I think you are even luckier for not having to remove the entire console and breaking it, what a nightmare that would have been, cheers

Chris's gravatar Chris United States May 13, 2006

Just a note I found for anyone else reading this post on places you can find the radio code:

“The places this (ed. radio code) is most commonly found is on the left side of the glove compartment, in the trunk somewhere along the gasket or underneath where the speakers are, under the fuse-box panel in the engine compartment, under the ashtray and sometimes under the center consoles lid.”

Diggers Realm

Thom's gravatar Thom United States August 27, 2006

Thanks for the tip, my daughters car battery went dead, I found a bus car with radio code in owners manual, but it didn’t work. I was going to pull radio and get number off it, and I say your note to look under fuse-box cover and there it was! Thanks for the help

Jim H's gravatar Jim H Canada September 23, 2006

Thanks for the help. Same day I bought my 99 Civic I disconnected the battery to clean off some built up corrosion and quickly learnt about needing a radio code after a power loss. I checked and found it located in the trunk by the drivers side speaker. Thanks.

Crystal's gravatar Crystal United States January 21, 2007

I also didn’t want to pay the money for the dealership to take the radio out, (as there was no codes or numbers anywhere on our van). They say that it was SO hard to take the dash apart but it was simple. In 5 minutes I had it apart and only had to unscrew 4 screws to get the radio out!!! Within a few minutes I had the serial number, still no magic code, but HONDA says all you need is the serial number and they will give you the code. THAT BETTER BE THE CASE.

Chris B.'s gravatar Chris B. United States January 30, 2007

It worked!!!! Thanks so much. I have a ‘99 Prelude and I found my code in the trunk underneath where the speakers are. The 5-digit code was printed on a white sticker. Thanks!!!!!

robert r's gravatar robert r United States February 14, 2007

Chris B. I also have a 99 prelude and I can’t find my code anywhere…would you mind me trying the code that worked for you

lisa's gravatar lisa United States February 23, 2007

I could not find my code anywhere;tried the 1&6 preset key trick, went to the dealer. Finally got a hold of the original dealer who sold my car (located from the VIN #) and they looked up the code in their original records. No fee, no mess. No need to remove the radio or pay for a code.

Jim's gravatar Jim United States February 27, 2007

Great advice on this thread. I was at a loss with getting the code and found this link. I looked and found my code under the coin tray in my 2000 civic.

Evan Richardson's gravatar Evan Richardson United States August 21, 2007

I don’t think its that hard to pull the console out…i used a flat blade screwdriver and it took me 10 seconds to pull the fascia off, pulled the radio out gave it to the dealer…got my code….total time, maybe 5 minutes…no hard work…its very easy. btw, on my 98 prelude SH there was no code under the ashtray

Chris's gravatar Chris United States August 22, 2007

That’s great it was easy for you. There are other places the code can be found in your car besides under the ashtray. Did you check them as well?

Nicky's gravatar Nicky United States September 12, 2007

hey i have 2001 prelude was wondering if anyone can tell my where I can find the code. I don’t wanna pay $120. Help someone!

Chris's gravatar Chris United States September 12, 2007

Did you check in all the places I listed above? If you can’t find it in any of those places, I don’t know where else to tell you to look.

Nicky's gravatar Nicky United States September 12, 2007

I just checked the glove compartment and i see some code there? How many digits does it have to be? and if that is the code how do i enter it?

Chris's gravatar Chris United States September 13, 2007

My code had 5 digits. If your radio display shows ‘code’ on the front of it, then just enter the code using the number buttons on the front of the radio. If it doesn’t, try pressing the mode button until it does. If it still doesn’t say ‘code’ then you have a problem and will probably need to call the Honda dealership.

mike horn's gravatar mike horn United States October 7, 2007

I have a 2001 Prelude and this week I had to replace the battery. To make a long story short, I founfd the code on the left side of the glove compartment….Thanks Chris!!

Joseph Tran's gravatar Joseph Tran United States April 1, 2008

I have a 98 lude and was looking for the code in all those places but couldnt find it. instead I found the serial # ON the radio w.o taking the radio out :] its an easy process which required just a flashlight and sharp eyes. I laid underneath the steering wheel, removed the carpeted plate covering the center back of the console and looked inside to where the radio #’s were. (model #..etc)

The serial # was further in than i expected so i just pressed down on the lower compartment (underneath the radio) and BAM…i saw the serial # ..i called HONDA and told em i had the serial 3…BAM took 10 mins max…w.o removing anything

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