We bought a used 2003 Honda Pilot but never received the manual or radio unlock card. The battery was dead so I thought nothing of it and replaced it myself to save some money. Later did I find out that the radio now requires an unlock code after power/battery is removed. Wifey not happy because she thinks I broke it. Can anyone helpme find the unlock code or tell me what it is as she doesn't want me to spend more money to fix it.

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Radio
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Model#39100-S9V-A100
Ref#CQ-JH8261Z
Serial#11147802

You'll need to head to the nearest $tealer tomorrow morning and have them run your VIN so they can retrieve the code for you.

Is the dealer going to make me grab my ankles or would they do this for free? Is there someone on this board who could help? Is there a Tel# I can call where'd they give me the matching code for the serial#?

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Originally posted by dtvboy
Is the dealer going to make me grab my ankles or would they do this for free? Is there someone on this board who could help? Is there a Tel# I can call where'd they give me the matching code for the serial#?

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If the radio has never been changed and you get in touch with the original dealer, and he is really nice and he hopes to get business from you;
THEN you might get it free.

Any dealer can get the code with the RADIO SN, but they usually charge you to check the radio SN.

Dealers always charge even for a petit assistance.

You should easily find the code inside the glove box with a long 10 digit code and you only need the first 5 digits though to unlock the radio.

Good Luck!

Levi

If retrieving the code is anything like that on an Element, it is a very easy task. When we bought our daughter's 2003 Element EX 2 years ago, I noticed no radio code card in the glovebox and inquired about the code before we left the dealership. One of the techs came out and pushed a series of buttons on the radio which produced the code on the radio screen. I then wrote it down in the owner's manual.

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Originally posted by levi
Dealers always charge even for a petit assistance.

You should easily find the code inside the glove box with a long 10 digit code and you only need the first 5 digits though to unlock the radio.

Good Luck!

Levi

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Only if the original dealer or owner puts the sticker in the glove box.

The code is 5 digits, and the sticker has 5 digits.

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Originally posted by larryziegler
If retrieving the code is anything like that on an Element, it is a very easy task. When we bought our daughter's 2003 Element EX 2 years ago, I noticed no radio code card in the glovebox and inquired about the code before we left the dealership. One of the techs came out and pushed a series of buttons on the radio which produced the code on the radio screen. I then wrote it down in the owner's manual.

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On some NEWER radios that allows you to retrieve the SN which the dealer can look up the code from.

It does not retrieve that code (would sort of defeat the purpose if it did).

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Originally posted by N_Jay


On some NEWER radios that allows you to retrieve the SN which the dealer can look up the code from.

It does not retrieve that code (would sort of defeat the purpose if it did).

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Yes...it does retrieve the code. My daughter's 2003 Element was purchased used from a local Honda dealer. It was originally sold new by a Chicago, Il Honda dealer. I was worried about having to remove the radio to access the serial number on the backside. The service tech came out, did something into the radio and voila, the code appeared on the face. The whole process took less than a minute. I wish I had been able to see what he did for future purposes. It doesn't defeat the purpose if nobody knows how to do this. When buying previously used Honda's, 2 things are always engrained in my memory to make sure exist with the vehicle......making sure the radio code exists and getting spare/valet keys.

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Originally posted by larryziegler


Yes...it does retrieve the code. My daughter's 2003 Element was purchased used from a local Honda dealer. It was originally sold new by a Chicago, Il Honda dealer. I was worried about having to remove the radio to access the serial number on the backside. The service tech came out, did something into the radio and voila, the code appeared on the face. The whole process took less than a minute. I wish I had been able to see what he did for future purposes. It doesn't defeat the purpose if nobody knows how to do this. When buying previously used Honda's, 2 things are always engrained in my memory to make sure exist with the vehicle......making sure the radio code exists and getting spare/valet keys.

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Tim, Comments??

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Originally posted by larryziegler
...
It doesn't defeat the purpose if nobody knows how to do this.
...

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Shirley, you can't be serious. It sure as he11 does defeat the purpose. Once anybody knows how to do it, everybody knows how to do it. This info would be out on the web in a New York nanosecond. It would actually encourage the theft of Honda radios. I'm not saying it's not true, I'm saying it doesn't make sense.

Don't mean to be cynical here, but I noticed on the Acura forum, almost everyone who is asking for the radio codes are new members with one or two posts. Makes me wonder if something funny is going on.

My opinion is not to give the code here on a public forum but have them go to the dealer to get the code (to verify identity). Or they can call Honda customer service.

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Originally posted by RocketMan
Don't mean to be cynical here, but I noticed on the Acura forum, almost everyone who is asking for the radio codes are new members with one or two posts. Makes me wonder if something funny is going on.

My opinion is not to give the code here on a public forum but have them go to the dealer to get the code (to verify identity). Or they can call Honda customer service.

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Hu???

Each radio has its own code.

The question is: Does the magic key press on the radio give you the code or does it give just the SN so you can get the code from Honda?

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Originally posted by N_Jay


Hu???

Each radio has its own code.

The question is: Does the magic key press on the radio give you the code or does it give just the SN so you can get the code from Honda?

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As I mentioned earlier with our Element, the actual code...not serial number was produced on the face of the radio. I then wrote the number inside the owners manual.

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Originally posted by larryziegler


As I mentioned earlier with our Element, the actual code...not serial number was produced on the face of the radio. I then wrote the number inside the owners manual.

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As I asked earlier;
Tim, Comments?

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Originally posted by krygny

Shirley, you can't be serious. It sure as he11 does defeat the purpose. Once anybody knows how to do it, everybody knows how to do it. This info would be out on the web in a New York nanosecond. It would actually encourage the theft of Honda radios. I'm not saying it's not true, I'm saying it doesn't make sense.

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Taking your comment at hand, doesn't the fact the Honda puts stickers inside the glovebox of our Pilots that has the radio code on it defeat the purpose of keeping the code secretive....and I accept the fact that if the thief removes the stereo and forgets to get that code, then they are out of luck. But the information still exists inside our model of vehicles.

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Originally posted by larryziegler


Taking your comment at hand, doesn't the fact the Honda puts stickers inside the glovebox of our Pilots that has the radio code on it defeat the purpose of keeping the code secretive....and I accept the fact that if the thief removes the stereo and forgets to get that code, then they are out of luck. But the information still exists inside our model of vehicles.

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Normally the stickers are not put on by the dealer.

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Originally posted by larryziegler
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doesn't the fact the Honda puts stickers inside the glovebox of our Pilots that has the radio code on it defeat the purpose of keeping the code secretive
...

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Yes.

I cannot confirm or deny that this monumentally stupid conduct has been practiced. My code came on a plastic card in the documentation package.

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Originally posted by krygny

Yes.

I cannot confirm or deny that this monumentally stupid conduct has been practiced. My code came on a plastic card in the documentation package.

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The car comes with stickers, the dealers usually forget (or just don't) put them on.

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Originally posted by N_Jay
...Any dealer can get the code with the RADIO SN, but they usually charge you to check the radio SN.

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dtvboy should be okay. He already removed the radio from the dash, so the Dealer should have little reason to charge him for the work. All the Dealer needs to do is get a look at the VIN, the radio code, and driver's license to look up the radio code.;)

:( I got the code, but the Stealership charged me 1/2hr labour ($45) just to give me the code even though I have the serial #.

I guess even that info is not free.

:(

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Originally posted by dtvboy
:( I got the code, but the Stealership charged me 1/2hr labour ($45) just to give me the code even though I have the serial #.

I guess even that info is not free.

:(

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Despicable. That's something any dealer should do as a courtesy even to non-original owners (and maybe most dealers do). It almost leads you to believe the whole thing is as much a revenue stream as a security measure.

Ladies and gentlemen, we now have exhibit one as to how stealerships got that nickname

You should easily find the code inside the glove box with a long 10 digit code and you only need the first 5 digits though to unlock the radio.

That tip is absolutely correct!!! Thanks a lot!!!
Found the sticker in the glove box, punched in the first 5 digits and voila! radio is back in service!!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by dtvboy
:( I got the code, but the Stealership charged me 1/2hr labour ($45) just to give me the code even though I have the serial #.

I guess even that info is not free.

:(

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Great that you now have the code but what a drag about that dealer. You don't have your location in your profile but how about giving us the dealer name and location so the rest of us know to avoid them!

Thanks!
Larry.

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Originally posted by Weckmann
You should easily find the code inside the glove box with a long 10 digit code and you only need the first 5 digits though to unlock the radio.

That tip is absolutely correct!!! Thanks a lot!!!
Found the sticker in the glove box, punched in the first 5 digits and voila! radio is back in service!!!!

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Not all Pilots have the radio code stickers hidden on the glove box or anywhere. Seems to be a bit of a security violation if you ask me. Any thief that knows about Pilots would know to look there when stealing the stereo (or would look there when stealing the whole car!).

My '06 Pilot didn't have the radio code hidden anywhere that I could find and I'm glad about that!

Good luck!
Larry.

If I remember correctly, you can save your radio unlock code on the Honda Ownerlink site. That way, the people who are worried about keeping the card/sticker in the glovebox don't have to worry about it not being secure or not being able to find it if they ever have to disconnect their battery.

I am just having to replace the factory AM/FM CD in my daughter's 03 Element as the CD has been stuck. They want $200 to repair and $500+ for a brand new unit. I found a used factory unit identical for $80, but it did not come with the code. I took the unit, along with my receipt to my favorite Honda dealer and they had the printout with the code in my hands in less than 2 minutes...NO CHARGE! :D
It looks like an easy install, and if it isn't, then I'll pay a stereo shop the $45 they want. I stuck with the factory unit, as the EX Element has the built in mp-3 jack on the dash, that becomes unusable if I go the aftermarket route.

I haven't been here for a while but I was doing some research on speakers and found this post. I can clarify the security question a bit - I"m the Parts Manager at Kelly Honda in Lynn, MA.
Speaking from experience, there is a series of buttons you can hold, which I cannot divulge here, to produce the SN only of the audio unit. (The V.I.N. will not produce an audio security code by the way.) This procedure began with the 03 Civic - so we've been told - but have found that it works on some earlier models also. You would still need to contact a dealer and, as well as the SN, you will need to provide an ID and proof of ownership of the vehicle. Any reputable dealer will require this - there are some that just don't care about security and will give it over the phone - for shame!
As far as charging for giving a code goes - if you come to us with the audio SN and required doc's - we're not going to charge you for the code. All we have to do is punch some numbers on the network and get a code. If you have an older vehicle which requires removal of the audio unit to retrieve the SN - then yes - there is a charge. It's not that "we" are "stealerships", it's that we are providing a service which requires a tech's time and it must be accounted for.
Techs make good money because they've been trained and have put their time in and deserve it. The knowledge they are required to have with today's computer networks on wheels - forget the mechanical aspect - is astounding.
To be honest - I don't know what our charge would be for the removal - but $45 doesn't seem out of the realm. Being on this side of the fence I see what we lay out each month in expenses to cover everything from lighting to trash pickup - it's absolutely nuts!
That's my 2 cents - if you need a code and are in my area then come see me (with required documentation). If you have the audio SN - no charge! If you don't have it - get it or we can do it for you - for a fee.
If I can be of assistance in other ways then look me up. Glad to help if I can.

Although, I have no stickers in my glove compartment.

Very helpful, there was a sticker in the glove box, those numbers did not unlock the radio but we did find the card and the sticker in the glove box matches the serial # of the radio.

We are back in business.

Not this thread but the battery lasted 6 years plus, impressive!

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Originally posted by partsiam
I haven't been here for a while but I was doing some research on speakers and found this post. I can clarify the security question a bit - I"m the Parts Manager at Kelly Honda in Lynn, MA.
Speaking from experience, there is a series of buttons you can hold, which I cannot divulge here, to produce the SN only of the audio unit. (The V.I.N. will not produce an audio security code by the way.) This procedure began with the 03 Civic - so we've been told - but have found that it works on some earlier models also. You would still need to contact a dealer and, as well as the SN, you will need to provide an ID and proof of ownership of the vehicle. Any reputable dealer will require this - there are some that just don't care about security and will give it over the phone - for shame!
As far as charging for giving a code goes - if you come to us with the audio SN and required doc's - we're not going to charge you for the code. All we have to do is punch some numbers on the network and get a code. If you have an older vehicle which requires removal of the audio unit to retrieve the SN - then yes - there is a charge. It's not that "we" are "stealerships", it's that we are providing a service which requires a tech's time and it must be accounted for.
Techs make good money because they've been trained and have put their time in and deserve it. The knowledge they are required to have with today's computer networks on wheels - forget the mechanical aspect - is astounding.
To be honest - I don't know what our charge would be for the removal - but $45 doesn't seem out of the realm. Being on this side of the fence I see what we lay out each month in expenses to cover everything from lighting to trash pickup - it's absolutely nuts!
That's my 2 cents - if you need a code and are in my area then come see me (with required documentation). If you have the audio SN - no charge! If you don't have it - get it or we can do it for you - for a fee.
If I can be of assistance in other ways then look me up. Glad to help if I can.

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I purchased my Pilot used and did not receive the card with the radio code or anything with the Nav system code. My battery was dead when I returned from a trip and all it took was a 2 minute phone call to the original dealer to get both codes. I'm ok with that and here's why. Most stereo thefts are simple smash and grabs; meaning the thief sees a car, smashes the window, yanks the stereo out and is on his merry way in seconds. The time it would take to write down the VIN is precious time that increases the likelihood that they'll get caught. They probably aren't smart enough to plan that far ahead anyway. Also, there is not a big black market for used factory audio gear. If the factory stuff was that good, there wouldn't be such big business selling "upgraded" after market stuff.