How to enter a Philips radio code

Which buttons set the numbers, which one finishes, and what the screen does if it is wrong.

Before you start

Get the code right first time if you can. Most radios allow a set number of tries and then lock themselves for an hour or more — and a few stop for good. If you are not certain of the code, stop and check the serial against the label rather than guessing.

Fiat Philips

Units: Philips-made Fiat radios
Fitted to: Fiat group cars with a Philips-made radio.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. It is not shown on screen, so take the radio out.
  2. Copy the serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers starting FIF.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting FIF

Putting the code in

  1. Usually: press button 1, set the number with the tuning buttons, then press button 1 again.
  2. Do the same for all 4 numbers. The exact steps vary from radio to radio.

If it refuses the code: Each wrong try adds a longer delay. Keep the radio switched on while it counts down.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Ford Philips (early 1990s)

Units: Philips-made Ford radios from the early 1990s
Fitted to: Fords of the early 1990s with a Philips-made radio.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. It is not shown on screen, so take the radio out.
  2. Copy the serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers starting FO.
  3. See an M or V and 6 numbers when you hold two buttons? Type that in instead for an instant code.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting FO

Putting the code in

  1. Usually: press button 1, set the number with the tuning buttons, then press button 1 again.
  2. Do the same for all 4 numbers. The exact steps vary from radio to radio.

If it refuses the code: Each wrong try adds a longer delay. Keep the radio switched on while it counts down.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Vauxhall CDR500 / CDR2005

Units: The CDR500 and CDR2005 CD radios
Fitted to: Vauxhall and Opel, including the Astra, Corsa, Zafira, Vectra, Meriva, Combo, Omega and Signum.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. The serial is not shown on screen.
  2. Take the radio out with radio removal keys (some have extra screws to undo first).
  3. Copy the serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers starting GM.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting GM

Putting the code in

  1. Hold AS and switch the radio on. The screen shows SAFE, then 10 - - - -.
  2. Buttons 1 to 4 set each number.
  3. Hold AS until it beeps.

If it refuses the code: You only get 10 tries before the radio locks for good, so please don’t guess.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Honda Philips (early 1990s)

Units: Philips-made Honda radios from the early 1990s
Fitted to: Hondas of the early 1990s with a Philips-made radio.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. It is not shown on screen, so take the radio out.
  2. Copy the serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers starting HO.
  3. Have U and L numbers, or an 8-number serial? Type that in instead.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting HO

Putting the code in

  1. Usually: press button 1, set the number with the tuning buttons, then press button 1 again.
  2. Do the same for all 4 numbers. The exact steps vary from radio to radio.

If it refuses the code: Each wrong try adds a longer delay. Keep the radio switched on while it counts down.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Philips own-brand

Units: Philips 22DC, 22RC, 90DC and 90RC series, serials starting PH
Fitted to: Any car: these Philips radios were sold in shops and fitted afterwards.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. It is not shown on screen, so take the radio out.
  2. Copy the serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers starting PH.
  3. Starts PHAP or PHAC? That is a Peugeot or Citroën radio, and the free check will spot it.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting PH

Putting the code in

  1. Buttons 1 to 4 set each number.
  2. Hold button 5 or the tuning knob to finish.

If it refuses the code: Each wrong try adds a longer delay. Keep the radio powered while it counts down.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Philips (other)

Units: Precodes NI667S, NI699F, MI610S, PE670F and PE680F
Fitted to: Various cars with a Philips-made radio.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. It is not shown on screen, so take the radio out.
  2. Copy the whole serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers

Putting the code in

  1. Usually: press button 1, set the number with the tuning buttons, then press button 1 again.
  2. Do the same for all 4 numbers. The exact steps vary from radio to radio.

If it refuses the code: Each wrong try adds a longer wait. Keep the radio switched on while it counts down.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Peugeot / Citroën Philips 22RC465

Units: Philips-made Peugeot and Citroën radios from the late 1990s
Fitted to: Peugeot and Citroën of the late 1990s, such as the Citroën Xsara.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. It is not shown on screen, so take the radio out with radio removal keys.
  2. Copy the serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers starting PHAP.
  3. Radio says RD3? That is a different radio, so type in its own serial instead.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting PHAP

Putting the code in

  1. The steps vary from radio to radio (they are not the same as the RD3).

If it refuses the code: Radio locked? Leave the ignition on for a full hour.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Renault Philips (1989–1997)

Units: Philips-made Renault radios from 1989 to 1997
Fitted to: Renaults from about 1989 to 1997 with a Philips-made radio.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. It is not shown on screen, so take the radio out.
  2. Copy the serial from the label (not the handbook): 14 letters and numbers starting RN.
  3. Buttons 1 and 6 show a code like A123? Type that in instead: it is a precode.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting RN

Putting the code in

  1. Buttons 1 to 4 set each number.
  2. Hold button 6 for about 5 seconds to finish.

If it refuses the code: Each wrong try adds a longer delay. Keep the radio powered while it counts down.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Rover / MG / Mini Philips

Units: Philips R570, R670 and R681
Fitted to: Rover, Austin, MG and the classic Mini of the 1980s and 1990s, such as the Metro, Maestro, Montego and Rover 200 and 400.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. Take the radio out.
  2. Copy the serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers starting AR or RG.
  3. It is also on the Security Information card, if you have it.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting AR or RG

Putting the code in

  1. The screen shows CODE (or -C-).
  2. Press button 1, set the first number with the tuning buttons, then press button 1 again.
  3. Do the same for all 4 numbers. Two beeps mean it worked.

If it refuses the code: Err or WAIT: the wait gets longer each time. Keep the radio switched on.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Subaru Philips (early 1990s)

Units: Philips-made Subaru radios from the early 1990s
Fitted to: Subarus of the early 1990s, such as the Legacy and Impreza.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. It is not shown on screen, so take the radio out.
  2. Copy the serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers starting SU.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting SU

Putting the code in

  1. Usually: press button 1, set the number with the tuning buttons, then press button 1 again.
  2. Do the same for all 4 numbers. The exact steps vary from radio to radio.

If it refuses the code: Each wrong try adds a longer delay. Keep the radio switched on while it counts down.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

Volvo VC-series (Philips)

Units: Volvo VC-601, VC-602, VC-608, VC-708 and VC-802
Fitted to: Volvos of the late 1980s and 1990s, such as the 240, 440, 850 and 940.

Getting the serial first

You need the code before any of this is any use, and the code comes from the serial.

  1. Take the radio out.
  2. Copy the serial from the label: 14 letters and numbers starting VO.

What it looks like: 14 letters and numbers starting VO

Putting the code in

  1. VC-601 and VC-608: press P1, set each number with the station button, then press P1 to save.
  2. VC-602 and VC-802: press P1 until COD shows, then set each number with the right tuning arrow.

If it refuses the code: Leave the radio on for up to 2 hours after a failed try.

Check whether this is the radio you have →

If the code is refused

Nine times in ten it is one of three things. The code belongs to a different radio, because the serial was misread — an O taken for a zero, or a 1 for an I. The numbers went in in the wrong order. Or the radio is already counting down from an earlier attempt and will not take anything until it clears.

Stop before you use up the tries. Read what the display is telling you first: LOCKED, WAIT, SAFE and ERR each mean something different, and most of them just want the ignition left on for an hour.

Still stuck?

If the code came from us and the radio will not take it, say so on your order page and we will put it right or refund you. That is the whole point of the guarantee: a code that does not work is not a code you paid for.