DIY: Bose Symphony Radio Controls

[j_korteS4]

In my car the key doesn't need to be in to power on the stereo.

[01 S4]

this is the second time the radio safe code has saved me thanks Adam

[thrilos5]

very helpfull info
thanks

[cmagalis]

Anyone know where to call to recover the code for the receiver? I lost the slip of paper with it.

[MonroeS4]

It's common for laser players with a horizontal orientation to accumulate some dust on the laser head. Remember it's reading the bottom of the disc. Use of a mechanical brush type cleaner disc or just compressed air(get the can at Radio Shack or a PC store) to clean it will do wonders.

[MonroeS4]

I don't seem to have any code protection on my radio. Had this car for over a year and there is no code info with it. I have had service(timing belts, trans rebuild) where the battery was disconnected for a long period. Never had to enter any code afterwards. Is it possible to remove the code protection? Can a new code be created? Thanks

[DuWerk]

I work at Shokan ( www.shokan.com)
and we get cars in for dismantling all the time where there is no code. Our procedure is to let the radio sit unplugged for about 1 hour to be sure it doesn't remember the code and then plug it back in. That we are sure it doesn't need a code. We get a good amount of them with no code needed for operation. Some people like it because they don't have to hassle with it and for god sakes there is nobody stealing these units. We get theft S4's in all the time with the radio's intact. No thief is interested in a special built radio that doesn't fit or work in any other car.
I believe owners chose to have the code deleted by a dealer.
I don't think that you can re-code it without paying a dealer to do it.
I prefer no code.

Du Werk

[rsxsty1e]

just did the equalizer trick... sounds awesome

thanks

[TheMaverick]

just did the equalizer trick... sounds awesome

thanks

Wanted to do teh EQ trick but ... my Symphony unit does not have a P Scan button nor does it have any button labeled with a 5 on it. If I try the technique using the button that would be preset #5 when teh radio is on then nothing happens.

Are there several different types of Symphony units?

[1997gtx]

This is only applicable for the B5 S4 (2000-2002) radios, I believe.

Your 05 cab probably has a different radio in it.
--Adam

[TheMaverick]

This is only applicable for the B5 S4 (2000-2002) radios, I believe.

Your 05 cab probably has a different radio in it.
--Adam

Ah ... thanks.

[Kruat]

So I messed with the coding, found out my "bose" wasn't even on, turned it on and it made it sound like crap...lol

So I promptly turned it back off..sounds much better. What gives?
I believe my eq settings are: 87578767

[1997gtx]

What do you mean your bose wasn't on?

[Kruat]

Well my coding was 00003. It didn't say "bose" when I turned it on. I changed it to 00017, and it now says "bose" when you turn it on, but it sounds like crap. And it didn't change my EQ settings, cus I checked that. It sounded like it cut all the bass out. But once I changed the coding back to 00003, it back to sounding pretty good for stock.

[*Blue-Angel*]

my radio is locked. i tried what the OP said with the button pressing and that is not working...any helpfull hints on another way to get this damn radio unlocked

[MattyJ]

Try removing the radio and unplugging it and plugging it back it... We in the business call it a "German Reset" or when talking to a customer a "capacitive discharge" After that you should be able to enter your code. You might also have to leave the radio on for 1 hour if you put the wrong code in too many times. Its a built in extra security measure.

[*Blue-Angel*]

Try removing the radio and unplugging it and plugging it back it... We in the business call it a "German Reset" or when talking to a customer a "capacitive discharge" After that you should be able to enter your code. You might also have to leave the radio on for 1 hour if you put the wrong code in too many times. Its a built in extra security measure.

yeah could be that the dealer before me input a bad code several times. ill try leaving the radio on for an hr if that doesnt work ill either pull the battery terminals to reset or pull the power from the actual radio itself. thanks for you input

[1997gtx]

You do have the actual correct code, though, correct?

[*Blue-Angel*]

yeah i had a dealership look it up for me. i just havent gotten the unit to allow me to input the code yet.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Bumping this thread for all the new stereos going out lately. Awesome write up and this should be really handy for the next few weeks.

[happy2B5]

Bumping this thread for all the new stereos going out lately. Awesome write up and this should be really handy for the next few weeks.

or next month...I for one am glad to have read this. relatively new owner and had no idea. mine was flatlined at factory settings. pretty noticeable difference.

[Reich]

What if my both speakers doesn't work anymore. Left rear door speaker and trunk deck left speaker.
That looks bad right? Any way to giagnose that?

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

What if my both speakers doesn't work anymore. Left rear door speaker and trunk deck left speaker.
That looks bad right? Any way to giagnose that?

You left channel could have gone out. I'd first pull the radio and check the wiring for pinching or breaking. If that checks out, L/R issues sound like a head unit issue to me.