Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Radio Key Codes

I am attempting to swap a stock CD player for my casette player in my 98 Contour SVT. The shop manual says to be sure to have the Radio Key Code. You are supposed to "Enter" this code after installing the new audio unit.

Huh?

What is a Radio Key Code, and how do I get it?

Sounds like what both my moms car and the 6000 have, but I didn't know that these cars had it. With the 6000, you have to hold down the "1" and "4" presets until it says "code?" on the display, and then you enter a 6-digit code, if you don't enter the code, you don't hear the radio!

Since you haven't heard of these cars having the radio key code, it could be that the shop manual is wrong. It is the shop manual for all Ford products, but I did have it in the Contique section.

But where do you get the code to begin with? Can you get the code out of the existing audio unit? What happens if the battery is disconnected? I bought the car used, and if the code is required once the unit is turned off (i.e. hard off, battery disconnect), what am I to do if the battery dies?

I know nothing of this sort on a Contour... Replaced my head unit no problem. Is the code for the new head unit? If not, then who cares if the old head unit wants a code; it wont be in the car anymore! -Nick

i don't ever remember any ford factory stereo having a security code...especially not on a tour....my wife's jag has one,that is if you remove the factory stereo,and reinstall it,a code has to be entered for it to work again...the jag codes are unique to the particular car...i doubt your contour has one...you should chunk the factory unit for an aftermarket unit anyway,and have no need to worry about any codes..

I suspect that you found this information in the Haynes manual. The one big fault with this otherwise great manual is that they have merged the US manual with the European manual and have overlapped a lot of things that are unique to the European car.

The US Contour does not use radio codes. I suspect that the European Mondeo does. This is common practice and is used by Volvo, Saab, and Volkswagen that I am familiar with and probably more that I am not as familiar with.

Do pre-98 Mondeos use the same 1+1 radio style that we pre-98s have? Meaning Cassette/Radio in one DIN hole, CD in another DIN hole, or do they use DIN.5 style?

I got the information from the Ford Service Manual for 1998 that I have on CD. One of the steps under Contour/Mystique radio install/uninstall was to get/enter the key codes, but who knows, the step could be an error.

I just don't want to disconnect the battery, install the (new) CD player/head unit, and then be asked for a key code that I don't have and don't know how to get.

Has anyone ever had to, under any circumstances, enter a key code to operate the factory head unit in a Contour, especially after a head unit was swapped out or the battery was disconnected?

It sounds like this problem isn't ringing a bell for most people.

But then, a lot of people replace their factory head units with aftermarket units typically for more power. In that case the codes wouldn't be a problem, anyway.

I had a factory CD. Since replaced. But I had my Battery terminals off, lost time, presets, but it never asked for codes.

I don't think the factory unit asks for codes.

Might be a manual error. My owners manual and CD for 99 shows the wrong fuse box. Found other minor errors. Probably an error. Besides, who would want to take the Factory CD anyway. Without the amplifier it is worthless. With the amplifier it is still worthless....

edit: Just thought of something...do you have factory alarm....that may require a code and may be attached to radio. I vaguely recall someone having alarm problems and it was a loose radio connection...I am not sure though....anyone else?