Rydell Honda of Grand Forks

Mar 18, 2021

Your car’s radio is one of the features you use most when you drive. Not only does your radio provide you with hours of entertainment while driving but it also often serves as the center of your Honda infotainment system. It can provide you with access to your music as well as your navigation, communications, and vehicle settings.

The radio in your new or used Honda operates as usual under regular use, but in some cases, you might need to reset the radio code. Sometimes you can reset the radio codes on your own, while other times you need to bring it to a dealer. If you need assistance with your Honda radio, the experienced team at Rydell Honda of Grand Forks is here to help.

Why Would You Need To Reset Your Radio Code in a Honda?

Interior Photo of the Honda Odessey 2022 with the Radio and internal console

If your Honda has lost its electrical power for an extended period, you might need to reset your radio code. A loss of power could occur if you replace the battery in your car, disconnect the battery cable, allow the battery to go completely dead, or have an issue with your alternator. In these cases, your radio could lose its reference voltage long enough that it requires a reset.

This issue could occur regardless of the Honda model you’re driving. If you lose reference voltage on your Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey, or Pilot, the radio code might need to be reset.

How To Reset Your Radio Code in a Honda

Sometimes, resetting your radio is a straightforward procedure. First, turn on the radio’s power and press the power button for two seconds. Most times, this simple procedure will allow the radio to recall its preset settings and operate normally. If this is the case, you don’t need to enter your radio code. However, this does not work in every situation. 

If you need to reset your radio code in a Honda, you must obtain the radio codes from your local Honda dealer or the Honda website. To receive the codes to reset your radio, you will need the radio serial number and your vehicle identification number (VIN). If you have a newer model radio as part of an infotainment system with GPS integrated, you will need to bring your vehicle to your local Honda dealer to have a technician reset it. 

How To Retrieve the Serial Number of Your Honda Radio

To retrieve the serial number of the radio in your Honda, follow these simple steps. Make sure you have a pen and paper handy to write down the serial number of your radio, or you can use the Notes function of your mobile device:

  1. Turn on the vehicle’s ignition (ON or AUX), but do not start the engine.
  2. Turn off the radio so the screen is blank, not showing CODE or ERR.
  3. With one hand, simultaneously press and hold the one (1) and six (6) buttons on your radio.
  4. With your free hand (and while holding down the one and six radio buttons), turn the radio on.
  5. You should see an eight-digit serial number or two shorter serial numbers, which might be separated by a dash on older models.
  6. Release the radio buttons, and either record the serial number on your piece of paper or type it into your mobile device.

How To Obtain the Radio Code for Your Honda Radio

When resetting your Honda’s radio code, the first thing you need to do is acquire that code from either the Honda website or your local dealer by providing them with your car’s VIN. Retrieve your 17-digit VIN from the driver’s center pillar post, the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield, your insurance card, or your vehicle registration card. Then obtain the five-digit radio code from your dealer or the Honda website. You will need the radio serial number in addition to your VIN number in both cases. This step should be easy and cost nothing.

How To Enter the Radio Code

Once you have the five-digit radio code from your Honda dealer or the Honda website, return to your vehicle. Complete the following series of steps to reset your radio code:

  1. Turn the vehicle ignition to ON or AUX, but do not start the engine.
  2. Turn on the radio. The radio should show the word CODE.
  3. Enter the five-digit code, and the radio should return to normal.

If the radio is showing ERR instead of CODE, turn off the vehicle and disconnect the black cable on your battery for one to three minutes. This step will reset the system. Reconnect the cable and repeat the above steps.

If you still cannot reset your radio, or if these steps seem unnerving, you can contact your local Honda dealer, and an experienced team of technicians will help you reset the radio code in your vehicle.

Why Choose Rydell Honda of Grand Forks?

You have multiple Honda dealers to choose from when you’re ready to purchase a vehicle or have it serviced. Leonard Rydell founded the Rydell Company in the 1940s. What began as a humble family dealership has grown into more than 83 dealerships in 17 states and continues to expand. Despite tremendous growth, we’ve stayed true to our humble beginnings. We believe in our vision statement of “To be so effective that we are able to be helpful to others” and strive to remain an industry leader. 

In response to the current environment, we’ve instituted no-contact service protocols. If you are concerned about bringing your vehicle in for service, you can relax knowing you don’t have to interact with many people. When you arrive, you’ll sit in your vehicle while we take notes from a distance, and in the lounge, you’ll be 6 feet apart from all other customers. 

Contact Rydell Honda of Grand Forks

Once we complete your maintenance or reset your radio code, we’ll thoroughly sanitize your vehicle and finalize your bill while continuing to social distance. We don’t want you to skip necessary maintenance. Contact us today to make an appointment.