SAFE mode will not go away

vegasaudi · 07-31-2004, 09:51 AM

I bought a 2002 A6 2.7T from a dealership with the radio on "SAFE" . It will not leave "SAFE" mode for me to enter the 4 digit code. The dealer out here removed the radio, checked it, and said he had to order a new one (6-8 weeks - what a joke). I have tried just about everything - held down all combinations of buttons including RDS and AS as called out in manual - let it wait an hour - pulled fuse. Nothing works. Any other ideas. Thanks in advance.

saakey · 07-31-2004, 09:56 AM

Uncle Castro · 07-31-2004, 10:32 AM

vegasaudi · 07-31-2004, 10:42 AM

I cannot enter a code because SAFE is the only word which appears on the radio. The dealer I bought it from was not an Audi dealer - so they were no help in telling me how it came to this point.

6ULDV8 · 07-31-2004, 11:46 AM

In both cases the radio had to be replaced. Sadly that was before the introduction of the new VAS (Volkswagen Audi Solution) 5051. I'm thinking the new VAS 5051 system can enter the code bypassing the old manual entry. As I understand it, the VAS can extract the serial number of the radio, communicate with Audi main system via the internet, gather the correct code and then program it back into the radio. The technician never even sees the code. You need to speak to a competent Audi service advisor (sorry I dont know how you do that). The VAS system is the most sophisticated diagnostic tool to date. Given technology available to us today, its surprising that all manufacturers have not come up with similar systems. The nicest feature of the system is Telediagnostics. With the 5051 hooked up the car and the internet, Audi technicians sitting in a room somewhere in Germany can remotely see any value block, activate and interrogate any component on the vehicle. Not rocket science but still a huge step in the area of service and repair. Now if I only had 20 grand laying around.

fkess · 07-31-2004, 12:33 PM

You will most likely get a remanufactured radio.
When they replaced the radio in my 100 in 1994, it came without a code and it worked when installed but of course the display faded like the original. Audi isn't too swift on electronics.

Booser 2.7 · 07-31-2004, 05:48 PM

You DEFINITELY need to have the radio on for a full hour and the key in the ignition for entire time (I had mine running as my daily commute is 45-50min). Do NOT shut off the radio, when the hour is up with the radio on and key still in the ignition. Push both of the buttons for bringing up the code entry screen (SAFE mode light will not leave or shut off press the 2 buttons while the is on). At this time you can enter the code again.

NW2.7t · 08-02-2004, 07:45 AM

DO NOT TOUCH IT FOR 1 HOUR! Start the car, turn on the radio to get to SAFE and drive without turning off the car OR touching the radio for a full hour. Then put in your code. Dealer tried the "Need a new radio" bit on me, f*kn thieves...

vegasaudi · 08-02-2004, 04:56 PM

IT WORKED!

Thanks alot -

The Audi dealer out here evidently has no idea about this - makes me wonder...

kevinklb · 03-14-2008, 12:15 PM

when u leave car running for an hour what buttons do you press to enable code entery??? i had tape player,that was blocked in safe! but i wanted a cd player anyay. it came tonight. i put it in and it still says safe! arrghh!! help

07-31-2004, 09:51 AM	#1
vegasaudi New Member Account #: 78550 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 11	SAFE mode will not go away I bought a 2002 A6 2.7T from a dealership with the radio on "SAFE" . It will not leave "SAFE" mode for me to enter the 4 digit code. The dealer out here removed the radio, checked it, and said he had to order a new one (6-8 weeks - what a joke). I have tried just about everything - held down all combinations of buttons including RDS and AS as called out in manual - let it wait an hour - pulled fuse. Nothing works. Any other ideas. Thanks in advance.

07-31-2004, 09:56 AM	#2
saakey AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 29515 Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 4,442	doesn't sound good...but 6-8 weeks is ridiculous. Sorry to hear it __________________

07-31-2004, 10:32 AM	#3
Uncle Castro Elder Member Account #: 57533 Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 14,312	I thought you needed a code to get out of "SAFE" mode, and the dealer could get it? No?

07-31-2004, 10:42 AM	#4
vegasaudi New Member Account #: 78550 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 11	Re: I thought you needed a code to get out of "SAFE" mode, and the dealer could get it? No? I cannot enter a code because SAFE is the only word which appears on the radio. The dealer I bought it from was not an Audi dealer - so they were no help in telling me how it came to this point.

07-31-2004, 11:46 AM	#5
6ULDV8 Junior Member Account #: 75436 Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,495	Seen this before. In both cases the radio had to be replaced. Sadly that was before the introduction of the new VAS (Volkswagen Audi Solution) 5051. I'm thinking the new VAS 5051 system can enter the code bypassing the old manual entry. As I understand it, the VAS can extract the serial number of the radio, communicate with Audi main system via the internet, gather the correct code and then program it back into the radio. The technician never even sees the code. You need to speak to a competent Audi service advisor (sorry I dont know how you do that). The VAS system is the most sophisticated diagnostic tool to date. Given technology available to us today, its surprising that all manufacturers have not come up with similar systems. The nicest feature of the system is Telediagnostics. With the 5051 hooked up the car and the internet, Audi technicians sitting in a room somewhere in Germany can remotely see any value block, activate and interrogate any component on the vehicle. Not rocket science but still a huge step in the area of service and repair. Now if I only had 20 grand laying around.

07-31-2004, 12:33 PM	#6
fkess AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 64952 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,119	Re: doesn't sound good...but 6-8 weeks is ridiculous. Sorry to hear it You will most likely get a remanufactured radio. When they replaced the radio in my 100 in 1994, it came without a code and it worked when installed but of course the display faded like the original. Audi isn't too swift on electronics.

07-31-2004, 05:48 PM	#7
Booser 2.7 New Member Account #: 7113 Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 171	You need to wait 1 hour and... You DEFINITELY need to have the radio on for a full hour and the key in the ignition for entire time (I had mine running as my daily commute is 45-50min). Do NOT shut off the radio, when the hour is up with the radio on and key still in the ignition. Push both of the buttons for bringing up the code entry screen (SAFE mode light will not leave or shut off press the 2 buttons while the is on). At this time you can enter the code again. __________________

08-02-2004, 07:45 AM	#8
NW2.7t Junior Member Account #: 60249 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 572	Been there...(more) DO NOT TOUCH IT FOR 1 HOUR! Start the car, turn on the radio to get to SAFE and drive without turning off the car OR touching the radio for a full hour. Then put in your code. Dealer tried the "Need a new radio" bit on me, f*kn thieves... __________________

08-02-2004, 04:56 PM	#9
vegasaudi New Member Account #: 78550 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 11	Re: SAFE mode will not go away IT WORKED! Thanks alot - The Audi dealer out here evidently has no idea about this - makes me wonder...

03-14-2008, 12:15 PM	#10
kevinklb New Member Account #: 146398 Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	Re: SAFE mode will not go away when u leave car running for an hour what buttons do you press to enable code entery??? i had tape player,that was blocked in safe! but i wanted a cd player anyay. it came tonight. i put it in and it still says safe! arrghh!! help

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