Not Your Average Radio Code Trouble
 

My car battery went dead so, naturally, the Black Beauty turned off her own radio. Now I understand about the code and I have the radio code from the dealer. The trouble is, you start the Black Beauty and the radio says "off". If you turn the radio to what should be "on" or "code" there is nothing there.

Help! It's too quiet!

I think the OFF message means (or usually means) that someone put in the wrong code too many times. Pretty sure it necessitates a (potentially costly) trip to the dealer.

You really should not post when you have no idea what you're talking about.
Turn the key to the ON position for about two hours (or drive it for two hours without turning it off) and it will reset back to "CODE"
If you know the code THEN enter it
For it to say OFF you must have entered the incorrect code 3 times
If you do that the radio will lock up

Not your average radio code problem
 

Whew, thank you!!

As it happens I have to take a two hour drive today and we will see what happens. Many thanks for the advice.

BTW, we started with a 1995 960 (which was totaled in a 60 mph crash on the freeway), have a 1994 965 and the one with the difficulty is a 1998. The crash, from which I walked away, is what made us believers.

Just an FYI, it'll do it if you disconnect power to the radio for too long also. I had my aftermarket radio stolen a month or so ago, and I finally got around to putting the stock radio back in. It came up with the "off" message and required the 2-hour reset also. I've never entered a code in it at all and it was working fine when I took it out.

Anyway, now that it finally reset I get to call the dealer for the code. Ugh.

Radio saga
 

Hmmm. I was on the road 1 hr and 50 minutes and it did not reset. Apparently it is serious about the 2 hour thing.

its usually 2-3 hours, mine took 2 &1/2 hours when i had that problem. i called the dealer and the service manager was super cool, i only gave him my VIN no $ no registration.. Volvo of Tempe AZ (480)9412400

Dang dude, just trying to help.