How to enter a VW Beta or Gamma radio code

The cassette and CD radios with station buttons 1 to 6, in the Golf Mk4, Bora, Polo, Lupo and Passat from 1998.Illustration.

Your code

Type it and every step uses your own digits. It stays on this page.

Switch the radio on. SAFE shows, then 1000 by itself. You do not press anything to get there.

1 of 6

Every step

Checked against VW's workshop manuals for the Golf Mk4 and Polo.

If it locks

VW's instructions for these radios do not say how many tries you get. The VW radios that followed allow two, then lock for about an hour with the radio left switched on. Treat yours the same: check all four digits before you hold the rocker. What each lockout screen means

Which one is the seek rocker?

The button with a left and a right arrow on it. If your radio has two of them, either will do. Press its right hand side.

An Alpha, or a Beta or Gamma from before May 1998?

Those do not bring up 1000 by themselves. Hold TP and TA together until 1000 shows, then let go. Set the digits with station buttons 1 to 4. Then hold TP and TA together again until SAFE shows, and let go. A station comes on shortly after.

An RCD 200?

It confirms with the knob on the right and has its own steps. RCD 200 steps

Not this one? Other Volkswagen radios

Different radio altogether?

Search every radio, or go by the buttons on yours