05 Ford Fiesta radio not working

richiculous

Hi guys, I bought an '05 Ford Fiesta over the weekend. Before buying the car, I didn't check if the radio was working. When I was bringing it home, I tried to turn it on but on the screen it said "WAIT 30:00" and continued to count down to 0.

I'm a total novice with most things car-related but wanted to have a look into it when I got home. I figured it was a problem with the code. I looked up how to remove the radio to get the serial (radio is a 4500 RDS EON - much more awkward to remove than expected as it requires several panels to be removed first). While I was removing it, the "WAIT 30:00" display counted down all the way and I was given the chance to enter a code. At this point, without really thinking, I think I entered a code I found online (very silly mistake as it was not related to my serial) and then it went back to the "WAIT 30:00" screen.

Eventually, I accessed the serial and my brother generated the actual code for the radio. So, when the display went down to 0 again, I entered the proper code (as far as we know). The radio sounded and flashed on a channel for a fraction of a second but then switched off. Now, when I turn it on, it is always on the code screen but will just flash onto FM 94.9 for a split second when I enter the code (no sound) and then switch off. Did I permanently lock the radio by entering a wrong code once? I have read online about "Lock" codes displaying but my radio does not show any lock codes.

Since then, I tried disconnecting the battery overnight hoping to reset the radio but that didn't work.

I think my only other options are to source the same type of radio from a scrapyard or online, replace the radio in the car and put in the new code or else take it to a Ford Dealer and see what they can do?

Any advice is appreciated

iamtony

You would probably be better off buying a more modern stereo that you can connect your phone to and play music rather than spending money on the same one you already have.
If you search in adverts you will find lots with Bluetooth etc for small money then buy a wiring harness and facial adapter in halfords or somewhere like that.
Sounds like theirs no coming back for the original radio.

hellyeah

As above go to halfords and get a new radio. All them radios in the fiesta and focus give trouble overtime. Seen it many times. Even if you find one in a breakers, they will want 50/60 euro for it. Not worth,it.

iamthemanwork

Most likely there is a fault in your radio but one that is repairable. Does your radio look like it is divided into 3 sections in your dashboard ?

richiculous

Hi all, thanks for the advice. I think that makes sense, I picked up the radio and parts in Halfords today. I was going to put it in myself but since installing a new radio on this Fiesta model requires making cuts in a plastic panel, I decided to use Halfords to do it for me for €35, not bad really.

@iamthemanwork, yeah that's the one, it has 2 plastic strips (which have to be cut off to put in the new fascia and radio) going across the front which makes it look like 3 separate sections.

iamtony

Enjoy your new system:-)

richiculous

Thanks. It's definitely a much better system, I'll lose the driver radio controls though.