Dealer or online service at a glance

Start with the work you need done. A quote for a code alone is different from a quote that includes checking the radio or working on the vehicle.

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When to choose a dealer or an online service

If you're not sure why the radio is locked, a dealer or repair shop can check the unit and installation before you spend money on a code. A dealer can also be an option for a replacement radio.

For example, the 2015 Dodge Dart User Guide directs owners to a dealer when the radios described in its anti-theft section are moved to another vehicle. Ask your dealer whether it can retrieve the code for the unit now installed.

An online code service is a practical option when your radio asks for an anti-theft code, you have its serial number, and the provider supports that unit. You can request the code online without scheduling a visit. Use the Uconnect radio code service to check the options for your radio.

Delivery depends on the unit. Some supported codes are supplied automatically, while others require additional processing. Check the estimate for your radio before paying. A code-only order does not include diagnosis, installation, software updates, or vehicle programming.

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What to have ready before asking for a quote

Start with the serial number of the radio installed in your vehicle. It identifies the unit whose code you need. Your vehicle's VIN is a different identifier; a dealer may request it along with the radio details and any ownership documents it requires. If the radio has been replaced, make that clear when you ask for a code.

If you need help locating the serial, see how to find your Uconnect radio's serial number. Do not substitute a part number or VIN for the serial number requested by an online lookup form.

Also have these details ready:

• The radio's part number, if available
• Your vehicle's model and year
• The exact message displayed on the radio
• Whether the radio is original or a replacement

Check the paperwork supplied with the vehicle or radio before buying a code. If a code is already recorded there, make sure it belongs to the radio now installed. Paperwork for the original unit may not help after a replacement.

For more detail on identifying a replacement unit and obtaining its code, see our guide to used and replacement Uconnect radio codes.

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Questions to ask before you pay

Use these questions to compare the offers:

• Is the quote for the code only, or does it include inspection, removal, diagnosis, updates, or other work?
• Which radio and vehicle details or documents do you need?
• What is the total, including any separate charges, and in what currency?
• Do I need to visit, or can you handle the request remotely?
• When will the code be supplied for my radio? Is delivery automatic or does it require additional processing?
• What support is included if the code is rejected?

Make sure both prices cover the same job. A dealer quote that includes checking the vehicle cannot be compared directly with an online price for supplying a code alone. If you're in the US, Canada, or Mexico, confirm the local dealer's requirements and the currency shown in each offer.

For an online purchase, read the refund policy before ordering, including its conditions and the evidence needed for a refund review. Double-check the serial number before submitting it, and keep your order details and the code supplied.

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When to have the radio checked first

Don't assume a code will fix a blank screen, repeated rebooting, or missing functions. Have those symptoms checked before buying a code to solve them. If you're not sure a replacement radio is compatible or installed correctly, have that checked too. A code request alone doesn't tell you whether everything else is working.

For example, a radio displaying an anti-theft code request after a battery disconnection may need a code lookup. A replacement unit that keeps rebooting after installation needs a different first step: checking the radio and installation. If a code is accepted but other faults remain, tell the technician what happened rather than assuming another code will fix them.

FCA's 2015 Chrysler 200 RA2 radio bulletin treats code retrieval and repair as separate tasks. It tells technicians to record a replacement radio's serial number for the anti-theft code and gives separate instructions for diagnosis and software work. That example is specific to the radio and vehicle covered by the bulletin.

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Uconnect Radio Code FAQ

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