How Serial Numbers Work and Where to Find Them on 2016 Dodge Charger Radios
The initial step is to find and write down the radio's serial num.
Depending on the radio unit used in your 2016 Charger, the S/N can usually be found either through the screen menu or by checking the label on the radio itself.
Below are the most common methods to identify your serial quickly.
Access Your Serial Number via the Radio Display
Try the following for your 2016 Dodge Charger:
The 2016 Dodge Charger features a driver-focused cockpit and is equipped with the Uconnect 8.4" (RA3) touchscreen angled toward the driver from the top of the center stack. The serial number is accessible directly on screen via Dealer Mode.
Climate Button Method:
- Turn the ignition to ACC or ON.
- On the Charger's center stack, the Climate Up, Climate Down, and Front Defrost buttons sit directly below the 8.4" screen. Hold all three simultaneously for 5 seconds.
- Dealer Mode opens on the display.
- Navigate to: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number.
Alternative: Hold Temperature Up (red) and Temperature Down (blue) simultaneously for 5 seconds to enter Engineering Mode, then follow the same menu path.
Check the S/N by Pulling Out the Radio
If the serial number cannot be accessed through menu, use the hardware method.
Most Dodge Charger factory radios include a sticker with the serial number printed on the casing.
Basic process:
- Remove key from ignition.
- Carefully remove surrounding panel pieces.
- Loosen screws holding the radio.
- Pull forward to inspect the label.
If Dealer Mode is unavailable on your 2016 Dodge Charger, the radio must be removed to access the serial label. The Charger's streamlined sedan center stack has a single trim panel around both the radio and HVAC controls:
- Remove the center stack bezel – Use a plastic pry tool along the perimeter of the bezel – the panel uses friction clips and typically releases from the bottom corners first.
- Remove the 4 Torx T20 screws – Found at the corners of the radio mounting frame.
- Slide the radio forward – Ease the unit out just far enough to see the serial label on the top or driver-side edge.
The serial is on a barcode sticker: a 14-character alphanumeric code. The wiring harness can stay connected while you note it.
Example: Dodge Charger serial number label location
Standard Serial Number Patterns on This Radio
The 2016 Dodge Charger Uconnect 8.4" radio is made by Harman or Continental. Standard serial number prefixes:
T00AM– Harman VP2 Uconnect 8.4" (primary format)T00BE– Continental Uconnect 8.4" variantTM9– Older Harman production units
Radio model designations for the 2016 Charger: RA3 (standard 8.4"), VP2 (8.4" with premium audio). Example serial: T00AM394958584 (14 characters).
Reminder Avoid mixing up the part number (P05064... or 68...) with the serial number. Only the serial is used for code generation.
Step-by-Step Dodge Charger 2016 Radio Code Retrieval Guide
- Rather than relying on Dodge dealership lookup or online threads you can generate the code online with the radio S/N.
- First locate your radio's serial. You will always find it on the unit itself, and in some cases it can be visible on the Charger's display.
- Enter it into the generator above, and the software will generate the correct 2016 Charger unlock code.
- After receiving your code, type it in using Charger's radio controls to unlock the system fully.
- The entire process takes less than a minute for most users and requires zero paperwork and no dealer visit.
How to Enter the Radio Code
Once you have the S/N and retrieved the unlock code, the last step is entering it into your radio.
Dodge OEM units display a CODE prompt when ready for input.
The process is straightforward, but button layouts and confirmation methods may vary depending on the radio version installed in your Charger.
Detailed Entering Instructions for Charger 2016
To enter the unlock code on the 2016 Dodge Charger's Uconnect 8.4":
- The screen shows "ENTER CODE" or ---- when locked after a battery event.
- Tap the on-screen touchscreen keypad to enter each digit of the 4-digit code.
- After the 4th digit, the radio restores instantly – no additional step is required.
Lockout: 3 incorrect attempts activate a 60-minute lockout. Keep the ignition ON for the entire lockout period. Turning off the ignition resets the timer.
Understanding Unlock Issues with Your Charger
If you've entered three wrong codes, the Uconnect 8.4" triggers a 60-minute lockout and displays "WAIT" or "LOCKED" on screen. To exit the lockout:
- Keep the ignition ON — do not switch off the ignition.
- Let the timer run for the full 60 minutes.
- Switching off the ignition mid-countdown adds time rather than saving it.
Once the lockout clears, try again carefully.
If no code prompt after a battery event, here is what to check:
- Make sure the radio is fully powered and allow a few seconds to boot.
- Check the radio fuse in the fuse box — a bad fuse can prevent the radio from showing any display at all.
- Some Dodge vehicles require a brief button press on the touchscreen to bring up the code entry prompt.
Should the display remain off, a blown fuse is the most likely cause — consult the manual for the radio fuse location.
The Uconnect 8.4" (RA3/VP2) uses a touchscreen number pad exclusively for code entry — there are no physical preset buttons involved in this process. When you see the code entry screen:
- Touch each digit on the on-screen keypad.
- The radio unlocks automatically once all four digits are entered — no "Enter" or "OK" button is needed.
Should the screen not register taps, restart the radio by turning the ignition off and on and wait 30 seconds for the system to restart.
The serial number label on Uconnect 8.4" radios lists multiple identifiers, and the wrong one is easy to grab. Here is how to identify the correct one:
- Serial number — exactly 14 characters, prefixed by
T00AM,T00BE, orTM9. This is the one you need. - Part number — begins with
P05064...or68.... This is not the serial.
The easiest approach on 2016-era Dodge Charger units is through Dealer Mode — it shows only the serial with no risk of mixing up the numbers.
The most common reason for a rejected code is submitting a code tied to the wrong serial number. On Uconnect 8.4" radios, the label shows both the serial number (14 characters, starting with T00AM, T00BE, or TM9) and a part number (begins with P or 68) — only the serial is used for code generation.
If your code was rejected, double-check the serial carefully and reach out for a free re-check if anything looks off.
Why Is the Radio Asking for a Code?
Charger owners experience radio lockouts most commonly because of:
- Battery work during performance mods — Charger enthusiasts who disconnect the battery for accessories, audio upgrades, or ECU work trigger the lock every time.
- Seasonal storage and battery drain — Chargers parked for months drain enough to lock the radio.
- Routine battery replacement — standard battery service activates the code screen.
- Used purchase without history — buying a used Charger without the prior owner's code means the radio is locked from the start.
Your Charger's unlock code is linked to the RA3 serial number and never changes.