What Caused the Radio to Lock?
Ford SYNC 1 and Sony-branded radios from 2007–2014 use the same battery-disconnect security system as older Ford radios. Any interruption in the power supply triggers the lock at next startup:
- Battery replacement or disconnect — the most frequent cause.
- Dead battery — a fully drained battery triggers the code prompt the same as a manual disconnect.
- Radio removal — taking the radio out for service cuts the power connection, triggering the lock when reinstalled.
Worth mentioning: SYNC 1-integrated systems (with Bluetooth) may also lock after a battery event, even though SYNC the connectivity system is separate from the radio anti-theft. Supplying the correct code re-enables the radio; SYNC itself typically reconnects automatically once the radio is back to normal.
Can't Find Your Radio S/N? Follow The Steps Below for Ford B-Max 2013
The initial step is to find the radio's S/N.
Based on the head unit type fitted in your 2013 B-Max, the S/N can be accessed either through the screen menu or by checking the label on the radio itself.
Follow the steps below to identify your serial quickly.
2013 B-Max - Which Radio Did You Get?
The 2013 B-Max continued the launch audio range without supplier change. Identification is by fascia layout rather than badging on most variants.
- Ford 5000 RDS - entry-level Studio trim, simpler display, no CD on certain market builds.
- Ford 6000 CD - the volume-seller across Zetec and Titanium, single CD slot, USB/AUX, larger dot-matrix display.
- Ford Sony 1.5DIN - distinguished by Sony branding on the fascia and a chrome-ringed central knob, fitted to Titanium X and as a paid option elsewhere.
All three units are Visteon-built and behave identically for serial retrieval and code entry purposes.
Before Removing the Radio, Try This Screen Method
These are the steps you should follow for 2013 Ford B-Max:
The 2013 Ford B-Max may have a Ford Sony or Ford 6000CD radio. These units generally lack an on-screen serial display function.
The serial number must be read from the sticker on the radio unit itself. Extraction of the radio is required. See instructions below.
Try this first (Ford 6000CD): Press and hold buttons 1 and 6 together for approximately 3 seconds. The radio displays system information — the serial (e.g., V197905) appears toward the end. If no serial showed, try holding buttons 2 and 6 for the M serial variant. Certain SYNC and Sony modules may not support this method — proceed with manual removal if it doesn't work.
On some units the serial appears split across two screens — join the two halves to get the full serial.
Display-Based Serial Number Retrieval
The factory units in the 2013 B-Max include a hidden diagnostic cycle that prints the serial number to the front panel, removing the need to extract the unit when it works.
Ford 5000 RDS / 6000 CD / Sony 1.5DIN
- Switch the ignition key to ACC and confirm the head unit is powered on.
- Press and hold preset buttons 1 and 6 simultaneously for roughly three seconds.
- Watch the display - it scrolls through internal test strings, then shows a line starting with
MorVfollowed by six digits. - If 1+6 does not trigger the cycle, release and try the alternate combination 2 and 6.
- Write down the full prefix plus digits and exit by switching the ignition off.
Serial Number on the Unit
If the serial does not appear on display, the next step is checking the radio itself.
Many Ford radios require physical access to the ID label attached to the unit.
Common approach:
- Start by completely shutting off the engine - pull the key out.
- Then lift the trim panel.
- Next, release the mounting points and pull the radio forward.
- Look for a printed tag showing the serial number.
To find the serial on the 2013 Ford B-Max:
- Power down the vehicle.
- For Ford 6000CD/4500: Use extraction keys in the 4 extraction slots on each side of the radio. Push until they click, then pull the unit forward.
- For SYNC/Sony integrated units: Remove the radio surround with a plastic pry tool, then remove the four screws and pull the unit out.
- Find the serial number label on the top of the unit. It begins with M or V.
Tip: Vehicles with Sony premium audio may have an integrated unit. The SYNC units are typically bolt-mounted rather than pin-released.
View the Serial by Pulling Out the Unit
When the on-screen method fails, the printed label on the chassis is the next step. The B-Max radio sits in a 1.5DIN aperture secured by internal spring clips.
Safety: turn the ignition off, remove the key from the barrel, disconnect the negative battery terminal and wait several minutes for residual power to drain. Keep clear of any yellow SRS connectors around the centre console.
- Gather four Ford-pattern DIN release keys, a plastic trim wedge, a flashlight and your phone.
- Insert one release key into each of the four small holes on the radio fascia until you feel them seat.
- Push the keys gently outwards to spread the spring clips, then pull straight back to slide the chassis from the dash.
- Ease the unit forward only as far as the harness allows - do not unplug unless you need more clearance.
- Locate the white sticker on the top or side of the chassis labelled
S/NorSerial. - Take a clear photo so you can verify characters under good lighting before reinstalling.
The unlock code is never printed on the unit - only the serial number is on the label. The code is derived from that serial.
Example: Ford B-Max serial number label location
What a Valid Serial Number Looks Like
The 2013 Ford B-Max radio serial number pattern:
M######– Most common Ford serial prefixV######– Visteon serial prefix
Radio types for the 2013 B-Max: Ford 6000CD (base), Sony (premium), Ford SYNC (with Bluetooth). All types use the same M or V format.
Reminder The serial is the prefix letter plus 6 digits. Only the M or V serial is required for code generation.
S/N Patterns and Prefixes
The Visteon platform used for B-Max audio units produces a consistent serial style regardless of which fascia is fitted.
- Commonly begins with M followed by six numeric digits when read from the chassis label.
- May appear as V followed by six digits when read via the on-screen diagnostic cycle.
- Typical total length is seven characters (one letter plus six numerics).
- A long Ford part number printed nearby (often beginning with letter pairs and dashes) is not the serial - ignore it.
- Longer strings such as
FDMCD0V027722on some labels contain the seven-character serial as the trailing block; isolate the V or M plus six numerics.
Validation tips: distinguish 0 from O and 1 from I before submitting, and never submit a barcode-only number or part number in place of the serial.
Understanding the 2013 Ford B-Max Radio Code Retrieval Process
- Rather than relying on Ford dealership lookup or online threads you can generate the code online using the radio serial number.
- Start by finding your radio's serial. It is always present on the unit itself, and sometimes it can be visible on the B-Max's display.
- Type it into the field above, and the system will generate the correct 2013 B-Max unlock code.
- When you receive the code, type it in using B-Max's radio buttons to unlock the system successfully.
- The entire process takes only a few minutes and requires minimal effort.
Entering the Radio Security Code
After receiving 2013 Ford B-Max anti-theft code from the S/N, you're ready to reactivate the radio.
Many drivers hesitate at this stage because input methods can look different across radio versions, but it's usually quick.
When the radio shows CODE, it means the unit is waiting for the correct numbers.
Entering Process Explained
To enter the code on the 2013 Ford B-Max:
- Ignition ON. Radio shows "CODE" or "SAFE".
- Press buttons 1-4 to set each digit of the 4-digit code. Each press cycles the digit.
- Press button 5 (or OK) to confirm the code.
Lockout: Ten wrong attempts triggers "LOCKED" or "WAIT". Leave the radio switched on for up to 1 hour — it will return to the code prompt automatically. If "Locked 10" appears, try holding button 6 while switching the radio on for 3 more attempts.
Step-by-Step Code Input Guide
With the correct four-digit code in hand, the entry sequence uses the preset row on the radio fascia.
Limited Attempt Warning: the Visteon Ford units only permit a few wrong entries before locking out with a WAIT message that requires the ignition to stay on for a long countdown. Confirm each digit before pressing confirm.
Ford 5000 RDS / 6000 CD / Sony 1.5DIN
- Turn the ignition to ACC and let the radio power on - the display should read
CODEfollowed by four dashes. - Press preset 1 repeatedly until the first digit matches your code.
- Press preset 2 for the second digit, preset 3 for the third, preset 4 for the fourth.
- Press and hold preset 5 to submit the code.
- A correct code returns normal operation; an incorrect code shows
WAITor counts up the failure tally.
Fixing Common Code Entry Problems for 2013 B-Max
When the radio powers on without showing a "CODE" prompt:
- The unit might not be code-locked — try normal AM/FM and audio operation first.
- Some SYNC 1 units show "SAFE" briefly before the code screen — wait a few seconds for it to change to the full code prompt.
- For Sony premium audio versions: the Sony branding screen often shows first before the code prompt — wait several seconds for the system to initialize.
A blank screen usually indicates a fuse problem rather than a lockout. Inspect the radio fuse in the under-dash panel before further troubleshooting.
For the Ford SYNC 1 and Sony era, a rejected code is usually caused by a misread serial. Sony premium audio units cannot display the serial — it has to be read from the label on the radio chassis. Verify the serial begins with M or V and is exactly 7 characters long.
After a failed entry, avoid entering further guesses — 10 tries are available before a lockout. Reach out for a no-charge reverification to verify the serial prior to retrying.
SYNC 1 and Sony radios from this era use the same serial format as all Ford OEM radios:
M######— M followed by 6 digits (most typical format).V######— V followed by six digits (used on Visteon-supplied units).
SYNC 1 and Sony units have no an on-screen serial display — the serial is only accessible from the physical label on the unit casing, which means extracting the radio. See the removal section above for step-by-step instructions. The part number on the adjacent label (e.g., AM5T-18C815-...) must not be submitted as the serial.
Ford SYNC 1 and Sony-era radios use preset buttons 1–4 for digit entry and button 5 (or OK) to confirm — identical to the older Ford 6000CD platform:
- Buttons 1–4 — press each multiple times to advance through digits for that position in the 4-digit code.
- Button 5 or OK — press to confirm the complete entry.
For SYNC-integrated units with a dot-matrix display, the current digit are shown on screen with each press — making it straightforward to check each digit before confirming. Sony units use the identical method.
Ford SYNC 1 and Sony-equipped radios display "LOCKED" after 10 incorrect entries. Recovery steps:
- Leave the radio switched on — avoid turning it off during the wait.
- Wait up to 1 hour. The radio should automatically return to the "CODE" prompt.
- Should "Locked 10" appears, try holding button 6 while switching the radio on to get additional attempts.
Should the unit remains stuck in LOCKED after waiting the full hour, a dealer visit or unit replacement may be needed.