Which factory radio does the 2016 Ram 5500 have?
Each link below opens a head unit that shipped in the 2016 Ram 5500. Match the screen size and faceplate to find yours, then check where the serial is printed.
What Caused the Radio to Lock?
Uconnect self-locks after a battery disconnect or replacement. Commercial vehicles are particularly prone to this because batteries are replaced as part of regular fleet maintenance.
Common causes:
- Battery replacement — most common in commercial settings
- Blown fuse — common after accessory installation
- Buying the truck auction without the code
- Battery completely discharged from storage
The code is derived from the radio's serial number — not the truck's VIN.
How to Unlock a Ram 5500 Radio After Power Loss
Vehicle radios use security codes tied to the radio unit itself instead of the vehicle model or production year.
- The generator identifies your Ram radio via serial-based verification.
- After entering the serial into the form above, the system identifies the radio unit and retrieves the corresponding code.
- Use the code to unlock the radio immediately.
- Compared to Ram dealer retrieval, this method is faster and more convenient.
Code Entry Process for 2016 5500
After locating the radio serial and retrieved the unlock code, the last step is entering it into your radio.
Ram original head units display a locked screen when ready for input.
The process is straightforward, but button layouts and confirmation methods may vary depending on the radio version installed in your 5500.
Step-by-Step - The Correct Way to Enter It
To input the unlock code on the 2016 Ram 5500:
- Turn ignition to ON. The radio display displays "ENTER CODE" or "CODE".
- Touchscreen models (8.4" Uconnect): Tap the on-screen keypad to enter each digit of the 4-digit code.
- Non-touchscreen (base Uconnect): Press preset buttons 1-4 to select each digit, then press Enter/OK to confirm.
Lockout: Three failed attempts = 60-minute lockout. Ignition must stay ON. Commercial vehicles that often have battery service may experience this lock more often.
Detailed Code Entry Walkthrough
Once you have the correct anti-theft code for your 2016 Ram 5500 radio, the entry itself is fast - but the radio will lock you out for half an hour if you keep guessing, so verify the code before you start.
Limited Attempt Warning
You only get three attempts. After three wrong codes in a row the radio enters a WAIT state and the display reads WAIT. To clear it, the radio must remain powered with the ignition in RUN for a continuous 30 minutes. Cycling the key off does not shortcut the timer (the truck may be driven during this time).
Entering the code
Turn the ignition to RUN or ACC so the radio powers up and shows the CODE / Anti-Theft prompt. On the 8.4-inch Uconnect (RA3/RA4), tap each digit on the touchscreen number pad. On the 5-inch Uconnect 5.0 (RA2), enter the digits using the on-screen keypad. On the base Uconnect 3.0 (RA1), enter the four-digit code using the preset (1-6) buttons in sequence. Confirm with the OK/Enter on-screen control or the equivalent hardware button. When accepted, the radio returns to the normal home screen and audio resumes.
If it does not unlock
Stop after the second wrong attempt and re-verify the serial used to obtain the code. Make sure no leading letters or trailing digits were dropped from the serial. If WAIT appears on screen, leave the radio powered for the full 30 minutes before retrying.
Radio Serial Number Explained - Finding It on Your Ram
The initial step is to locate the radio's serial num.
Based on the head unit type used in your 2016 5500, the S/N can be accessed 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.
Radios Offered in the 2016 Ram 5500
The 2016 Ram 5500 carries the 2013-2015 lineup forward unchanged. The same four Uconnect head units were available, with sales codes spanning RA1 through RA4. There are no significant hardware changes to the radio fleet for this model year.
Uconnect 3.0 (RA1) remained the base AM/FM/CD radio on fleet Tradesman builds - small monochrome strip display, hard knobs, no touchscreen and no Bluetooth. Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) covered most Tradesman and entry SLT trucks - a 5-inch colour touchscreen with no CD slot, no NAV button, AM/FM, Bluetooth, USB and aux. Uconnect 8.4 (RA3) was optional on SLT and standard on Laramie - 8.4-inch landscape touchscreen, capacitive shortcut row across the bottom and no Nav tile on the home screen. Uconnect 8.4N (RA4) added the Garmin-based navigation database to the 8.4-inch hardware - a Nav tile on the home screen and a SiriusXM Traffic/Travel Link badge at startup. Standard on Longhorn, optional on most other trims.
Quick tell: no screen = RA1; 5-inch screen = RA2; 8.4-inch screen with no Nav tile = RA3; 8.4-inch screen with a Nav tile = RA4. The sales code is printed on the label on top of the radio chassis.
Screen-Based Serial Lookup Method
The method for 2016 Ram 5500 is this:
The 2016 Ram 5500 heavy-duty truck uses the same Uconnect infotainment system as the Ram 1500. Depending on trim level, the vehicle could have a Uconnect 3.0/5.0" (standard trims) or Uconnect 8.4" (upper trims).
For 8.4" Uconnect (RA3): Hold the Climate Up, Climate Down, and Front Defrost buttons together for 5 seconds to launch Dealer Mode. Then navigate to: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number.
For base Uconnect: Dealer Mode is not supported. Physical removal is required to access the serial label.
Show the S/N on the Touchscreen
The 2016 Ram 5500's 8.4-inch Uconnect head units support a hidden dealer/diagnostic menu that displays the radio's internal serial number, which is much quicker than dropping the unit out of the dash. The smaller RA1 and RA2 radios do not have a reliably documented on-screen serial readout for this generation.
For the Uconnect 8.4 (RA3) and Uconnect 8.4N (RA4), place the ignition in the RUN position so the 8.4-inch touchscreen is fully booted. Press and hold the driver's temperature UP, temperature DOWN and front DEFROST buttons together for around 7 seconds. A dealer/diagnostic menu should appear on screen. From this menu, choose the radio-information entries near the top of the list - they show serial numbers, hardware/software revisions and similar identifiers. Note the full serial exactly as printed, including any letters at the start such as T00AM or TM9. Press Done, or cycle the ignition, to exit.
For the Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) and Uconnect 3.0 (RA1), an equivalent on-screen serial readout is not consistently documented. If the dealer-mode shortcut does not surface a serial entry on those radios, the chassis-label method described in the removal block is the dependable fallback.
Locate Serial on 5500's Radio Chassis
If the serial does not appear in menu, the next step is checking the radio itself.
Many Ram radios require physical access to the ID label attached to the unit.
Usual approach:
- Start by completely shutting off the engine - pull the key out.
- Then remove the trim panel.
- Next, loosen the mounting points and move the radio forward.
- Look for a printed tag showing the serial number.
To remove the radio from the 2016 Ram 5500:
- Power down the vehicle and disconnect the negative battery cable as a precaution.
- Remove the center stack trim bezel using a plastic pry tool. Ram heavy-duty trucks may have thicker trim pieces compared to lighter models.
- Remove the 4 Torx T20 screws securing the radio to the dash bracket.
- Slide the radio out and read the serial label on the radio casing.
HD Truck Note: Base W/T trims of the 2016 5500 may have a more basic center stack that makes radio removal quicker than Laramie or Limited trims.
Locate the Serial on the Radio Chassis
If the on-screen method is unavailable, or the radio is stuck at the CODE prompt and you cannot reach the dealer menu, the printed label on the chassis is the most reliable source for the serial number on a 2016 Ram 5500.
Safety preparation
Turn the ignition fully off and remove the key. Disconnect the negative terminal of the 12V battery and wait several minutes before working near the dash so airbag-related circuits can fully discharge. Stay clear of yellow airbag wiring while removing trim.
Tools to have ready
Plastic trim/panel pry tools to release the dash bezel without scratches; a T20 Torx driver for the bezel screws hidden behind the rubber beauty plates; a Phillips driver for the two screws inside the lower console cubby (if your truck has the centre floor console); a 7 mm socket or driver for the four radio retaining screws; and a phone/camera to photograph the chassis label.
Removal overview
At the top of the dash bezel, lift the rubber RAM-branded beauty plate with a fingernail or plastic pick to reveal two T20 Torx screws and back them out. Lift the rubber pad inside the cubby above the centre HVAC vents to expose a single T20 screw and remove it. If the truck has the centre floor console, lift the rubber pad at the front of the console well and remove the two Phillips screws beneath. Starting at a lower edge, gently pry the bezel outward - it is held by retaining clips. Walk the tool around the perimeter to release each clip, then ease the bezel forward and unplug any small switch/HVAC connectors on its back. With the bezel out of the way, undo the four 7 mm screws now visible at the corners of the radio chassis. Slide the head unit out and unplug the main wiring harness and antenna lead.
Where the serial sits
The serial is on a printed label on the metal housing - normally on the top or side face of the chassis. Copy the long alphanumeric string next to the barcode and double-check ambiguous characters such as O vs 0 and I vs 1.
Tips
Photograph the label rather than relying on handwriting. Reassembly is the reverse: harnesses on, four 7 mm screws home, bezel pressed in until each clip seats, T20 and Phillips screws restored, then reconnect the battery.
Example: Ram 5500 serial number label location
Typical Serial Number Examples for 2016 5500
The 2016 Ram 5500 shares the same radio hardware as other Ram trucks. Serial number prefixes:
T00AM– Harman Uconnect (primary prefix)T00BE– Continental Uconnect versionTM9– Older Harman unitsT0MYD– Recent Harman units (later model years)
The 2016 5500 may have: RA2 (4.3" base), RA1 (5.0"), RA3 (8.4" Classic), or RA4 (8.4" 4C, 2019+). Serial is 14 characters.
Reminder Your serial number starts with a code prefix (T00AM, T00BE, etc.) – do not confuse it with the FCA/Stellantis part number (starts with P05064 or 68).
Typical Serial Number Examples for 2016 Ram 5500
The 2016 Ram 5500 was supplied with several different Uconnect head units, each from a different manufacturer, so the serial-number style depends on which radio is in your truck. The patterns below are the ones most often reported for this generation.
Continental-supplied Uconnect 8.4 (RA3 / RA4): often start with a T00AM prefix followed by a numeric tail, for example a string resembling T00AM1234567. The prefix is printed inline with the rest of the serial on the chassis label.
Panasonic-supplied Uconnect units: frequently start with TM9 followed by additional digits or letters. This pattern has been widely associated with Panasonic-built Mopar radios from the 8.4 era.
Uconnect 5.0 (RA2) and Uconnect 3.0 (RA1) base radios: also carry a printed serial label on the chassis, but the prefix can vary by supplier batch - read the full string off the label rather than assume a fixed format.
If the alphanumeric you read does not match any of these patterns, double-check that you have copied the serial line and not the part number. The serial is normally the longest string on the label and is the one tied to the barcode.
Fixing Common Code Entry Problems for 2016 5500
No code prompt means power hasn't been interrupted. To trigger it: briefly disconnect the battery, then restore power and turn ignition ON. The "ENTER CODE" screen appears on startup.
The Uconnect enters lockout after 3 wrong entries. The display still shows "ENTER CODE" or "CODE" but ignores all input.
To reset: Ignition ON, 60 full minutes without cutting power. Commercial heavy-duty trucks that get turned off frequently must finish the full wait in one sitting. Turning off the ignition restarts the 60-minute timer.
HD Ram trucks have a mix of radios (RA1/RA2/RA3/RA4 depending on trim and year). Each unit's label includes both the serial (14 chars: T00AM, T00BE, TM9, or T0MYD prefix) and the part number (P05... or 68...). Just the serial generates the unlock code.
Base trim radios often have hard-to-read labels. Wipe it down before reading, or take a picture and zoom in to check every digit.
HD Ram radios may have the serial accessible via Dealer Mode (8.4" RA3: hold Climate Up + Climate Down + Front Defrost 5 sec; then System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number) or on the barcode sticker on the radio chassis.
Serial: 14 chars starting with T00AM, T00BE, TM9, or T0MYD. Never mistake this with the part number (P05... or 68...).
HD Ram code entry depends on radio trim: 8.4" Uconnect (RA3/RA4) uses touchscreen-only entry — tap each digit on the virtual number pad. Base Uconnect (RA1/RA2) uses preset buttons 1–4 to cycle each digit, then Enter/OK to confirm.