VW Beetle question "Safe 1000"

[Chrome]

We are looking at buying a 1999 New Beetle for my sister. It's got 34,000 miles runs great, needs new brakes, etc. Here is the kicker though. When you put it in acc. or start it, the radio says "SAFE 1000" and no dials or anything will change it. It's a dealership car at the moment, so we can't exactly pull fuses and play with it. They are selling it as is and want to charge us to fix it if we buy it.

Any ideas on why it's comming up with that? I have absolutely no experience at all with VW cars.

Later,
Chrome...

[07RedLine]

I'm an audi tech and what that is is the radio has a code that needs to be put in to unlock the radio. It should be in the radio booklet. What they want to do is charge you an hour in labor to reset it witch takes 10 sec or five minutes if they have to use the scanner to do it. Tell the to reset it for free or no deal because then there a rip of dealer.

[Chrome]

Originally Posted by 07RedLine

I'm an audi tech and what that is is the radio has a code that needs to be put in to unlock the radio. It should be in the radio booklet. What they want to do is charge you an hour in labor to reset it witch takes 10 sec or five minutes if they have to use the scanner to do it. Tell the to reset it for free or no deal because then there a rip of dealer.

Cool, thanks for the info. Any ideas on what could have caused it to lock up to begin with?

Later,
Chrome...

[TheWastedYears]

34k and needs new brakes?

[yeahididit2]

what would cause this is the battery wore down all the way or was unhooked. they have what the gms have a code you put in if you want the radio to lock up if stolen etc just the bat. dying will do this. but hes right if the dealer wont fix it for free and you really want the car pay some cash to fix it or buy a new radio... it might be on a stock number look in the manual if there is one in ther under radio security find out how to enter the code it might still be the factory code in there most people dont change it and it should say what the stock code is. all the info i have for you.

[Chrome]

Originally Posted by TheWastedYears

34k and needs new brakes?

Yeah, the dealer says one of the pads came off the caliper and trashed the rotor. I've not seen the car yet, only my dad has. He's not great with cars, but he says he believes the dealer on that one.

Thanks for all the info guys. We'll have to see if the car comes with that code.

Later,
Chrome...

[TheWastedYears]

I would STRONGLY suggest taking this car to a 3rd party before buying it. There's a shop around here I always use. I usually give the guy $100 to go over the car w/ a fine-toothed comb, and he's saved me quite a few times. Money well spent, IMHO.

[vannatte]

Read my recent post about the New Beetle before buying that car. My fiance was going to get one until I started researching them thoroughly. Those cars appear to be nothing but trouble...that radio problem would be the first in a long list of electrical problems you'd have.

[socalsilverRL]

on my friends old new beetle the radio code was the last 4 digits of the VIN #

[SilverRedLine04]

those cars are nightmares..