Re: Audi key-coded radio problem

["Barry P. Lewis" <barry@ctron.com>]

>>   This sometimes works:

>>   Take the radio out and put it in your home freezer.
>>  (Maybe wrap it in plastic or something...) After about a day or two, the
>>  radio may lose it memory and return to the default code
>>  (check the manual to see what that is).

>>   This method seem to work about 50% of the time. Good luck.

>Ah yes, the ole cryogenic treatment to smooth out the sound, although 'til
>now I'd only heard it applied to Compact Discs, and not the player. Hmmm,
>if your freezer doesn't work, try immersing it in a vat of liquid nitro-
>gen . . . (just don't drop it 'till it thaws out afterwards!). Then when
>you buy a new Denon unit, it'll sound Great! Caveat Emptor and all that!

>Snicker...

>

                                        -RDH

Well, in spite of your "cool" response, there is some science behind this.

The codes are stored in RAM, a volatile type of memory. A low temps, this
memory can fail, especially if not connected to the car battery (ie, radio
removed from car). When this happens, the codes revert to the factory 
defaults. The default codes are listed in the manual.

I would not recommend using liquid nitrogen as this may crack the plastic
display (Oh! That was a joke?)

Anyway, it worth a try.


Barry
'86 4000CS Quattro