Radio Coding problems

[loren01@ix.netcom.com (Scott Bermes)]

Am I toast on this situation?

I had the car in the shop to get the starter fixed and the shop unhooks 
the battery to do the job.  I don't have the radio code from previous 
owner, so we take the unit out and I go to the dealer with the unit,  
and get the code from the Audi computer.  The shop puts the unit back 
in and I follow directions to put the code in.  E.g., ARI-Z/AM buttons 
until 1000 appears, put in code, ARI-Z/AM buttons unit station appears. 
 Did that, but station never appeared, "SAFe" reappeared.  Also, it 
only gave me two attempts and "SAFe" always appeared after both 
attempt.  The code was 0309 and the first digit only allowed a "1" or 
blank.  So my two attempts were "blank0309" and "1309" neither worked 
and it locked up.  Linda @ Carlson says I need a new unit, for the $75 
swap charge.

Any suggestions to try before I end up doing this?  

TIA,

Scott
89 200tqw