My car had been sitting a year before I bought it and the battery had gone dead. After getting the power restored, I found the radio was not functioning. I checked the fuses and they were good. The local stereo shop did a check and found the fuse on the back of the radio blown. Once it was replaced, the radio would power up and after the "wait" mode would ask for the code. I had used the VIN number to obtain the code from a dealer in AZ. After trying the code entry several times with no luck I contacted the dealer again. It was suggested that I pull the radio and get the serial number from the radio chassis. I did so and found the radio had been replaced. With the correct code in hand I started the process again. This time the radio goes into "wait" mode and stays there. I have sat on this for an hour straight and still it stays on "wait". What do I have to do to reset this fault?

 

You just have to wait. Literally. That’s how these radios are programmed. And the radio has to stay on continuously until it lets you enter the code.

you can power on the radio without the key in ignition

 

You are my savior! I started the car up and took a nice long drive with the radio on. An hour and fifteen minutes later and only a mile to go before I was back home, the radio finally displayed "code". I quickly pulled over and entered the correct code and Bingo! I now have a functioning radio. Thank you very much!