code

[philc]

04 3.0 battery was out four a long time I turn the key on & the instrument cluster is showing word code & 4 dashes The gps screen shows 4 boxes with dashes in them under the boxes word ...deactivate & 9.59 min Where do I find the code it is asking for ??? philc...thanks

[LVP]

Ive not seen this on my X5, but it could be one of two things:
1. Radio anti-theft code, found in the radio/nav book/manual that came with the X5
2. User entered security code that must be re-entered to start the car (I have this feature on my 1998 E36)

Given that you aren't saying you can't start your X, nor have mentioned entering a code you can't remember, I am going to go with door number 1. Hope you have the book.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by philc

04 3.0 battery was out four a long time I turn the key on & the instrument cluster is showing word code & 4 dashes The gps screen shows 4 boxes with dashes in them under the boxes word ...deactivate & 9.59 min. Where do I find the code it is asking for ??? philc...thanks

The e53 doesn't have the anti-theft radio "code" (BMW ended that with the debut of the e38/e39/e46/e52/e53)...the only CODE you can enter would be the one that was entered by someone (any number between 0000-9999). Did you or someone enter a code before you removed the battery?

The old BMW anti-theft radios ended with the e38/e39/e46/e52/e53 generation where each model has their own MID or Nav screen that fits the dash...along with the radio receiver being built into the in-dash cassette or in-dash CD player (which again only fits into a specific model (e39/e53 MID & in-dash cass/CD being the exception)...and the radio receiver being a total separate unit located in the rear of the vehicle if onBoard navigation was optioned.

If someone didn't set the OBC code...then turn to the nav's owners manual where it discusses what you are seeing. You may need to follow what you see in the screen (see highlighted text in your quote above). Again, the manual will tell you what to do with that 10 minute countdown.

Yes, I'm being vague because it has to do with deactivation of a security feature...and to prevent the work around from being easily found doing a google search (probably too late for that)...just follow the instructions in the manual as to what to do after the 10 minute countdown.

Good luck.

[kvc]

I came across this when I first purchased my car. I was waiting patiently for my kids to finish uni, parked outside listening to music. I had only bought the car that day and was 'playing' with things, discovering what did what. I vaguely remember coming upon a feature in the Nav unit that asked if I wanted to change the 'code'. I entered four digits of my own and the Nav unit did something or other, then the car wouldn't start! Oh shit... I got back to the place I was before and deleted the numbers I input and the Nav unit asked if I wanted to revert back (or something like that) to the former code. The vehicle was able to be started once again - phew... I don't even know what this is for but I've never played with it again. As the saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

[Qsilver7]

The "code" is for securing the car from being started/taken by someone that has excess to a working key.

For instance, if your relationship with a significant other is nearing its end...and you know that they know that your BMW is precious to you and that if they can somehow take it, or do something dastardly to it...you'd be truly hurt by it. Well, you can set a "code" (any number of your choosing between 0000-9999) and unless they can figure it out within 3 tries...the car won't start even though they may have access to your keys.

This can also be used if you have a rebelling teenager in your home that may be prone to sneaking out of the house, putting your BMW in neutral...then rolling it down the drive before starting it...as they gallivant around town during the middle of the night.

Another scenario may be if you have a family member that has addiction problems and may be prone to taking your car without asking...you can set a "code" to prevent them from being able to take the vehicle if they somehow get access to your keys.

A fourth and final example...you can prevent parking attendents from starting/moving/driving your vehicle if you are using a parking lot where you turn your keys in to an attendent..you can set a code prior to turning in your keys...and they won't be able to move/start your vehicle (make sure that you're not blocking anyone in case they need to move your vehicle to let someone out).

The "code" feature is one step further than the normal EWS system. EWS prevents anyone without a key from being able to start the car...the OBC "code" feature carries it further and prevents someone WITH a key from being able to start the car. Of course, you have to have the HIGH OBC which means either the Nav option...or the HIGH MID and HIGH instrument cluster. If you have the low MID & low instrument cluster...you don't have this feature:



Navigation instructions explained in the owners manual:



MID instructions explained in the owner manual:

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by philc

The gps screen shows 4 boxes with dashes in them under the boxes word ...deactivate & 9.59 min Where do I find the code it is asking for ??? philc...thanks

Can we assume that you were eventually successful in solving this issue based on the info from the owners manual since we haven't seen any resolution reply? Or did you find another way of deactivtingthe the code?

Just curious.