How to find the security code for a hardcoded radio

What is a hardcoded radio model?

When it comes to vehicle radios equipped with security anti-theft codes, there are two types: newer models which store their codes digitally in a chip on the radio (such as an EEPROM), and older models which are "hardcoded" to a configuration of the analogue hardware on the radio's printed circuit board (PCB). This latter type is common on classic vehicles and radios manufactured in the 80s and 90s, and the analogue hardware configuration usually takes the form of diodes or jumper pads (also known as solder pads or links).

Until recently the only way to reliably decode most of these "hardcoded" models required experience with electronics, by opening up the radio and resoldering it to one of a handful of known configurations. However, after many of months of investment and R&D into these classic models, RapidRadioCodes is now able to retrieve the original manufacturer code for all of the below models without any resoldering required. For some models we're even able to do so instantly from the serial number alone, making us the first and only company in the world able to do so, and we're constantly working on adding more models to this list.

Supported models

The models below can be decoded from the serial number alone. Click on a model for more details.

The serial number will be engraved into a metal plate that is riveted onto the outside of the radio:

Serial number for a BMW CM5905 radio model

Once you have your radio's serial number, simply enter it into our instant BMW radio code generator.

The serial number for this model is usually engraved into the body of the radio:

Serial number for a Mercedes CM2190 radio model

Once you have your radio's serial number, simply enter it into our instant Mercedes-Benz radio code generator.

The serial number for this model is usually engraved into the body of the radio:

Serial number for a Mercedes CM2190 radio model

Once you have your radio's serial number, simply enter it into our instant Mercedes-Benz radio code generator.

The serial number for this model is usually engraved into the body of the radio:

Serial number for a Mercedes CM2190 radio model

Once you have your radio's serial number, simply enter it into our instant Mercedes-Benz radio code generator.

The models below can be decoded from the serial number and a picture of the current solder pad/diode configuration.

For now we decode these models completely free of charge while we work on decoding them from the serial number alone. Click on a model for more details.

The serial number will be engraved into a metal plate on the outside of the radio:

Serial number for a BMW CM5905 radio model

Open up the radio and take a picture of the jumper/solder pad configuration. This will be next to some numbers labeled TD:

Jumper/solder pads for a BMW CM5901 radio model

Take pictures of both of these and send them to us here.

The serial number will be engraved into a metal plate on the outside of the radio:

Serial number for a BMW CM5905 radio model

Open up the radio to find the jumper/solder pad configuration. This will be next to some numbers labeled TD:

Jumper/solder pads for a BMW CM5903 radio model

Take pictures of both of these and send them to us here.

The serial number will be engraved into a metal plate on the outside of the radio:

Serial number for a BMW CM5905 radio model

Open up the radio to find the jumper/solder pad configuration. This will be surrounded by numbered labels:

Jumper/solder pads for a BMW CM5907 radio model

Take pictures of both of these and send them to us here.

The serial number will be engraved into a metal plate on the outside of the radio:

Serial number for a BMW CM5905 radio model

Open up the radio and take a picture of the jumper/solder pad configuration. This will be next to some numbers labeled TDC:

Jumper/solder pads for a BMW CM5908 radio model

Take pictures of both of these and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by diodes inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its diode configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by diodes inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its diode configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by diodes inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its diode configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by diodes inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its diode configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by diodes inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its diode configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by diodes inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its diode configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by diodes inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its diode configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by diodes inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its diode configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by jumper/solder pads inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by diodes inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by jumper/solder pads inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by jumper/solder pads inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by jumper/solder pads inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by jumper/solder pads inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by jumper/solder pads inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by jumper/solder pads inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by jumper/solder pads inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.

This model's code is set by jumper/solder pads inside the radio. Take pictures of both the radio's serial number and its jumper pad configuration, and send them to us here.