The "Symphony" Radio/CD player in our '03 Fabia has gone to "SAFE" mode, wihout us doing anything like disconnecting the battery...

Now, when it first happened, it was displaying "SAFE" alternating with "1000". I searched this forum, and found the advice relating to re-coding it. (Luckily, the code stickers are inside the radio manual...)

We tried tuning the ignition on and waiting, nothing happened.

Then we tried pressing the arrow buttons, nothing happened.

Finally, we tried keying in the code, got it wrong, and now the radio is stuck with "SAFE" on the display, doesn't change to "1000", and there's the number "2" showing in the bottom LH corner of the display.

I read something in the manual about leaving the radio switched on for one hour, after which it would let you try again... but this didn't happen either, after a long drive!

Are there any other options we can try, or does it have to go to the dealer ?

(I'm reluctant to pay them £50 for something I should be able to do myself, as I've already got the code!)

Any suggestions gratefully received...

When the radio shows SAFE pressing the store code button will awaken the radio.

As advised by Gadgetman when I had the same problem, use the arrow keys to get the display to change. This worked on mine but I didn't have the code. If your dealer is the last resort don't worry I pay just £13 quid.

Well thanks, chaps, but it just doesn't make any difference...

Pressing the ">" button (the one with the red led in it) or the ">>" button underneath it, the display stays the same, showing a small "2" on the bottom line, and a steady "SAFE".

Turning on the ignition (but without starting the engine), then switching on the radio, also makes no difference.

Looks like it's dealer time...

Mine did this, without the '2' but with a dim backlight. Nothing showed up on VAG-COM, so I declared it dead at the scene. Hope it's not the same for you, although at least replacements turn up on the 'bay at reasonable prices...

Just to clear this up, we got it working again !

When it says "leave the unit switched on for one hour", it means one continuous hour, with no switching off at all...

So, on a long mototrway run, suddenly it started flashing "SAFE" again, and I discovered I'd left the manual at home, with the code in it :(

Luckily, 'Her Outdoors' remembered the code, and all was well.

So, RTFM to me, and interpret it correctly !

Thanks for your suggestions, chaps.