Hi

I've browsed around and can't find an answer to this one, so apologies if it's dead obvious and I just missed it!

I have a Octavia Mk1 with Symphony Cassette Radio plus CD changer in boot.

I want to change to a Symphony mp3 head unit that I bought which came with its own code.

Unsure about the "rules" of these head units with codes remembered by car ...

If I replace the stock head unit with the new mp3 one, put in the security code for it and it's remembered by the car all is well.

However, if I need to go back to the stock unit, will the car still remember that unit as well, or will I need the code for the original unit to reprogram if I put it back in? If so, can I get the code from the car/HU somehow?

Or do I have to, as advised by a dealer, "book it in, they get some information, send it to Skoda, who send back the security code" and of course I have to pay for such tender loving care from my lovely dealer - at £95 per hour plus vat etc ......

Any advice gratefully received! I don't want to swap the units and find I have burnt my bridges with the old unit.

Thanks

The car will not remember the code for an aftermarket or other replacement unit. The permanent live keeps a feed to the stereo so it does not prompt for the code unless the power has been interrupted. The ECU will always carry the information for the original unit. You can find this code with a standard VAG OBDII reader, or any laptop with VAGcom.

I'm quite shocked your dealer would want to charge you for finding out the code for the original which your car will not forget. I fact I think they deserve a slap.

Thanks very much for the explanation.

Sorry to op for hijack! But does anyone know what size keys it is to remove the original head unit?

Junior hacksaw blade snapped in half works, iirc.... Basically something which will fit in the slots on the side of the HU.

I used the flat metal jacket clips from some ball point pens - just a long flat piece of metal that fits in the hole at each side and can be pushed back will do it