A Ford Transit radio asks for its security code after the head unit loses its permanent live feed — a flat battery, a battery change, a jump start or the radio being unplugged. The code is held against the serial number of that head unit, not against the registration or VIN. Fitted units: Ford 6000CD, Ford Audio Basic, Sony DAB. Ignition to accessory so the unit powers up. Once you have the serial, enter it in the radio code finder on this page.
Radio codes belong to the head unit serial number, not the vehicle registration or VIN.
A flat battery, battery replacement or radio removal is what triggers the code prompt.
Covers Ford Transit 2000 to present (including Transit Custom and Connect).
Bob's never displays a guessed or generated code — if a working code can't be retrieved you get a full refund.
2000 to present (including Transit Custom and Connect). Ford 6000CD, Ford Audio Basic, Sony DAB
How to find the serial number:
Ignition to accessory so the unit powers up.
Hold presets 1 and 6 together for around five seconds.
Read the serial beginning with V, M or C.
Otherwise remove the unit with four Ford keys and read the casing label.
How to key the code in:
Presets 1 to 4 set each digit.
Hold preset 5 to submit the code.
Do not switch the ignition off midway — some units treat that as a failed attempt.
Worth knowing:
Most Transit and Transit Custom units are 6000CD-based — hold presets 1 and 6 with the ignition on to display the serial.
Basic-spec Transit Audio units (no CD) often will not display a serial and need pulling to read the label.
On the Transit Custom the radio sits high in the dash surround; the trim unclips from the top edge first.
If the van has a second battery or a converter's leisure setup, a flat leisure battery can still drop the radio's permanent live — worth checking before you assume a radio fault.
My Transit keeps asking for the code every few days That points to a poor permanent live or a failing battery rather than a radio fault. Check the battery terminals and the radio's permanent live fuse before repeatedly re-entering the code.
Is the Transit Connect the same as the Transit? The Connect often uses a different, more basic unit that will not display the serial on screen — so plan on removing it.
Can a jump start cause this? Yes. Any interruption to the permanent live feed, including a jump start where the terminals were removed, will trigger the code prompt.