Help with Ford car radio code

Yes, as a matter of fact I searched everywhere online… and I did find one place, but the problem was that the code I was given, 201, cannot possibly work with my particular radio because it doesn't have a 0 button on it, only 1 through 6 and AS. So I was a bit confused about that, and still have no idea what my code should be. But that was a while ago, so I should probably try another search. Thanks for your reply!

You said there is a serial number-did you search specifically for the code related to that number? Often times when it comes to online searches it's just a matter of finding the exactly right search terms.

No, I haven't tried searching for any specific numbers. I found a forum where they were giving away the codes for free for a limited time. I gave the guy the serial number and all other relevant information, and he posted my code back to me. I have no idea how he would have found the code, but there were many other posters who he also helped out, and it had worked for them just fine.

I think I have tried the 1111 trick, but it didn't work.

So the obvious questions. Are you the original owner of this car? Did you buy it used, in which case the previous owner could have changed it from the default? If you are the first owner, are you sure you didn't change it yourself?

No, I'm not the original owner, and I definitely didn't change it myself. I have no idea what the previous owner did with it. I think what happens is that if the radio unit loses power for a prolonged period of time, it will revert back to the mode that I found it in, i.e. locked. No matter, I'll keep looking. I might just go to a Ford dealer after all, if I have no luck.

Do you know anything about computers? You know how they keep the time and date settings even when unplugged for a long time? Well they contain what is known as a CMOS battery, and it helps keep these settings.

For something like a radio that has a security code, you cannot allow it to reset just by powering down for a long time. If that were the case theft would be easy because you'd just have to wait a while then use the default code. I would be surprised if it DIDN'T have a battery that maintains this setting.

So if the last owner changed it, I think it will stay changed.

I know all about computers and CMOS as that was my main study course in college (computer systems, programming and electronics). I don't mean just powering it down, I mean the radio would have to have been completely disconnected. In this way, if it were to get stolen then you would need the specific code to get it to work again, not a factory default which would defeat the purpose. The place I tried last time needed the actual serial number of it, and the guy there obviously knew what he was doing as he had gotten the code for heaps of other people as well; there was no mention of any generic or default code. The unit is a radio cassette player, the original one that came with the car.