BMW Mini CD53 R50

Radio Code & DISABLE Repair Service

BMW Mini CD53 R50
Alpine 6 917 521


As originally fitted to the :

BMW Mini



If you are trying to fit this radio to a different vehicle, then you may find yourself with the Error message of "DISABLE". As well as having a conventional Radio Security Code number, this stereo is also electronically paired, or "Married" to the engine management system of the vehicle it came out of using very sophisticated CAN-BUS system technology.

When it is first powered up, it will communicate with the vehicle, and if communication has been successfull, it will prompt for the Code number to be entered in the normal way. If your radio is asking for a "CODE", and you do not know it, then we are able to decode and reset this radio if you send it to us via this service.

However, if removed and refitted into a different vehicle other than the original one, it will not recognise the encrypted CANBUS identification of the new car, and will instead display an error message of "DISABLE".

This Radio cannot therefore be transferred from one car to another, unless it has first been reset back into its original "Delivery Mode" with the internal CAN-BUS data memory reprogrammed for use with the new vehicle.

BMW Dealers may tell you that this stereo cannot be reprogrammed to go into another vehicle, but then thats what they said about other models, before we managed to reset the CAN-BUS system !!

We can reset the DISABLE Error message for this radio, and return it with a Code number allowing it to be used in a different vehicle, but you will need to send the unit to our workshop for this work to be carried out. Approx turnaround time is 48 hours from receipt to dispatch.

This radio is bolted in place by four bolts, and these will be hidden beneath the dashboard trim. Removal of the trim will depend largely on the vehicle it is fitted to, but should not present any real problems. Please consult your service manual if you are unsure how to go about this. Once the four bolts that secure the radio frame have been removed, the stereo will come out in a rather large lump and can then be unplugged.